Throughout my work as a school counselor, I liked to post Facebook status updates which were not actually status updates at all. Instead, they were quotes from the kids I worked with at the elementary school on a daily basis. Some of them are a priceless kind of hilarious. Others are probably only funny to … Continue reading Kids Say the Darnedest Things
Children
Things I Learned While Working Retail
I worked in the world of retail for a couple years after moving to the New River Valley. It was a dirty job, but it was a necessity. That extra paycheck was needed to help make ends meet. Over the course of my first few months working part-time, I made some observations. They include, but … Continue reading Things I Learned While Working Retail
The Single Guy vs. The Fifth Grader
Before I began attending Northstar Church, I had not had the opportunity to participate in many service projects. Actually, it wasn't that the opportunities weren't there. I simply didn't embrace them. The last time I had a genuine desire to help out in my community was way back during the college years. And since I … Continue reading The Single Guy vs. The Fifth Grader
Nap Time
Welcome to In the Words of a Non-Parent! The part of the blog where I, a non-parent, give parenting advice to parents. Today we explore what happens when your kids just won't go to sleep. It's frustrating, right? So you've put your toddler down for his or her afternoon nap and the kid just won't … Continue reading Nap Time
In the Words of a Non-Parent
Today's blog post comes as an idea from my friend Jessica. She suggested that it would be interesting to hear parenting advice from someone who isn't a parent. With as much time as I've spent among families and working with kids, she felt that I could offer some unique insights into the art of raising … Continue reading In the Words of a Non-Parent
A Letter to the President
I've never taken politics seriously. I mean, I take seriously the fact that there are men and women in positions of power throughout our country who make decisions that keep our government running. Sort of. The part I've never really taken seriously is the part where we, as citizens of the United States, are encouraged … Continue reading A Letter to the President
Question of the Week #70
When did you last yell at someone? Why? Did you later regret it? I do the vast majority of my yelling in either the safety of my car or in order to be heard over a large group of small humans. In the car, I feel like it's okay to yell because the idiot driver … Continue reading Question of the Week #70
Orange Conference 2016: A First-Timer’s Perspective
I’ve been hearing great things about the Orange Conference for years. Even before I became involved with Northstar’s children’s ministry, a friend encouraged me to attend the annual conference. He told me it would change my life. Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to join our kids’ ministry staff for three days in Atlanta … Continue reading Orange Conference 2016: A First-Timer’s Perspective
Dear Parents,
I am a Therapeutic Day Treatment Counselor. My job is to spend time with your troubled child while he or she is at school. I hang out with them in their classrooms. I provide encouragement and redirection as needed. I pull them out of class for the occasional one-on-one counseling session to work on goals … Continue reading Dear Parents,
Binging Parenthood
Did I type that right? When you binge watch something, are you binging the show? Because that looks like it should be pronounced bing-ing. Like Googling, except you, for some reason, use Bing. Why you'd do that to yourself, I don't know. But what I want you to hear in your head when you read … Continue reading Binging Parenthood
The Confusing Middle 