When the seven of us signed up for BlogHer our goals were to meet each other and to learn more about blogging so that we could bring that back to our blogs and to GIMH. We not only accomplished that we but we also learned that we were fast friends. There was an instant bond between us, hugs that were held far longer than expected and an uncanny comfort that allowed us to share our deepest sentiments.

The conference itself was not all we expected it to be. In fact, we probably won’t go back because we weren’t happy with the sessions or the amount of branding (although we love that we were able to work with our fabulous sponsors). We know that branding is important (duh). It was just overwhelming.

So, what did we learn, you ask?

We learned that we want change.

• We want to change the adoption community through blogging.
• We want to build a better future for our children, our adopted children, our adoptees, our future birth parents by blogging. We want to open birth records.
• We want the media to know that they need to get adoption right (hello Orphan, the Movie or Despicable Me?)
• We want to work to end corruption in International Adoption (yes, big task).
• We want agencies to understand that birth mothers are not just a vessel.

The hard part is figuring out how to do all of that.

from left to right: Christine from welcome to my brain, Marcie from Grown In My Heart, Carrissa (above) from My Everyday Miracles, Claudia (below) from Musings of the Lame, Judy from The International Mom Blog, Kristen from Rage Against the Minivan and Michelle from Gotcha Baby (and yes, the ever-camera-shy,Tonggu Momma )

1. Mind games can keep boredom away as well as physical activity. Even small children can follow an adjusted version of “I Spy.” Just be sure that the clues are age appropriate and not too tricky. Look for easy to spot shapes, bright colors, or unique characteristics (animals, common objects such as pencils, etc.). Remember to let them give you the clues, too, to really work their brains. Finding an object is different than coming up with a clue for an object.

2. Once your child is a little older, around 4 years or so, theme games can be played. A favorite (still) of my kids is the animal game. “I Spy”-like clues can be given, but your child must rely on their memory and knowledge of animals instead of looking for pictures or representations of them. These types of games are great for long car rides, and you can make them more challenging, as your children get older. Go in order through the alphabet…”I have a long nose and tongue” = Aardvark (or anteater, both will work in this case); “I’m totally white and live in the cold” = Beluga whale. Get it?

3. READ, READ, READ. Reading to your child, no matter how young, increases their vocabulary, imagination, and overall cognitive abilities. Hearing language creates synapses – the connection of brain cells. Most of us parents think that reading at bedtime is sufficient. And while bedtime stories create a wonderful bonding time between parent and child, so can reading a story with your child snuggled on your lap in a waiting room. Granted, you can’t be expected to tote a small library around with you at all times. But if you know your day will include a little waiting time, why not pop your child’s favorite book in the day bag. Or maybe a story you haven’t yet read to them? Or take advantage of digital children’s books that can be downloaded to your cell phone or iPod? These digital books can do double duty, as oftentimes they are books that are enhanced with narration (sometimes even music and sound effects are added), so your little one can hear the book as they see the words on your phone or iPod screen.
So the next time you find yourself exasperated trying to tame the savage beast that is a toddler with nothing to do, try a few of these tips. Not all of them will work at all times or in every situation. But hopefully if nothing else, it will spark your creativity to engage your child and use your waiting time as teaching time. For there is no better teacher for a child than his or her own parent. Good luck!!!

Wendy Toone is a child expert having owned and operated a leading franchise children’s fitness center and now producing
MobiStories, Digital Books for KidsTM, as well as being a mom to her two children. To experience the world of digital children’s picture books, visit www.mobistories.com

To download a free copy of Mommy’s High Heel Shoes for your PC or Mac, visit mobistories.com and enter the promo code: MHHS0710. The offer expires 8/22. Mommy’s High Heel Shoes is also available for download as an app via the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad in the iTunes store where you can check out more great story apps from MobiStories: To order a hard cover copy of Kristie Finnan’s book, Mommy’s High Heeled shoes, visit her at KristieFinnan.com.
*This advertorial post is sponsored by the Role Mommy Writers Network.

But, I also had to have a sponsor. You know, food, adoption, readoption. It adds up.

So, I pounded the emails and am lucky enough tonight to announce THREE sponsors.

Read More…

And while I secretly wish we were nominated I find it absolutely wonderful that there are a few adoption blogs in there. Other noteworthy blogs that you might want to vote for as well?Let me know if I missed any.

Stop, Drop, and Blog

Chronicles of Munchkinland

PunditMom

Readers, set your DVR’s.

AND, OMG, Kyra Sedgwick will be there!

If you haven’t joined the party yet, it’s pretty simple – just follow all the names above as well as @TheGoodWife_CBS, click on Tweet Grid where we’ve highlighted our co-hosts and our hashtage for the party #TheGoodWife. You’ll then be able to follow the discussion and join in as we chat about everything from last week’s cliffhanger – will Alicia be hooking up with Will? Will Peter get thrown back in jail for leaving the apartment to chase after Alicia? Will the firm continue to lose money? And what pair of boots will Kalinda be wearing this week? On a side note, if you have questions for wardrobe stylist, Daniel Lawson, then comment below and we will get them to the team at CBS!

Check out the preview below…

Click here if you missed last week’s episode and then visit The Good Wife on CBS.com and enter the chance to win a Buick Lacrosse too!

Hope to Tweet with you on Tuesday!



Grown in My Heart Blogs (excluded from the 101)

1. 4 Crazy Kings (retired)
2. According to Addie Adoptee
3. Bump Fairy Surrogate
4. A Bushel and a Peck Ethiopia
5. Can I Get a Do-Over? Russia, Special Needs
6. Chicago Law Blogger Law
7. Gotcha Baby Domestic
8. The International Mom China, Guatemala, Special Needs
9. Kingcade Kitchen (retired)
10. Musings of the Lame First Mother
11. My Everyday Miracles Korea, Special Needs
12. Our Little Tongginator China, Special Needs
13. Rage Against the Minivan, Foster Care, Haiti
14. Signs of Hope (read more about Carrie in her interview), China, Special Needs
    

With that said…here are our top 101.

We have only chosen sites that have been updated since the first of the year.  Grab your badge!

Informational and Adoptee Rights

1. AdopteeRights.net
2. AdopteeRights.org
3. Bastard Nation
4. Ethica
5. FRUA
6. Green Ribbon Campaign for Open Records
7. Guatadopt
8. Love Isn’t Enough
9. Motherlode
10. Nobody is Forgotten
11. OriginsUSA
12. PEAR: Parents for Ethical Adoption Reform
13. Senior Mothers Adoption Activist Coalition
14. Voices for Vietnam Adoption Integrity
15. Worldwide Orphans Foundation

Domestic Adoption

1. (A) Dad
2. Chasing a Child
3. Letters to a Birthmother
4. Life from Here: Musings From the Edge
5. Peter’s Cross Station
6. Production, Not Reproduction
7. this woman’s work
8. Weebles Wobblog

International Adoption: Asia

1. Adoption Talk
2. American Family
3. Another Ordinary Miracle
4. A Place Called Simplicity
5. Becoming a Family
6. Crazy for Kids
7. Do They Have Salsa in China?
8. Kimchi Mamas
9. La Bicicleta
10. Ni Hao, Y’all
11. No Hands But Ours
12. O Solo Mama
13. So it’s come down to this…
14. Third Mom

International Adoption: South America

1. Another Expresso Please
2. Artificially Sweetened
3. Where Laughter Lives: The Riggs Family Blog
4. Michelle Smiles

International Adoption: Europe

1. The Accidental Mommy
2. American Girls in Moscow
3. Come Undone
4. Life With Bubba, Chicky and Nika
5. Solnichka Babies
6. Uterine Wars

International Adoption: Africa and Caribbean

1. Around the World and Two Kids
2. Ethiopia or Bust
3. Is There Any Mommy Out There?
4. The Livesay [Haiti] Weblog
5. Rooted in Love
6. welcome to my brain

First Parents

1. Adoption Truth
2. Birth Mother, First Mother Forum
3. The Chronicles of  Munchkinland
4. I Should Really be Working
5. Magic Pointe Shoes
6. Motherhood Deleted
7. Not Mother
8. Paragraphein  (password protected)
9. Wet Feet
10. Writing My Wrongs

Adoptees

1. 3 Generations of Adoption (adoptee and adoptive mom)
2. Adopt This
3. amy
4. Anti-adoption
5. Baby Love Child
6. The Daily Bastardette
7. Ethnically Incorrect Daughter
8. Faiths and Illusions (adoptee and adoptive mom)
9. Joy’s Division
10. Harlow’s Monkey
11. Heart, Mind, and Seoul (adoptee and adoptive mom)
12. Land of the Not-So-Calm
13. Outlandish Remarks
14. Out of the Fog
15. Ungrateful Little Bastard
16. Shadow Between Two Worlds

Infertility/ Adoption After Infertility

1. A Little Pregnant
2. And I Wasted All that Birth Control
3. Baby Interrupted
4. Hannah Wept, Sarah Laughed
5. Stirrup Queens
6. So Close
7. The Egg Drop Post
8. The Fertile Infertile
9. This Cross I Embrace
10. Silent Sorority

Foster Care / Foster Care Adoption

1. Fostering Pride
2. Overwhelmed with Joy
3. Upside-Down Adoption

Loss

1. Crib Chronicles
2. Life after Fertility and Loss
3. Naptime Confessional
4. Parenthood for Me
5. The Spohrs are Multiplying
6. Sweet/Salty
7. To Write Their Names in the Sand

Surrogacy

1. The Good Eggs
2. I’m a Smart One