Encouragement can come in many forms. Sometimes it can be praise – a simple “good job!”  Other times, children need more than a kind word. It may take a hug, a special treat or giving more of your attention by playing a board game, watching a movie together or going to the park. There are hundreds of ways you can encourage a child, which, in turn will improve their self-esteem.

Each fall, my husband and I turn our thoughts to adoption. While adoption is on our minds all year long, we think about it even more at this time of year. In addition to National Adoption Month taking place every November and raising awareness of adoption, each September, our family also celebrates “Gotcha Day” – the unforgettable day our son, Jake, joined our family.

This is Meg Butler, an aide at the JCFS Therapeutic Day School (TDS), standing next to her boyfriend Arlan DeRoussy on what seems like an ordinary afternoon along Lake Michigan.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, the ideal time to talk with kids about the issues they may have with peers at school, along with identifying the signs of bullying, and what we can do to prevent it.   

JCFS is proud to present our new Associates Board, a group of dedicated and energized young professionals who will help promote and support the good work of JCFS through advocacy, leadership development, fundraising, volunteerism and more.

What is the significance of the fall Jewish holidays?  They are times for reflection, renewal, and celebration.

As we move from the lazy, relaxed days of summer into the hectic days of early fall and back to school, I am reminded that these kinds of transitions can be difficult for any family. When your family is divorced, or going through the process, the challenges can seem insurmountable. Here are some tips to make this year’s transition go more smoothly.

As you get to know more about your child’s teachers this year, some will immediately stand out in a positive way, and others may raise a flag of concern. Here are a few ways to go about resolving issues you may have with a teacher.

If you ask parents what they wish for their child, the answer is usually “to make friends in school.”  Making friends is an important part of childhood, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy. Children are not born with social skills, so parents need to prepare them to interact successfully with other kids.