Risks, Rewards, and Relaxation
You must take some risks to get the huge rewards, but don’t be afraid to try. Sometimes the most awesome things come from that one moment of bravery where you dare to do something you’ve never done before.
Strengthening Your Brain
A healthy brain can solve problems, feel happy, be creative, and improve the overall health of the body. To keep your brain healthy, you need three basic things: oxygen, nutrients, and practice.
Peace, Passion, and Potential
The movie I want to recommend this week is Racing Stripes. Yes, that is the story about a zebra who thinks he’s a horse. This movie is special because…
Fridays, Friendship, and the Future
While this world is crazy, be sure to be intentional with your work, your friends, and above all, yourself. Don’t get caught up in the “have-tos” of your daily life. …
Never Too Busy to Parent
Over the years in my counseling practice, I noticed that the majority of teenagers would refuse to tell their parents about their innermost feelings. The thought of having to express themselves after experiencing depression, bullying, loneliness, suicide, or sadness felt overwhelming. As one teenager explained, “it seems to be too much of a hassle” to …
Fear: Darkness vs. Light
People fear what they lack understanding of, because it is unknown territory. People fear the unknown more than anything and usually try to stick with things they know, because it is comfortable and predictable with a safety net.
Straight Talk about Sex Trafficking: Hot’s NOT Cool
(In this teen workshop, Love’s Arm advocacy team members Mimi Nikkel and Brandon Culpepper addressed the important topic of sex trafficking. In the process of explaining how to be safe online and protect yourself against predators, they discussed five different subjects: who you are, what you like, “no” is a good word, sex does not define you, and stupid smartphones.)
Friday, Fireworks, and the Fourth of July
Happy Friday, RISERS! I can’t believe we are heading into a holiday weekend. Sunday is the Fourth of July, and that means…
Own the Beauty in You
Good and bad people don’t really exist. We are all both good and bad, because we are human. You can’t know good without the bad, and vice versa; you must choose based on the desires of your heart and what you truly want.
Writing—for Academics and Life
(This recap features Denise Johnson, a high school English teacher who led a teen workshop on writing.)
Our Children, Our Future
When you impact the life of a child in a positive or negative way, you are creating the hearts, hands, voices, and minds of tomorrow. Do you want to leave a lasting impression on this Earth that is positive or negative?
Fridays, Fun, and Foster Care
Happy Friday, RISERS! I want to thank you for the opportunity to interact with you and look forward to catching you right here every week.
13 Qualities All Good Babysitters Share
(This workshop recap features advice from Jessica Perkins, a preschool worker—who has been in the education system for as long as she can remember—and a mom of four.) Babysitting may seem like it’s all “fun and games,” but the job includes more responsibilities than you might think. I want to share a dozen and one …
DREAM
What would I tell my teenage self? Dream bigger. Shoot higher. Shine brighter. Embrace being different, unique, and special. Own the beauty in you. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something else is more important than that fear. Chase your dreams!! The only true failure is never trying at all. …
5 Ways to Improve Family Interactions
(This recap is from a parent workshop by Cara Morales, who works with teens, couples, and families in difficult seasons of life, such as divorce or bereavement. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, professional clinical counselor, and parenting coach who has worked extensively to help high school students overcome depression, anxiety, self-harm behaviors, …
Time Management
(This workshop recap is from a recent teen workshop by Robin Turnipseed, a former high school teacher who is now a mother of two, a writer, and the owner of Placementofprettythings.com. She shared several useful tips and tricks on managing time—and self—and how this can lead to a more successful life.)
Conflict Resolution
Keep these tips in mind to help you work toward resolution when confronted with conflict!
How Adoption Changed My Life
Mami’s life has shown me how great an impact one person can have regardless of age, race, or income.
Internet Safety For Teens
The internet can be used for good, like sharing creative things like your artwork,
writing, etc. but keeping in mind the darker things about it and staying safe with the information you share to other people.
Tennessee Fosters Hope
Yes, it’s hard but we can do
hard things. You’ve done hard things before too.
Computers 101
The best thing about online work is that it is easy to stay organized and to have what you need when you need it.
Shepherds for our Children
We are excited to share this recap of a recent Parent Workshop we hosted, led by the Shepherds of Men!
Tips for Public Speaking
Public speaking is something that makes many people nervous, but it helps us improve our communication skills, interview for jobs, stand up to bullies, and even increase our self-esteem!
How To Supercharge Your Motivation Every Day
These ideas may be simple, but they’re profound. Put these to work in your own life and
watch the success appear before you!
Keeping Our Kids Safe Online
It can be scary to think about just how easily our children might encounter predators online.
Your Child’s Biggest Cheerleader
Your words can bring your children life and strength during these perilous times.
Accountability For Students During COVID-19
Students are not receiving the accountability and support they are used to. Couple this with the stress that students are facing and this combination makes it even harder for them to learn.
Budget Tips For Teens
Thinking about budgeting and saving money can be overwhelming, so we have gathered our favorite budget tips to get you started!
The Challenges Teens Are Facing During COVID-19
While everyone has been impacted by Covid-19, students have taken an especially hard hit with the loss of routine, peer interaction, educational opportunity, and social milestones.
Rising to the Challenge
Life since we choose to foster and adopt has been just like we expected….. Said no foster or adoptive parent ever!
Into the Depths
The moment we told that someone to place our home study on these children, we knew we would be delving into the depths of the sea with them, because giving up on them was not an option.
