by Marisue Alsobrook
Communicating with Teens
Communicating with teens is the most important part of staying close to them during their critical years.  However, talking to teens can, at times, seem impossible on a good day.  If teens are troubled, conversation becomes practically non-existent, yet that's when they need it the most.  But, how do we [...]

By Marisue Alsobrook
Teen smoking problems are not easy to solve.  Again, as with most problems with our children, we need to examine our choice of approach and our own attitudes and behaviors.  Of course, the best cure is prevention.  Early childhood education and on-going teaching about the dangers of smoking far outweigh any consequences you [...]

by Marisue Alsobrook 
Introduction: Troubled Teens are one of the biggest challenges in families today and even more so in foster families.  When I look back at our hardest and even worst days as a foster parent, I'm looking right into the eyes of troubled teens.  Not only are they hard to deal with, they can have [...]

by Marisue Alsobrook 
Judging and Sentencing 
Introduction:  Judge, jury, kids, parents, it can all be confusing.  Order in the home and order in the parenting, is a must.  What does that mean?  Planning and thinking about parenting ahead of the time of crisis is critical to parental "power."  Predicting their behavior in their teens begins when their [...]

by Marisue Alsobrook 
The Buddy System 
"I behave!" was the frequent outcry of a little toddler we had in our home as a foster child.  And really, little kids we think are onery and unruly ain't misbehavin'.  Most of the time, they are exploring and active and we have a hard time keeping up with their [...]

by Marisue Alsobrook 
Introduction:  Rockin' my babies, ah!  The sweetest of times!  Memories of other sweet parenting moments fill my head tonight.  My youngest child turned 21 today.  Now, how did that happen?  When he was a baby, I was sure that rocking him, as with my other two, was the best of life, and would [...]

by Marisue Alsobrook 
Introduction: Children often wish they were somewhere else.  That's probably a common behavior in most children and even adults, but foster children have a particularly difficult time with functioning where they are at that moment.  Most of us take time for granted, moving casually from moment to moment and routinely taking care of [...]

by Marisue Alsobrook 
Empty Nest 
Introduction:  I don't like that term, but that's where I find myself.  Most of my adult life was spent learning to be a parent and now that I kind of know what I'm doing, I'm out of the job. 
Life After Kids 
"Where are the kids?" I ask you.  Out terrorizing the neighborhood, [...]

by Marisue Alsobrook 
Dancin' and Prancin' Through Christmas 
Introduction:  Holidays bring many memories.  For foster children, Christmas memories can be painful.  Foster parents often cringe at the upcoming holidays, as abused children can really act out during  this time of year.  I remember one Christmas, we all wanted to do something really special to help others.  We [...]

Teens and Drugs 
Sneaky behavior is nothing to laugh about.  I'm not trying to make light of a serious situation, but take a deep breath, relax your shoulders, muster a small smile, and say to yourself "I can do something that will make this better" 10 times. 
Police Action 
Being a police officer and foster parent at [...]