Dear Sugar: Hair, Oh, Hair, and Skin, Four years and Two Kids Later

Several years ago, I wrote this post that became my second most popular blog post ever.  To this day, I get the most questions about hair and skin care routines.   So:  ask and you shall receive!  

Here is an update on the kiddos’ hair, product recommendations, storage, hair resources, and more.  Fair warning, this is a long post, so I tried to create headings so you can read what applies to you and what you're most interested in, and I also included a lot of links so you can easily find the things we're using:   

1:  My oldest.

My oldest daughter has 4A hair: shrinkage, tight curls.  She gets her hair professionally braided every month:  beaded cornrows with extensions.    In her hair, I use a spray consisting of jojoba oil (1/4) and aloe vera juice (3/4); this is put in a cheap-o spray bottle found in the travel-items section at any store.   For the leave-in (the moisturizer I put in before she gets her hair braided), I make a mix of shea butter and coconut oil (refined, because I don’t like the smell of coconut).   When her extensions come out, her hair is STILL moisturized.  (For those new to Black hair, we use the LOC method:  liquid, oil, conditioner.  Some use the LCO method:  liquid, conditioner, oil.  Experiment and see what works for your child.)

I wash her hair with shampoo and conditioner once a month, when her extensions are removed.   I moisturize her scalp when the extensions are in with the spray I described above.   

  

I know some parents-by-adoption do not want to pay the money to have their children’s hair braided, especially white parents who might be a bit shocked by the cost involved.  Furthermore, some parents prefer to do hair themselves for bonding and convenience.

I think it’s great for a parent-child to bond over the act of doing hair; however, I also think it’s important that our children have relationships with people of color, and one way foster relationships and instill cultural values is via the hair-styling process.  And obviously, you pay the stylist.   (We tip 20%, always.)    

 

We usually trim both girls’ hair twice a year.  Beads and bands can damage hair-ends.  And swimming certainly can take a toll on ends, too.   Trimming involved sectioning hair off into small sections, using my (sharp) sewing scissors, placing the hair end between two fingers, and cutting just above the sides of my fingers.   I might snip a ½ inch to an inch depending on the damage to ends.   I know this is hard for some parents to do because growth can take a long time, but it’s important to keep hair healthy and strong.    If trimming the hair yourself makes you nervous, see a professional.  

2:  My second.

My second daughter has 3B hair: fine and long.  She’s tender-headed and doesn’t like when her hair is “big” (aka:  free).  She’s pretty athletic and doesn’t like her hair interfering with her activites!  So we only do free hair for family pictures or special occasions.   Her go-to style: box braids with beads or Gabby Bows on the ends; this usually lasts us about a week.   We use several different products, as I’m not currently committed to one.  We’ve used Mixed Chicks leave-in, Organix coconut leave-in, Curls (smells like cake---yum!), and currently we’re using Cantu.  I almost always do her hair.

      

For shampoo and conditioner (and we very rarely shampoo), we are currently using Organix coconut.   It’s affordable, it smells nice, and it gets the job done!  

With this daughter, I remove her bands with nail clippers and any hair accessories, wash her hair with her braids IN (because she has SO much hair that washing free hair is a complete tangled mess), and then take the braids out, detangle, spray and moisturize, and re-style.   Once every 4 washes, I take the braids out to get at her scalp better, but this is really hard on a tender-headed kiddo!  

She has a lot of baby hairs, so I use a cheap toothbrush (usually the ones they get free at the dentist) and gel.  I put a dollop of gel in the palm of my hand, rub the toothbrush in it, and then comb her baby hairs down with the toothbrush, adding gel as needed.  She's recently been taking on this task herself!  

3:  My third.

My son has 4C hair, and we keep his hair in a short fade and have it cut at the Black barber shop just two minutes from our house.   We detangle, moisturize with Curls, or and use a sponge to coil his hair.   I’ve seen some fabulous longer hair styles on boys, but my son is very active and a sensory seeker, so he wouldn’t sit to have his hair styled, nor would the style remain kept for very long.  Short hair is definitely the way to go with him.  I co-wash his hair 1-2x a week; because of his sensory seeking, he doesn't shy away from putting things in his hair or rolling around outside!  

4:  My youngest.

At only five months old, her hair is pretty long, and is a 2C!   We detangle and moisturize with Curls and the style with a barrette or headband.    This is a tough age.   Babies who sleep on their backs can rub out a lot of their hair, which we’re definitely seeing right now.  Also, car seats, pack-n-plays, etc. can rub hair out too.   It is just a stage, and parents need to remember that a baby’s safety is the priority.  Hair will grow back in! 

Another struggle of ours right now is that she LOVES her binky and when saliva gets trapped between her binky and her skin, it’s causing discoloration.   Though there’s no way to completely prevent this (except take the binky away, which we will NOT do), we have found that nipple cream (yes, like the kind moms use when nursing) is incredible.  It’s safe for digestion (obviously!) and doesn’t contain all the nasty chemicals that Vaseline does.   Nipple cream is great for very chapped lips (in winter, especially) and on chapped cheeks too. 

Product storage:

 

We continue to keep hair products organized with shower caddies.  They have several deep sections, perfect for holding combs and product bottles, and each child has his/her own.   I also love that it has a handle, so it’s easily carried.    Additionally, the durable plastic never breaks and holds up to being wiped out or washed.    

When we travel, the caddies to with us so the products remain upright and organized.   They sit nicely in the bottom of one of the large 31 bags. 

Bows and headbands are in jewelry organizers hung in the closet.  The clear jewelry pouches make it easy to keep pairs of matching bows together.  And headbands stay put by straddling compartments with the ends tucked into the compartments.   This helps headbands stay visible and hold their shape well.  I like to buy these at TJMaxx or Marshall's for $8-$10 each.  They are double-sided, so they hold A LOT of hair accessories.  

Beads are in large baggies by type.  All our jumbo beads are together, all our medium sized beads are together, all our Gabby Bows are together, all the ballies together, etc.   We used to separate by color and size, but it got to be too many containers, they got dropped and mixed up, and it was just too time consuming to sort in this manner.  

Protection:

When my girls were younger and their heads were smaller, we used sleep caps from Africa Sleeps.  They lasted SO long.  We still have caps from four years ago.  Now that their heads are big enough, we use the cheaper satin sleep caps.  

When swimming in chlorinated (such as a hotel) pool, my girls wear a tight sleep cap with a swim cap over it.  This keeps most of the water out.   Using a swim cap alone does more harm than good.  The material rips at hair.    When they swim at our house in the summers, we don’t use swim caps.   Honestly, the girls hate them and we don’t see many kids wearing swim caps anyway.  

Beauty-on-the-go:

My girls each have a small “beauty” kit in their school bag:  hand sanitizer, a mini bottle of lotion, lip balm.   I encourage them to use what they need to throughout their day.  

I carry non-scented lotion in the car and in the baby’s diaper bag.  

The kids all have satin pillowcases over their booster seats.  They are inexpensive and easily washable.  (We use the same ones on their bed pillows).  

Skin moisture:

We have tried several different lotions for the kids.   One of my children has eczema which can be aggrevated by certain products (since eczema, allergies, and asthma go hand-in-hand for many kids).  Some brands we like include Avalon Organics, Jason’s, Burt’s Bees.   Straight up coconut oil doesn’t really work.  I feel like it doesn’t absorb well and it does leave skin a bit greasy.   We also like the Sugar Plum Fairy (sparkle) lotion from Africa Sleeps, though it is seasonal (Christmas, usually.  So when you buy it, be sure to get a few before they go out of stock).     

We are more picky about the ingredients in lotions than hair products, simply because skin is a person’s largest organ and it essentially “drinks” what is put on it.    The more natural, organic, and green, the better.   Though arguably, the healthier lotions do not work as well as the tried-and-true products.   We tend to err on the side of caution and believe “pay for it now or pay for it later.”   Healthier products are more expensive, but not putting lotions on the skin that have hormone-disrupting qualities may pay off in the future. 

Hair picture books for kids:

Reading books about hair is SO important.  The more we can affirm our children, the better.  Here are our favorites:  

I Love My Hair

Bippity Bop Barber Shop

Haircuts at Sleepy Sam’s

I Love My Cotton Candy Hair

Penny and the Magic Puffballs

Princess Truly and the Hungry Bunny Problem

And of course, who can forget that incredible Sesame Street segment I Love My Hair?  We know it word-for-word! 

Overwhelmed?   Take a deep breath!  If you’re new to Black hair or you are preparing to adopt a Black child:

1:  Talk to your friends of color.   Get tips, ask for demonstrations, product recommendations, etc.  You can also ask what styles are age appropriate, and geographically appropriate, for your child. 

2:  Take your child to a Black hairstylist.  Get professional help!   

3:  Do your research.   YouTube and sites dedicated to Black hair are helpful.  Pinterest, too!  I learned to cornrow watching YouTube, because I couldn’t get it just watching a friend do it live.  I needed a video to re-visit many times.  

4:  Do not feel like you need to be a professional or aim for the most intricate styles.  Simple styles and healthy hair are more important than you focusing all your energy on intricate styles while neglecting hair health.   Also, not all styles are meant for your child’s hair.  Black hair is beautiful and versatile.   Knowing your child's hair type can help you determine appropriate styles.  For example, my second child's hair doesn't hold styles for nearly as long as her older sister's because her hair has a looser curl and her hair is silky and fine.  

5:  Nail down a routine.   What helps your child be able to sit for a haircut, a detangling session, a styling session?  Make it as fun as possible.   Have special toys in the tub just for hair washing time.  Let the child help you pick out her hair bead colors/patterns.   Offer to let the child watch a favorite movie or play a favorite game while you style.  And don’t shy away from offering rewards and incentives, because they usually work!    Do hair when you have the time, patience, and energy.   And you are NOT a failure if you opt to have it professionally done.  Remember, having a Black man or woman do your child's hair is an excellent opportunity.  

6:  Practice, practice, practice.   For me, because my kids have pretty different hair types, practicing on a mannequin head, which some parents do, wasn’t helpful.   I needed to do MY child’s hair.   Practice really does make perfect.  

I post our kids’ latest hairstyles fairly often on Instagram, so keep up with me there!  

-This post contains Amazon affiliate links.  

Dear Sugar: How to Have a Family Reading Night

Last month, my husband and I decided we needed to put something on the calendar for our family each week that involved connection and calmness.  

This is NOT easy to do with four energetic kids.   And definitely not in the evenings when it seems that “all hell breaks loose.”    

But it’s been four weeks, and it’s going shockingly well!    So here’s how we did it:

1:  Chose a day.

For us, it’s Wednesday nights.  No one has any sort of activity.   And we mainly picked it because it’s the middle of the week (Hump Day) and a pick-me-up is necessary.  It also tends to be a night when most of us are emotionally stable (meaning it’s not the Monday blues or the Thursday-crazy-get-stuff-done-before-the-weekend).  

2:  Set a few rules.

For us, Family Reading Night doesn’t happen until dinner is eaten, dishes are taken to the sink, the kids are bathed, teeth are brushed, and they’re in their pajamas.   And clothing for the next day has to be already chosen.  The must be completely ready for bed.

Our other rules:  no electronics, no apps (even “educational” ones), no movies.   Not even books-on-CD.   

3:  Setting.

We opted for our living room.  We have a new, huge plush rug that’s perfect for sitting and playing and reading.  The kids bring in their sleeping bags so they have a set place to sit.  Plus sleeping bags are great for snuggling and relaxing.   We turn off the overhead lights and stick to lamps and our screened-in porch bulb strands for light.   We may or may not have our jazz playlist on.  

4:  Have your supplies ready.

Earlier that day, or the day before, gather up everything you need to make your night successful.  (An alternative is to have a designated basket, box, or storage bin that holds your supplies.)   We opt for the following:

• BOOKS:  These include library finds from the week and/or themed books for the month.  For example, since it’s Women’s History Month, we gathered picture books focusing on women.  Make sure you have books for everyone’s age and interest:  board books, picture books, chapter books, etc.  For sensory-seeking kids, lift-a-flap and touch-and-feel books are helpful. 
• FLASHCARDS:  Touch and feel, educational (such as these Black history) cards, learn-a-language, etc.     
• LITERACY GAMES:   An alphabet floor puzzle, matching pairs, story cards, letter magnets (used on a cookie sheet), etc. 
• LOVIES:  These can be dolls, stuffed animals, etc.  They can be used to act out stories OR are simply there for cuddles.  Some of our favorite African American dolls include Peter from The Snowy Day and the Corolle dolls (this one is adorable!) because their quality is excellent and the dolls are realistic looking.   
• LIGHT SOURCES:  You may or may not have flashlights for each child.   For us, this is more of a distraction than a help.  If you have a fireplace, lighting that for ambiance would be lovely.  Other options include kid-safe lanterns (my son has a Thomas the Train one) or battery-operated candles.   
• “WORK” BOOKS:  Word-search (pick these up at the dollar store) and Mad-Lib books.   Be sure to have washable markers on hand for these, since you’re likely sitting on the floor and might get marker on clothes, rug, or skin.  Our favorite markers are the multicultural skin-tone markers by Crayola, though I'd use them for art and not just to mark words on a word-search book.  
• SENSORY:  For kiddos with sensory needs, have what they require nearby:  wiggle cushion, chewy necklace (these are our favorite due to durability and affordability), fidget toy, skin brush, etc.   You can use Playdoh and letter stamps as a sensory-friendly literacy activity.  
• SPECIAL SNACK:  We have chosen not to do this, as our reading time is right after dinner and the kids’ teeth are already brushed, but if you want to, include a simple, delicious snack that’s easy to clean up.  I suggest a homemade trail mix or popcorn, made in advance, and spill-proof cups.  

5:  Time frame.

Decide how long you’re reading time will last.  We decided as long as things were going well, we’d continue, but as soon as child #1 started melting down, it was time to wrap things up.   If our time was only 15 minutes, so be it.  If it lasts an hour or more, great.  If we have to stop fairly early, you can always have older kids move to their rooms and continue reading while you put younger kids to bed.   

It’s important to note that we have opted NOT to take away this time as punishment.  Again, if a child is melting down, then that child needs to head to bed and the other kiddos can continue activities in their rooms.  

6:  Goal.

What, at the end of the time, do you hope to accomplish?  For us, as I stated earlier, it’s to connect and calm down, as well as focus on literacy.  By not allowing electronics, we promote eye contact, listening, creativity, and focus. 

During story time, we ask each child what he/she would like to do, being open to change.  On our first night, our oldest chose to do puzzle pairs and then move to a Mad Lib book.   My son opted to do a letter puzzle, and then flashcards, while my other daughter picked story cards; then when they were done with these, they wanted to listen to me read several LoveMonster books we chose at the library.   The baby played nearby or was held by one of us.   Sometimes we worked with the kids (reading or guiding through activities), while other times we were observers.  

Give it a whirl, Sugars!  And please let me know how it goes, what you tried that worked, and anything I should add to my supply list. 

-This post contains Amazon affiliate links. 

Dear Sugar: Life is Full of Surprises

Today's post is by Natalie Brenner.  Natalie is a full time work-at-home mom, photographer, and writer.  She's currently working on a memoir on loss, grief, and grace-in-Jesus.  Natalie has a son by birth and a son by adoption who are a little more than four months apart in age.  Natalie, her husband, and her children reside in Portland.    Read more about Natalie and her family on her site.

Adoption was the means we chose to grow our family, even before we tied the knot.

We weren’t too surprised when two years had passed and I was not pregnant; I have autoimmune diseases and a list of diagnoses:  a broken body.   Sometimes our bodies just don’t work the right way. 

As we emailed back and forth with an adoption consultant, sifting through the multitude of paths to becoming a family for a child through adoption, we decided domestic infant adoption was our first path.

Surprisingly and suddenly two lines resembling a positive pregnancy test appeared and the gift shocked us; we had yet to sign papers instigating the adoption process and wanted to take special care that we “spread the babies out,” so we halted the process of adoption. Too soon, we said goodbye to that tiny baby first conceived in my womb. The surprise of the blood was gripping, halting me in time, shaking me to my core; I was not ready to say goodbye.

Papers were signed, expectancy declared yet again, and we were on the official journey of domestic infant adoption.  I was surprised by how weighty the wait became, how intense the “presenting” was, how much information we were given about expectant mamas making an adoption plan. I was surprised at how people rallied around our adoption journey, bought our t-shirts, donated to our garage sales, and supported us in big, tangible ways. I was surprised how a village of people so easily wrapped their hearts around a baby we had yet to meet, waiting in anticipation right there with us.

I was surprised to see those two pink lines again, 6 months into our adoption journey.  But I wasn’t surprised when we knew in our hearts, we were going to still adopt, even if that meant we had two babies ridiculously close in age. I wasn’t surprised that our hearts had wrapped around a baby we had yet to meet, a family we had yet to meet, and adoption as a whole.

20 weeks into this second pregnancy, a mama had just delivered her son and chose us to be his parents. I was surprised that my pregnancy didn’t phase her, that she just knew we were to be his.

As he was placed in my hands by his first mama, I was surprised at how natural it was to hold him there and stare into his almond eyes, to become his mama. I was surprised at how my soul wrapped around him so easily.

I was surprised how beautifully he fit into the Moby wrap, nestled right on top of the growing baby bump which was his brother. I was surprised by wondering how in the world my heart would be able to love another baby with the intensity that I loved our first born: was there enough room in my heart to love my second born this big?

I was surprised that my heart did grow, that I loved my second born differently but just as much. Our bonding and meeting were hard, pain and tear-filled, but I loved him big. I was surprised at how right it felt to have two babies so close in age, joining us in two different ways, but neither less than the other. Neither more ours than the other. I was surprised at how my mama heart truly and genuinely loves them both entirely as mine.

I have been perpetually surprised along this journey. But the surprises are what make the journey unique.  Some of the surprises may be hard and difficult, pain-filled even, but the surprises bring sweetness, too.

What surprises have you uncovered along your way, Sugar? 

Dear Sugar: On Not Dictating Your Child's Emotional Response to Adoption

Ever since I started school, I wanted to be athletic.   But it just wasn’t in me.  

In third grade, when it was my turn to kick during a PE kickball game, I missed.  Every.  Single.  Time.   And in fifth grade dodge-ball, I was the tall, skinny girl who couldn’t catch or throw, so I just stood in the game awkwardly until I was the only one left.   The kids tried to cheer for me to hit the player on the other team, the person I was terrified of because I feared the rubber ball leaving his tight grip and smacking me in the face.   So I  just cowered while my teammates starting cheering for the OTHER guy to get me out so we could start the game over already.  

When I got to middle school, I still wanted to be an athlete, so I considered cheer-leading.  All the cool girls were cheerleaders.   Yet, I had no tumbling classes under my belt, no strength, and very little confidence.  

So in eighth grade, I decided to go to volleyball tryouts.   I spent the day before tryouts practicing with a BASKETBALL in my front yard.   Can you imagine a basketball hitting the bony forearms of an eight grader who had yet to even think about starting puberty?  It was frigid outside, but I practiced for hours. 

I made the team.   (I’m guessing there were no cuts.)   And I was deemed captain of the “C” team.  Yes, as in there was an A team, a B team, and then a C team.   I was in charge of the sixth graders.  I finally had what I wanted:  a uniform, a position, a team-name, teammates, and some sort of prestige among my peers.  

As we headed to our first game, cramped on a school bus, the coach stood and gave us a talk.   Part of the lecture was about winning and losing.   If we win, she said, we could have snacks after the game and cheer and carry on victoriously.  If we lost, we should travel home in a somber mood:  no talking, cheering, or giggling.   

This was so strange to me.  I grew up in a loud, opinionated, vocal family.   There were five of us.  My dad was a disc jockey and salesperson.   My mom stayed at home with us.  My sister had a “verbal diarrhea” issue prompting my mom to constantly tell her, just because you think something doesn’t mean you should say it.   My sister and I argued relentlessly, mostly because of our shared bedroom space in which I was tidy and she hid cheese-balls and chocolate under her bed—yet we were best friends.  My little brother was the rope between our tug-of-war and was always at the mercy of our antics. 

In essence:  we said what we thought.   We talked a lot.  My mom used to say all she wanted for any holiday gift was “peace and quiet.”  

The coach was telling me HOW to respond to something.   It made no sense to me.  Was this what it meant to be on a team?   We had to be unified in everything, directed by an adult?  We weren’t free to have our own reaction?  Our own emotions?  Our own opinions? 

It felt like oppression.   That someone was moving into my sacred space and trying to conquer.   It didn’t sit well with me:  not out of rebellion or lack of respect for the coach.   I was just uneasy about the whole thing, but in my middle-schooler mind, couldn’t pinpoint why.  

That was twenty-one years ago.   And this captain of the C volleyball team hasn’t shaken that lecture. 

When I see the many, many posts from new parents-by-adoption and those hoping to adopt, I remember that bus ride.   These current and hopeful parents ask and ponder:

·         What if my child wants to call his or her birth parents “mom” and “dad.” 

·         I’m not comfortable with visits.  We want to stick with just pictures and letters. 

·         I don’t want my child to be confused.

·         I can’t wait for our child to have once-a-week visits with his birth mom. 

·         Should I tell my child that she was conceived by rape?

·         When should I tell my child his adoption story? 

Parents:  here’s the deal.   It’s up to us to reveal all the information, as age-and-developmentally appropriate, to our children.  It’s not up to us to dictate their reactions or shape their stories in a way that’s more “gentle” (aka:  concealing details).   We are to be authentic, forthcoming, and proactive.   We are to be truth-tellers, empathy-servants, and hug-dealers.  

We should also be space-givers.  By that I mean, give our children the space to process and to react as they feel is appropriate.    We shouldn’t try to mold the outcomes to make ourselves feel better.  It’s not about us.   We shouldn’t tamper with the evidence, so to speak.  

We have the obligation and the privilege to give our children what we know.    It is not up to us, as the coach did to me, dictate the child’s response to the events that have already taken place. 

 

There are thousand decisions you will make as a parent surrounding the child’s adoption.   Questions that need answers.  Answers that prompt more questions.   Confusion.   Joy.   Wondering.   Peace.   All of these.  None of these.  Some of these. 

 

There’s no perfect way to navigate.  Though I know many post to Facebook groups seeking to find the no-fail answers to their burning questions.   Often when questions are asked, the parent already knows the right thing to do, or the wrong thing that should be avoided.   The goal in parenting (by adoption or biology) is not perfection.  The goal should be to demonstrate the things that make us good, that enable us to process the things life throws our way and respond to others:  empathy, kindness, honesty, encouragement, and, of course, abundant love.  

And if there is a “do not” to be shared, it’s this:  do not tell your child, or expect of your child, to handle adoption in any certain way.  A way that makes you more comfortable or proud.  A way that doesn’t ignite jealousy.  A way that makes you let out a breath of relief.   Your focus is on your child.   You demonstrate authenticity in disclosure, teaching your child that your home is a safe space for authenticity to happen. 

You can do this.   Your child needs you to be ready with an open mind, heart, and arms, no matter how he or she responds.  

----

For more inspiration, check out the book I co-authored with Madeleine Melcher:  Encouragement for the Adoption and Parenting Journey:  52 Devotions and a Journal.   And check out Madeleine's book Dear Adoptive Parents:  What You Need to Know Right Now-From an Adoptee.  

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Dear Sugar: 5 Practical Tips to Get Out of Your Winter Funk

Dear Sugar,

I live in the Midwest where we have extremely hot summers and dreary winters.   These "dead" seasons can be really hard on a woman, whether she's a mom or a hopeful mom.   

Right now, it's post-holidays (no more cheery Christmas music, twinkling trees, or cookie trays) and pre-spring:  it's just winter, but without the glittery snow.   We're seeing a lot of gray skies, windy and chilly days, little sunshine, and too much indoor time.   Motivation = 0.   

If you are in this place, here are five practical ways to get out of the funk:

1:  Lessen screen time.
I know, I know.  But it REALLY does make a huge difference.  Post-election news has been nothing but grim.  The politically polarizing posts on social media are enough to make us all lose our minds. Additionally, I pretty much never feel better after a scroll through my newsfeed, do you?   I encourage you to set limits for yourself, whatever those may be.   For me, Instagram and Pinterest are always happy places, where Facebook tends to suck the patience right out of me (well, the little patience I had).    I'm also in a season where I've decided no social media after 5 p.m. or on weekends.  Whatever works for you, do it.   And if you're brave enough, take a hiatus from social media for a set period of days, weeks, or months like I did.  (Though I will certainly miss interacting with you on my Facebook page.)   I recommend reading Hands Free Mama to motivate you to take the social media break or set the limits you desperately need.  

2:  Read (and Journal).
I know, I just told you less screen time, and when I say read, I mean read an actual book made of paper.  I'm working to pour into my own soul rather than deplete my mental energy.   A few suggestions include Only Love Today, Wild and Free, and 52 Lists for Happiness.   If you're currently in an adoption rut, my friend Madeleine Melcher and I co-authored Encouragement for the Adoption and Parenting Journey: 52 Devotions and a Journal, a book to inspire and uplift.   And there is nothing wrong with picking up some Chick Lit book or a cheap romance novel.   

3:  Movement. 
Notice I said "movement" and not "exercise."  Do something active that brings you energy and inspiration.  For me, a walk, dancing, and lifting free weights does the trick.   For you it might be running, yoga, walking your dog, swimming, or something else.   I never make movement about calorie burning.   For me, movement's #1 benefit is to become more aware of and prioritize my body so I can be more "fit" physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.    Movement helps you sleep better, reduces anxiety, and boosts "feel good" hormones.  I suggest putting movement as a "to do" on your calendar (for me, it's currently Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings) as well as work it in when the opportunity presents itself (see #4).   

4: Get outside.
When the opportunity presents itself, get outside.  We've had a few sunny (and slightly warm) breakthrough days the past few weeks.  We get on our coats and head outside, letting the sunshine kiss our cheeks.  It is amazing how much better we feel after just ten minutes in the Great Outdoors. Linger outdoors whenever you can.  Better yet, combine your commitment to Movement with your outdoor time:  a walk, playing catch or basketball with your partner or child, etc.  

5:  Connect.
Connection is something we are desperately missing these days, and we try to fill that void with more screen time, more food, more work.   But truly, nothing can fill the connection void except...you guessed it, connection.   I'm committing to getting coffee with a friend one morning a week, or two mornings if we don't have any medical appointments.   These moments with my friends have made such a difference in my days.   It's a chance to listen, love, and laugh.    Another connection goal we're establishing in our family is to have reading night every Wednesday evening.  So we do early dinner, early bath time, and then get in our pjs and lay on the living room rug and read, read, read.   My spouse and I plan to continue our reading commitment once the kids go to bed, pulling out our recent favorite books and relaxing together.   Wine included.   A great book to inspire intentional connectivity is Craving Connections, which I'm currently reading.  

Of course, none of these are substitutes for seeking professional intervention if you need it, whether that be seeking a counselor or seeing your doctor to be checked for anemia, depression, or a vitamin deficiency (such as vitamin D).  

What has helped you get out of a funk in the past?  What practical goals can you set for yourself during this season of life so that you can be happier, more motivated, and more energized?  

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Dear Sugar: On Humbleness in Adoption

Dear Sugar:

Tell me I'm not the only one who does this...

I go to the grocery store armed with my coupons, reusable bags, and a long list.  I'm usually accompanied by at least one of my four children. 

I get all the groceries, filling the cart.  Then I zig-zag around the store with rapidly decreasing energy at least two more times for everything I forgot or skipped before.   

I make it to the checkout.   I slide the items on the conveyor belt while asking one or two or three of the children NOT to touch the gum packets and trashy magazines.   The cashier rings everything up, I hand over my coupons, and then I pay.   Then the moment comes.

"Would you like help out to your car?" asks the person who bagged my groceries.   

Before the question is even fully uttered, I interrupt with a a clear, loud, and insistent, "No, thanks." 

Then I smile (see how confident I am?), and push my cart forward...slowly.  Because I'm trying to edge kids to the door while pushing a really, really freaking heavy grocery cart into a bumpy parking lot (usually in the rain, because why would it NOT spontaneously rain when I go to buy groceries?).

When we make it to the minivan, there's the struggle of trying to use the automatic doors WHILE children are pulling on door handles.   Once the kids are safely inside the van, I open the trunk to place the groceries inside.  Only to find that I forgot to remove the stroller that takes up the entire trunk space.  So then I'm left stuffing groceries in whatever crevice I can find while the rain pours down upon me.  I shove the empty cart into the adjoining cart corral and jump into the driver's seat of the van.

Wet.  Irritated.  Tired.  

But I will not be deterred.  

When I get home, I tell the kids to go inside, and I proceed to attempt to carry every single grocery bag, no matter how heavy or how full or how fragile the bags are, into the house ALL AT ONCE.   Because why in the world would I make two trips from my van, which is just two steps away from the door into the house?...and yes, we're in the garage, so I'm longer getting rained on.

Why?  Why not accept the offer of the grocery bagger?  Why not unload the car bag by bag vs. all at once?   

It's called stubbornness, and efficiency, and a whole lot of other things.  But it's all just pride in a bad disguise.  

And it's ridiculous.   

I'm active in the adoption community and have some years of experience under my belt.  I see it time and time and time again:  the DIY hopeful parent or mama-by-adoption (already parenting) who wants to do it all herself.

Sure, she'll post an occasional question in an adoption FB group full of strangers.   But she's pretty much flying solo, because she's spent SO long trying to become a mom.   She doesn't want to rely on anyone to do something for her or on her behalf. 

I talk about this in my first book Come Rain or Come Shine, in chapter three:  Super Parent Syndrome.   In short, parents who adopt are put on a pedestal (by themselves, their agency, the biological parents, friends and family, strangers, the media, etc.) which puts SO MUCH PRESSURE on them to be everything.  This leads to pride.   

And remember that thing about pride?   It goeth before the fall.   (Prov. 16:18.)  

How many times have you successfully carried in all the groceries at once without damaging at least one item?  Without a bag breaking?  Without banging into a nearby wall?   Without feeling the pull of your arm muscles and the ache in your back, not just in that moment, but probably the next day, too?

SUGAR!  You WERE NEVER MEANT TO DO THIS ALONE.   

When a Black mom approaches you and offers a suggestion for your daughter's hair, consider.   When an adoptee tells you that isolating your child of color in an all-White community is dangerous for his well-being, listen.  When a birth mother you meet is aching for a photo of her biological child and you remember you forgot to send an update to your child's birth parent last month, take note.  

Stop hesitating and re-positioning yourself on the pedestal.    Find your child a mentor.   Go to the adoption support group meeting.   Read the book.   

It boils down to humility.

Do the stuff.   

It's all for your child who depends on you to make the right choices, do the right things, meet and invite in the right people.   

Yes, agreeing to let someone else help with the "heavy lifting" is going to require some bravery.  But the trade-off is peace, empathy, wisdom, and hope.    

What's the alternative, Sugar?   Remember, Proverbs warns us that pride = destruction.  And the first step is choosing pride.  If we elect to dance with pridefulness, we will inevitably engage in destruction.  

You've been chosen to parent your child, for whatever reason.  It is an honor, a privilege, and a serious task.  It's a blessing.   Be brave.  Have courage.   Get off the damn pedestal, no matter who or what put you on it, then kick the thing over.  Break it up with a big hammer.   Sweep away the shattered pieces...

and embrace the joy of having open hands, ready to receive the assistance that is waiting for you.  

--
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Dear Sugar: Valentine Gift Ideas for Young-ish Black Children

It's almost Valentine's Day, Sugar!  

If you've been here awhile, you know I LOVE holidays.   I have decor, I have food, and I always have little gifts for the kids.    It's so fun to celebrate in big and small ways!

Here are my suggestions for Valentine's gifts for young-ish Black children (some of which my children are getting this year!).  All feature Black characters and/or include Black characters.  Click on the image to learn more:

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