Here’s an activity that’s cheaper than school supplies…and I promise it’ll last a whole lot longer! It’s so easy for us to focus on what our kids might worry about this school year—making friends, liking their teacher, or struggling with something new.

But what if we sent them to school carrying confidence instead of our worries?

Have your child draw a picture of themselves and decorate it however they want. Then, around their picture, add positive “I AM” statements using the letters in their name.

For example, DANA:✨ I am Daring✨ I am Amazing✨ I am Nice✨ I am Adventurous

Have them read their “I AM” statements every morning before school. It takes less than a minute, but it’s a simple way to remind them who they are before someone tells them who they are not.

And then…post a picture of their masterpiece in our group chat! Let’s fill the group with…

Have you ever heard of Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)?

Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) isn't a diagnosis—it's a way some nervous systems respond to the feeling of rejection, criticism, or failure.

For a child with RSD, even a small correction or a simple "not this one" can feel much bigger than it does to others. What sounds like gentle feedback to you may feel like overwhelming rejection to them.

You might notice that:

• A small mistake leads to a huge meltdown.

• Being corrected feels unbearable.

One of the most challenging seasons for many adoptive and foster families is the preteen and teen years.During adolescence, a child's developmental task is to answer the question: "Who am I?" For most teens, that means exploring their interests, values, friendships, and future. But for children who have experienced foster care or adoption, that question often becomes much bigger.

They may wonder:

Who do I look like?

What are my biological parents like?

Do I have siblings?

Why was I placed in foster care or adopted?

Scripture: "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." — Genesis 1:31

I was reading in my devotion last week and came across this Scripture I've read many times before. But this time, I found myself thinking about the challenges of parenting—and about each of you. Have you ever noticed what God said after He created the world? He didn't stand back and say, "It is perfect." He said, "It is very good."

As I walk alongside so many of you, I see the weight you carry. You replay conversations in your mind, wonder if you handled a meltdown the "right" way, question whether you missed something important, or worry that you've somehow damaged your child. Many of you are raising children who have experienced trauma, and the pressure to get everything right can feel overwhelming. But God never asked you to be a perfect parent. He asks…

After more than 20 years as a trauma therapist, I can tell you one thing with confidence: parents are asking many of the same questions.

Every week, I sit with loving, exhausted parents who ask things like: "Why does my child lie?" "How do I handle meltdowns without making them worse?" "Is this behavior because of trauma, ADHD, anxiety, or something else?" "Am I doing enough?"

I wish I could share all of the stories and conversations I've had over the years because they would remind so many parents that they are not alone.

That's why I need your help.

I'm creating a growing Trauma-Informed Parenting Questions Library filled with real questions from real parents. This resource will provide practical, trauma-informed guidance while creating a place where families can learn from one another without anyone's personal story being shared. Your question doesn't have to be unique. In fact, it probably isn't—and…

If you're looking to raise a child who is confident, resilient, and grounded in both truth and grace, Capable by Sissy Goff is a must-read.

Sissy has a remarkable way of combining biblical wisdom, practical parenting strategies, and brain-based insights into a book that is both encouraging and incredibly actionable. Rather than focusing on raising perfect kids, she helps parents raise children who believe, "With God's help, I can do hard things."

I especially appreciate how Capable equips parents to understand anxiety, build resilience, and nurture confidence without relying on shame, fear, or pressure. The book is filled with practical ideas you can begin using immediately while continually pointing families back to God's faithfulness and the secure foundation found in Christ.

Whether your child struggles with worry, self-doubt, perfectionism, or simply needs encouragement to grow in confidence, this book offers hope and practical guidance. It's one of those resources you'll find yourself…

Back-to-school shopping can bring excitement, but it can also bring big emotions, disagreements, and stress—for both parents and kids. These trauma-informed scripts are here to give you simple, practical words to use in those challenging moments so you can stay connected while still holding healthy boundaries.

Script 1: The Clothing Item You Don't Approve Of

Parent: "I can tell you really like this shirt. But I am not comfortable buying this. I know that's disappointing."

Pause and allow emotion.

"Let's keep looking together and see if we can find something that gives you the same style while staying within the boundaries I'm responsible for."