#100:  Support Groups.  Feeling lonely at home?  This reprint provides articles on how support groups can provide opportunities to meet others who are at home, exchange ideas, information and feelings, and develop a community within which to grow and gain confidence.  The reprint also describes the various types of support groups, and how to find or start a support group in your community.  Includes a resource list of national support organizations that can help you locate existing groups serving your area.  (5 pages)

#115: Mothering and Self-Esteem. If you're feeling down in the dumps and need some perspective, our "Mothers and Self-Esteem" collection can help. You'll gain great insights from 13 women who offer advice to a mom who describes herself as "in a rut." Joanne Bruun's article, "Self-Esteem: Ours for the Thinking," identifies ways in which some moms fall into the negative self-esteem trap, and provides pragmatic suggestions for taking a more positive approach to life. Finally, if you need a pat on the back, you'll chuckle reading Kirsten Levorson's article, "Accolades," with a special commendation for our mothering skills. (8 pages).

#120:  Cooped Up?  Join a Co-op!  Baby-sitting cooperatives are a terrific way for parents to help each other care for their children.  This reprint provides suggestions for establishing a co-op in your neighborhood.  You'll also find two essays by mothers on how the friendships they have made through their babysitting cooperatives have been keys to their success at home. (4 pages)

#160:  What the Third Baby Taught Me.  In one of our most popular reprints, writer Kathy Smith describes how her third baby changed her perspective on motherhood and also has offered her two older children the opportunity to grow in unexpected ways.  Even mothers of one or two children will find affirmation of their mothering in this wonderful reprint. (2 pages)

#170:  Looking Good, Feeling Great (Dressing Well on a Limited Budget).  If you're tired of wearing worn jeans and baggy sweatshirts, you'll enjoy the practical and economical tips for improving your appearance offered in this reprint.  The reprint also contains an article with tips for finding bargains at thrift shops. (4 pages)

 

#110:  Cries in the Night:  Helping Mothers Survive Sleep Loss.  If you can't seem to get enough sleep, our sleep loss reprint is just for you.  Written with the special needs of mothers in mind, this reprint offers suggestions to moms for coping with their own sleep loss, and identifies resources for helping children sleep through the night. (4 pages)

#122:  Light at the End of the Tunnel (Depression).  Imagine a creeping darkness that slowly consumes your life--your very being. Welcome Home writer Debbie Moynihan describes how isolation and the demands of parenting while her husband pursued a higher degree brought her to utter despair.  Includes information and resources on the topic of depression.  (3 pages)

#125:  Why So Blue?  (Postpartum Depression).  Read the personal account of one mother who was successfully treated over an extended period of time for a severe and debilitating bout with PPD. Includes information about the various forms of PPD and an extensive list of support organizations and publications.  (8 pages)

#130:  Miscarriage:  The Loss of a Baby.  The death of a baby through miscarriage can be a devastating loss, and in this collection you will find the accounts of other mothers who have suffered the pain of this loss. There is also an extensive resource list, and the article, "How You Can Help," for friends and family who want to show their support but may not know how.  (8 pages)

#135:  Just One More Time (Infertility).  When a mother experiences infertility, her pain is often hidden or misunderstood.  Our reprint offers the experiences of several mothers whose desire to have another child is as profoundly strong as their sadness about their infertility.  You'll also learn the routes some couples have taken to make a child a part of their family, despite infertility.  Includes an extensive resource list.  (7 pages)

#200:  What About You?  (Why One Mother Chose Home).  Does life at home provide benefits for anyone besides our kids?  In a beautifully written essay, Nelia Odom describes how being an at-home mother has helped her to grow in ways she never anticipated. And in, "Erasable Me,"  Nancy Vazquez reflects on her previous expectations and current reality.  (4 pages)

#210:  What Do You Do All Day?  Written by Linda Burton, one of the co-founders of our organization, this article shows that even the simplest activity with a child can be packed with meaning, learning and growth.  (2 pages)

#220 The Bad Days.  Are you having more tough days than you would like?  Are you frustrated with life at home, feeling stretched beyond measure, or experiencing defeat while trying to complete even the simplest tasks?  Our "bad days" reprint may be the best remedy.  A variety of articles explore the ways some parents find balance and perspective when the going gets tough.  (8 pages)

#230:  Is Homemaking an Affordable Choice?  If you think the choice to be at home is only for the wealthy, think again.  Our affordability reprint counters this myth with facts, and also shows that having both parents in the labor force can be expensive.  (2 pages)

#240:  Why I'm Still at Home.  If you're feeling pressure to return to work as your children enter elementary school, this reprint may be the encouragement you need to reaffirm your choice to be an at-home parent.  You'll enjoy the perspectives of three Welcome Home writers with school-age children who are committed to life at home, as well as letters from readers affirming their choice.  (5 pages)

 

#300:  Relocating.  If you're planning to relocate, this reprint will provide valuable information about how best to plan for a move, say good-bye, and begin a new life.  And if you worry about something going wrong with your own moving plans, you'll enjoy "The Move" by Lori Odhner -- a piece describing one of the most unbelievably ill-fated (yet ultimately successful) family moves conceivable.  (8 pages)

#305: On the Move With Children (Traveling, Vacations, and Family Outings).  Need tips for long trips with children?  In our travel reprint, you'll find tips from pros -- moms who have turned potentially torturous hours on the road into memories to last a lifetime.  And, if money is tight, you'll enjoy Nelia Odom's piece, "Vacation Mode," a refreshing perspective on how to turn home into a hot vacation spot.  Wish you could get your school-age kids out for a family walk?  In "We're Going to the Swamp -- NOW!!!," Cathy Myers shows that a bit of perseverance can pay off.  This reprint contains something for everyone to enjoy -- no matter what their destination.  (10 pages)

#310:  The Adoptive Family:  Love that Binds.  If you've ever thought about making a child a part of your family through adoption, you'll enjoy the accounts of several mothers in their quest to adopt.  The reprint is also packed with basic information about the various potential routes to making a child a part of a family through adoption, as well as a resource list of publications and support organizations.  (8 pages)

#315 Ready or Not ... (Kindergarten issues).  Is my child quite ready for kindergarten? What are the merits of delaying the start of kindergarten for another year? What are our family's educational options for beginning my child's elementary school education? These are some of the issues you'll learn more about in our collection of articles on kindergarten issues. You'll enjoy the thoughts of readers shared in a "Problems and Solutions" column and two essays by mothers who took different paths in deciding whether to start their child "on time" in kindergarten. You'll also enjoy an essay, "What Kind of School?," with information about the different types of educational programs families have chosen for their children.  (6 pages)

#320:  The Homeschooling Alternative.  Our homeschooling reprint provides an overview of this movement, as well as a resource list.  (4 pages)

#325:  The Preschool Decision.  Should I send my child to preschool?  What factors should I consider?  If I don't, how do I handle criticism from others?  If I do, how do I select the best preschool for my child?  These are just a few of the questions explored in this reprint.  In addition to three essays by mothers about their preschool decision, this reprint also contains recommended resources, including books with fun activities you can do at home with your preschooler. (8 pages)

#330:  Retrouvaille:  Rediscovering Married Love.  This article presents information on a unique program designed to repair damaged marital relationships by helping couples rediscover the love and respect that initially brought them together.  (4 pages)

#335:  Loneliness in Marriage:  When Husbands Travel.  Are you worn out from being a single parent while your husband is on the road?  This reprint is designed for mothers who may feel alone and need empathy as well as suggestions for coping. (7 pages)

#340:  The Laundry Dance.  Want a funny spin on the age-old chore of household laundry?  Popular Welcome Home writer, Barb Warner, shows that there can be humor, even when the pile of dirty socks reaches the ceiling!  You'll also find meaning in "Intricate Folds," where writer Cari Clark describes how she has found contentment in the laundry dance and her choice to be an at-home mother.  (4 pages)

#350:  These Workers (Celebrating Little Boys).  For a lot of mothers, the interests and activities of their preschool-age boys are surprising.  You'll enjoy learning about "Mr. Ball," by Anjelina Citron, and the household demolition activities of Mary Robin Craig's twin boys in "These Workers."  You may also find encouragement in Nelia Odom's "Peter and the Storm Within," where she strives to reconcile her son's tendency toward aggressiveness with her ideals of gentleness and kindness toward others.  (6 pages)

#355: Fostering Appreciation in Children.  Are your kids taking you for granted?  Do you feel demoralized by their ungrateful attitude toward the many small and large things you do for them?  In the lead article, Welcome Home writer Nelia Odom shares her solution to this age-old problem.  You'll also find suggestions from readers responding to a "Problems and Solutions" column about how to raise children who appreciate the work you do.  (4 pages)

#360:  Coping with Housework.  If you're concerned about keeping up with housework, you'll enjoy the perspectives of several Welcome Home writers who share how they have balanced their work of nuturing children and completing the endless list of household chores.  The reprint also contains cleaning tips offered by readers, and a list of suggested reading.  (8 pages)

#365:  Am I the Manager or the Maid?  (Children and Housework).  Our "Children and Housework" collection offers six articles on the topic.  You'll find practical tips from readers, as well as "Keys to Successfully Training Children," by our organizations Co-Founder Janet Dittmer.  Two writers also share systems they employ to allot work to all family members.  (6 pages)

#370:  Chronicles of Love:  Preserving Photos and Memories.  If you want to save family memories for years to come, you'll enjoy this reprint with practical tips for preparing journals, photo albums, and more.  The reprint also contains essays by several mothers who have found special reasons and ways to keep family memories from fading.  (6 pages)

#380:  Making Money at Home. Our making money at home reprint provides practical information for any at-home mother who would like to earn income.  You'll find an extensive list of resources, as well as information about six national non-profit organizations offering support.  Special features include two Problems and Solutions columns where Welcome Home readers offer advice on how to make money at home and on the pros and cons of earning income through home day care.  (5 pages)

#390 Caring for Our Aging Parents.  This collection of articles is packed full of information about the choices some Welcome Home readers have made with their parents about their future care. The reprint concludes with the poignant essay, "The Perfect Gramma," in which an at-home mother describes the physical and emotional challenges she faced parenting her children and step-children while also caring for her ill mother. You'll also find an informative list of support organizations and publications that can help you to ensure the best care for your aging parents. (6 pages)

 

#400:  Helping Children Cope with Grief.  If someone special to your child has died, you'll find useful advice for helping your child cope with the loss.  And, you too may find support in our reprint, along with resources that can help.  (2 pages)

#405:  When Death Hits Home (Infant Loss).  Will the hole in your heart ever heal?  This thoughtful reprint offers the perspectives of several mothers whose babies have died.  You'll find empathy, useful information about the grieving process, and a resource box listing a wide variety of support organizations.  (7 pages)

#410:  Understanding Nate:  Mothering a Child with Learning Disabilities.  What is it like to have a child who approaches simple things so very differently than anyone else?  You'll find support through the personal account of Welcome Home Editor, Laura Jones, who describes the process she and her husband went through to determine if their son had a learning disability, and the special challenges she has faced as his mother.  The reprint also provides a list of resources.  (4 pages)

#420:  Why Television Turns Me Off.  Do your kids watch too much TV?  Does TV time cut too much into family time?  You'll find inspiration to turn off your television, as well as practical suggestions for reducing television viewing. Our reprint also offers advice on how to handle your child's visits to homes with few restrictions on television viewing, as well as a list of supportive organizations.  Our TV reprint is terrific to share with family, friends, teachers, and librarians. (6 pages)

#430:  Silent Courage (Cerebral Palsy).  Cerebral palsy is one of the most common disabilities affecting children today.  If you have a child with cerebral palsy in your family or circle of friends, you may benefit from reading the two personal accounts offered in this reprint.  The reprint also contains a current resource list. (4 pages)

#440:  With a Fine Tooth Comb.  Head lice sure is yucky, and 12 million people each year must deal with it.  This collection includes practical tips for eliminating the pesky vermin, as well as an interview with a lice expert from the National Pediculosis Association. (3 pages)

#450:  Transitions 101 (Managing the School Bully). How cruel some children can be. And, when your child is the object of a school bully, the results can cause pain, anger and despair. Marian Gormley shares the anguish she and her family experienced when a classmate of her son's did everything in her power to ostracize him. This powerful essay reveals that the determined attention and love of parents can make all the difference. The reprint also contains a list of resources for families with children in similar situations.

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#460: Anger Management Too Hot to Handle: Finding Strategies for Dealing with Anger. We may not want to admit it, but all parents have days when they get angry. Even our children get angry. Is it healthier to let it all out or keep it in? How can we teach our children to handle their emotions? In this collection you'll find concrete suggestions on parenting a preschooler who lacks impulse control and constructive ways to handle anger in children of all ages. If you've ever wondered where all your anger comes from, you'll want to read "Anger Unresolved and "Finding Peace," which address the roots of our anger. Also includes Problems and Solutions columns and a list of resources. (12 pages)

 

#500:  Ladybird, Ladybird, Fly Away Home . . . (House Fire Experience).  Imagine returning from a quick errand to find fire engines are pouring water into your burning home.  You'll find fire facts, safety tips, and ideas to consider when re-evaluating your residential fire insurance policy.  (6 pages)

#510:  A Necessary Education (Gun Safety).  Has your child ever visited the home of someone who owns a gun?  If you don't know the answer to that question, you may find our gun safety article a good wake-up call.  The collection also contains a Welcome Home "Problem and Solutions" column where our readers share how they have handled their children's desire to play with toy guns at home.  This is a great reprint for sharing with friends, family, and others in your school, place of worship or community.  (5 pages)

#520:  Take Me OFF of the Ball Field!  Skies blacken, and thunder rumbles in the distance.  The umpire doesn't seem to care.  The game continues.  You don't want your child on the field any more.  What do you do?  Read one mother's story, and learn some common myths about lightning.  This safety reprint is terrific to share with recreation club directors, school administrators, athletic directors, and coaches for any team that practices or plays outdoors.  (3 pages)

#530:  A Single Small Decision (Bicycle Safety).  One decision, and it was the wrong one.  Writer Francine Booth describes what ensued when she and her husband allowed their daughter to bicycle without a helmet.  Our bicycle collection is a strong reminder that safety must always come first.  Our reprint also offers tips for teaching safe biking to your child, and organizations that provide valuable information about bicycle helmets and related products.  You'll also enjoy two coming of age essays by mothers who reflect upon the milestone that they too crossed at their children's first successful bicycle ride.  (5 pages)

 

#140:  Mothers and Freelance Writing.  Have you ever contemplated submitting an article to Welcome Home or elsewhere for publication?  In our freelance writing reprint, you'll see how some mothers have realized their dreams of getting their work published.  A list of recommended reading will also provide you with terrific sources of additional information about this avenue for expressing yourself.  (3 pages)

#145:  The Music in Words.  Ever thought about writing verse to capture a feeling or express a deep emotion?  This reprint offers practical suggestions for getting started as a poet.  Readers will also enjoy an interview with Welcome Home's Poetry Editor, Winnie Peterson Cross. Winnie discusses what she looks for in poetry submissions being considered for Welcome Home and explains how our review process works.  (5 pages)

 

#600d:  Getting Organized for Christmas.  Do the holidays sometimes overwhelm or exhaust you? If so, maybe it's time to read this special collection of articles about making the most out of the holidays while retaining your sanity. Janet Dittmer offers practical advice for focusing your energies on what's most important to you and your family. You'll also enjoy several essays from mothers about holiday experiences, including Nelia Odom's "The Gingerbread House," a real-life story that will surely leave you smiling.  (6 pages)

#610:  Mom Trading Cards. Are trading cards just for baseball or Pokemon fans?  No way!  Mothering enthusiast Barb Warner writes about special women who inspire her in her mothering journey and the qualities that she'd capture about each one in a "mom trading card."  You'll gain a greater appreciation for the women who inspire you in your daily life, because Barb's friends are like those who touch many of our lives.  Why not share this unique reprint with a mother in your extended community?  We've included a blank box for the personal touch only you can add to this wonderfully crafted piece!  This reprint is terrific for including in thank you letters, Mothers Day cards or "pick me up" notes for a friend who needs a hug.  (2 pages)