How (and Why) to Revive Family Dinners
More often than not, the choice to stay away from the dinner table is made with little to no thought.
What We Have Vs. What We Have Not
“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not. Remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” –Epicurus
What Kind of “Tator” Are You?
I want to use a Thanksgiving meal favorite to illustrate an important concept…being yourself in this crazy world.
Tell Our Veterans That You Value Their Valor!
All of us could send text messages or emails to members (or friends) of the family who have served in the military and say how much we appreciate their contributions to the safety and security of our nation.
Work for Your Money, Then Make Sure It Works for You
If you don’t have the money for a particular thing, do not buy it. People get into debt (and trouble) when they spend money they don’t have.
Ghosts, Ghouls, and Gratitude
I am thankful for the opportunity to write to you every week, and I hope you will have a great weekend and a safe Halloween.
How to Overcome Fear and Seize Opportunities
Just keep your head up and your eyes open. Something good might be about to come your way.
Autumn, Anniversaries, and Adventures
JOKE OF THE WEEK: Why did the pumpkin lose the boxing match?
He let his gourd down.
Ways to Slow Down, Let Loose, and Get Organized
With the cooler weather, this is a great time to put away your tank tops, shorts, and sandals and to bring out your sweaters and hoodies.
September, a Stadium, and Your Smile
The world is negative by nature. Let’s interject a bit of optimism, “wear a cheerful countenance at all times, and give every living creature you meet a smile.”
A Better Perspective on Wins and Losses
I hope this week has been good to you. As you know, with this time of year comes FOOTBALL TIME in Tennessee.
A Club, a Comedy, and a Commercial
Although they were talking about fast food, the message is still valid in broader way…
Look for the Magic in New Beginnings
No matter what new beginning may pop up in your life, I hope you face it with your head held high and a determination to do your best.
How to Survive When Receiving Harsh Criticism
I must admit that when I read the negative review, it just about killed me. Then I put it into perspective…
How to Cope With a Looming Health Crisis
Any time you think something is off-kilter within your body, you need to listen to yourself. It is better to go to the doctor and find out it’s nothing than to ignore the issue and later realize it’s serious.
Cruising, College, and Carpe Diem
The next few weeks will be a great time to reconnect with your friends who were not easy to communicate with during the summer. It is also a wonderful time to meet new people.
Dreams, Doubts, and Dance Parties
As the new school year begins, whether you are in high school or will pursue higher learning in a trade school, community college, or university, don’t be afraid to make time to do something fun.
Yes, It’s Perfectly OK to Have Relationship Questions
Dating is how you get to know different types of people to see if they are compatible with you. So, don’t think you must have all of the answers now.
Learn to Keep Your Wits When Things Go Wrong
Murphy’s Law definitely contains an element of truth. How you respond to situations that are not ideal (and certainly not planned) will determine how you get through them.
Make Safety a Top Priority as You Celebrate
I’m deeply grateful for the vigilance of trained lifeguards. They do a great job of keeping those water-crazy people of all ages safe as they have fun every day.
What to Do When You’re Busy as Can Be
I have to say that for me, this week has been a challenge. I think I have too many things going on.
Celebrate Time With the Person You Call “Dad”
Fathers don’t need to be blood related. They just must love you, accept you as you are, and encourage you to shoot for your dreams.
Thoughts on Connection and Action
We need to do the “next right thing.” I believe that we as a people want to do better as soon as we know better.
Why Our Failures Are Just as Important as Our Successes
We need to calmly pick up the pieces of our “bad day” and know that we can make the proverbial lemonade out of lemons.
How to Pursue True Freedom
While military life isn’t for everyone, I want to thank not only the servicemen and women in our country, but also their families. They make many sacrifices when their loved ones are not home.
How to Avoid Feeling Isolated This Summer
Since it is the end of the school year, this week I want to encourage you to pick one or two friends—fellow students, or just acquaintances—and commit to reaching out to them over the summer.
Musings on Mothers and Motherhood
Your mom will always be your mother, no matter how many other mother figures you have in your life. As a mother myself, I can testify that raising children is not for the faint-hearted.
How to Make the Most of Your Last School Days
I hope you’ll savor the last bit of school year with your friends and teachers. I will certainly miss my colleagues and the students over the summer.
Thoughts on Renewal and Change
If you have things in your life that you want to change, focus on only one at a time. If you try to change too many things at once, any failure to meet the desired outcome will cause frustration.
What Baseball Teaches Me About Life
Of all the spectator sports, I love baseball the best. It’s interesting, I understand it, and I know how many players are on each team and what they do.
Strategies for Building Service in Communities
With a smartphone and a connection to the internet, more people can access therapists from the comfort of their homes.
How to Find the Courage to Stand Alone
We all have things we do because we want to fit in with our peers, but then there is a part of us that yearns to be different. We long to do that one thing to make us stand above the others.
Pursue Only What You Actually Want
Don’t take on things that you don’t believe you need to be doing. It does great harm to your body, mind, and even your emotional well-being.
What to Do If You’re Sleep-Deprived
Does your child have trouble falling asleep and sleeping through the night? Do your kids’ sleep issues keep you from getting the rest you need to function well?
Learn to Use Time Well as You Accomplish Your Goals
Learn how making lists and setting priorities can help us become as effective with our time as possible and feel great as we complete important tasks.
Is It Possible to Intentionally Increase Confidence?
When you think of a superhero, the attributes of confidence, success, and accomplishments come to mind. This has a lot to do with the way they present themselves.
How to Find the Courage to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
You may be intrigued by a field of study that is exciting but also scary to you. Don’t hold yourself back from an opportunity just because of fear.
Experience “Magic” as You Make Your Dreams Come True
Your dreams motivate you to get out there and make a difference in the world. You’ve got this.
Why We Need to Stop Bullying
No one deserves ridicule for thinking for themselves. … We should be encouraging one another, not tearing each other down.
How to Become Fluent in Body Language
We know that effective communication combines both verbal and nonverbal aspects. Sometimes our body language can send signals that conflict with the words we say out loud.
What to Do on Days Filled With Doubt
Lately, I keep having thoughts that we shouldn’t have said “yes,” and that if we hadn’t become foster parents, then things would be different, calmer, and more peaceful. I wouldn’t lose my cool ALL of the time.
How to Correct a Wrong Definition of Success
Even if, like me, you see areas where you feel like you are failing, be sure to acknowledge your success and not just your failures.
How to Deal with the Challenges of a Blended Family
I want to encourage you to take a look at the family that surrounds you. Each person is special and has a great deal to contribute.
Tips for Navigating an Adventurous Life
Whatever you are working toward, I wish you much luck and hope the journey brings you satisfaction.
Passion, Procrastination, and Positive Results
2021 has taught me to never give up on my dreams, no matter what they are or what others think about them.
Confidence, Coffee, and Christmas Presence
I hope the holiday will be a good one for you, and more than any present you receive, know that YOU are the gift the world needs.
Talents, a Train, and Trauma Survivors
No matter how you express it, you were created with a special something that makes you truly unique. When you figure out what that talent is and use it to make yourself and others happy, you are fulfilling your purpose.
Snowmen, Scrooge, and Self-Reliance
This week I want to talk about becoming self-reliant, which means doing as many things for yourself—by yourself—as possible…
Independence
Even though his mother declined his request to go overnight with his peers, he walked away from the conversation with confidence. Knowing what he could do to make the request a reality, he overcame his anxiety of asking for independence.
Adoptions, Apartments, and Alphabets
We should never stop dreaming, and we need to give ourselves permission to shoot for the moon.
Pet Names, Peers, and Podcasts
Max is one of the most popular names for a male pet, and I have lobbied to name several of our animals Max, only to be outvoted. So, what did I do?
Stop the Bleed
Unfortunately, people can end up bleeding in a lot of situations—whether a car accident, a mass shooting, or a knife injury in the kitchen. If more people knew how to respond to these situations, many lives could be saved…
Thanksgiving, Turkeys, and Tall Tales
This week I want to encourage you to be thankful for the people in your life. When Thanksgiving Day comes and you gather with friends or family, hug those around you one more time. Listen to the familiar stories one more time.
Soldiers, Scars, and Self-Confidence
Be confident in who you are and what you can accomplish, but also know that your self-esteem isn’t tied to your present belief about yourself.
Contentment, the Container Challenge, and a Cautionary Tale
The older I get, the more I realize that I don’t need things. I’d rather have experiences with people, and I want to make sure they know that I appreciate them and am thankful for their presence in my life.
Fall Festivities, Funny Guys, and Fear of Failure
We have finally made it to that long-awaited October holiday, Halloween. Sunday night is sure to be a lot of fun. I hope your family enjoys the traditions you’ve created for this fall celebration.
Autumn, Anger, and Advocacy
The wisdom I wish to impart to you this week is about advocating for your own health needs. … You know your own body, and it’s important to speak up if something seems abnormal.
Gas Stations, Greed, and a Getaway Vehicle
My “tank empty” warning light came on 13 miles from the next turn of my trip, where I knew for certain I could find fuel. I had no idea if I had enough reserve gas in the tank to make it to the closest gas station…
Hot Drinks, Halloween, and Helping Others
What I want you to see is that if everyone in the world would pick just ONE THING that matters to them and then would step in and help, the world would be a kinder place.
How to Protect Yourself from Physical Danger
(The presenter for this teen workshop was Lieutenant Daniel Francis, who has been working for 15 years in the Chattanooga Police Department. He is also an instructor for basic self-defense.) The very best way to protect your personal safety is to develop the following four strategies: (1) risk awareness, (2) risk reduction, (3) risk recognition, and (4) …
How to Talk So Others Will Listen
The way we communicate is very important, because it gives other people one of their first impressions of us and is a key tool for building healthy relationships. Our communication skills demonstrate the level of respect we have for ourselves, our friends, our family, and others we meet.
Planning, Pacing, and Projects
This is the time of year when a person is at great risk of being overcommitted. I want to encourage you to either use the calendar in your phone or a physical planner and block out dates for fun activities, as well as time for just taking care of you.
Potential, Perseverance, and Power
The teen years are among the most challenging in life, because you feel pressed from all sides to know “right now” who you are and what you want to become.
Personal Risk Management Insurance 101
(In our teen workshop on personal risk management, Nick Bosco explained the often-confusing lingo of insurance policies and premiums. With prior careers in engineering and telecommunications, he says that owning a Farmers Insurance agency in Chattanooga for the past seven years is the most rewarding job he’s ever had.)
Fitness, Family, and Focus
Why is it that I can imagine myself exercising to be more healthy…but NEVER do it? If I were to put as much energy into walking my dogs as I do writing my next scene, I would be much farther ahead in my weight loss goals.
Invisibility, Individuality, and Influence
You want to surround yourselves with people who don’t always think like you, but instead challenge you to be your better self. You also want to be strong enough in your own thoughts and opinions that others don’t bowl you over and keep you from your own individuality.
How to Deal With Emotions That Can Lead to Self-Harm and Suicide
(This is a recap of an interactive teen workshop by Arianne Brigner, LPC-MHSP, who provides comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy to teens and adults in the Chattanooga area. A therapist for 17 years, she loves to help clients learn to tolerate uncomfortable emotions that can lead to self-harm, drinking, drugs, suicide, and other impulsive behaviors.) Learning to deal …
How to Deal With Emotions That Can Lead to Self-Harm and Suicide Read More »
Opportunities, Obligations, and Overcommitment
Happy Friday, RISERS! This is a holiday weekend, so I hope you’ll find a bit of rest from your labors. I have been very blessed to be able to do work that I enjoy. It still gets challenging from time to time, but that’s okay, because if we never had any challenges with our jobs, …
Action, Aromas, and Accomplishment
Now, with Fall quickly approaching, it’s a great time to put good intentions into action. Let’s get outside and ENJOY!
ADULT WORKSHOP: Preparing Your Child for a Successful School Year
This adult workshop shares practical ways to help your child(ren) have a successful school year. Most foster kids are behind in school due to the trauma they have experienced, and COVID-19 has compounded these issues. Try these 25 simple strategies to help your teens become the best they can be.
Dreams, Decisions, and Damsels in Distress
Many of you are trying to decide what career field to go into as you get ready to graduate from high school and move to college. Don’t believe anyone who tries to tell you that you aren’t supposed to enjoy your career, or that you’ll be stuck in a dull nine-to-five existence and hate it…
Changes, Challenges, and Choices
It doesn’t seem possible that we are almost to the middle of August already. Next comes the beginning of high school and college football games, falling leaves, and cooler weather…
Brain Architecture: Building Strong Foundations and Responding to Trauma
Early experiences literally shape how the brain gets built, establishing either a sturdy or a fragile foundation for the development and behavior that follows. A strong foundation in the early years increases the probability of positive outcomes. Learn about how this may affect you and how you can help make your brain stronger.
Possibilities
What doors can we open, if we open the door for creativity and chasing our dreams? Hope. People living instead of just existing…
Delight, Debate, and a Droid
Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope that this week has been good to you and that you’ll have a safe, enjoyable weekend. Sleep in late…take a nap…eat one treat that makes you happy.
Teach Your Children Well
In this parent workshop, Love’s Arm advocacy team members Mimi Nikkel and Brandon Culpepper addressed the important topic of sex trafficking. They shared how parents can recognize the signs of human trafficking, help their children establish a healthy sexual identity, and teach their kids SMARTS.
Baseball, a Book, and Back-to-School
I hope you have made the most of your summer vacation, and if you are going back to school, I hope it will be your best year yet. With the weekend almost here, just sit back and relax and do that one thing that makes you happy.
Unleash Your Potential
What are your capabilities? What is that fire in you dying to escape? Everyone has a great amount of potential, and so many hold it back.
Help and Hope for People With Addiction
The following recap highlights a teen workshop presented by Kimberly W. Cohen of New Season addiction and recovery center. She has worked with families since 2001, addressing issues such as teen addiction, trauma, suicide, loss of family, and foster care placement. She is also the mother of five children and five grandchildren.
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.
