RaisingMom.ca

Two friends reading, learning, laughing, and taking this adoptive mom gig one day at a time

  • Welcome
  • Reflections on Parenting
    • Parenting Styles/Beliefs
    • Parenting How-Tos
    • Adoption
      • Interracial Adoption
    • Spirituality in Parenting
    • Twins
    • Self-Care for Moms
    • Humor
  • Children’s Book Reviews
    • Starred Reviews
    • Board Books
    • Picture Books (Ages 2 – 6)
    • Picture Books for Older Kids (6+)
    • Canadian
    • Books about Adoption / Fostering
    • Books about Diversity
    • Books about Values
    • First Nations / Indigenous
    • Beginning Chapter Books
    • Chapter Books
    • Other Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • For Publishers, Authors, Illustrators, Publicists & Companies Seeking a Product or Service Review
  • Disclosures
  • Free Resources

Meet Erin & Colleen


Erin from RaisingMom.ca~Introducing ERIN~

Wife. Adoptive mom to 3 yo toddler twins and a 5 yo. Career as a Teacher-Librarian temporarily on pause. Reads tons of books to the kids. Longs for two minutes alone in the bathroom. Lives for sloppy kisses. Figuring out life on the fly with laughs, friends, and grace!

I am a “mature” mom – jumped into this in my very late 30s and am now starting to explore my 40s ;-). My hubby is 7 years older, and we joke that our poor kids will have to keep explaining the two old grey-haired fogies at their graduations to all their classmates. Ah well, just think how wise we’ll be by then!

Book Reviews: As a Teacher-Librarian and AVID reader, one of my main filters for understanding the world is through books (in all formats).  At this stage, I use a lot of books to help my kids explore and understand the world, too.  I want to share what I’ve learned with you. As a Senior Education Specialist, I have led resource review and selection for a major urban school board, was seconded to a provincial Department of Education as a Manager for Literacy, Numeracy & School Libraries, and have my Master’s degree in Information Literacy and Adult Education.  I’ve been a teacher for 18 years, a Teacher-Librarian for 14 years and am passionate about sharing my knowledge. I am a Director on the board of and do professional reviews for a children’s book review journal: Resource Links. I’ve been a Director for the Alberta School Library Council and was on the focus group for the creation of Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for School Library Learning Commons in Canada.
Join me on the journey as I explore being a “mature” mom to multiples, toddlers, and adopted children through the lens of children’s books.  I’m learning a lot – the tables are turned on this teacher!

Adoption: We have three beautiful children through open adoption, and an incredibly supportive relationship with their birth mother and her adoptive mom and family. Our kids are of mixed race, which presents myriad challenges and opportunities as we seek to help them embrace all sides of their heritage, as well as what they find as members of our family! Find out more about this great story in the blog postings.  Life is beautiful chaos and is a new adventure every day! I couldn’t survive without humour, my faith, and a supportive family and circle of friends who are along for the ride.


Colleen from RaisingMom.ca~Introducing COLLEEN~

Hi! I’m Colleen. I’m a lot of things – a wife to an amazing husband, a mom to 3 beautiful adopted kids, a recovering goody-two-shoes, know-it-all and rule-keeper, as well as a former teacher and current coffee drinker! That tells you a lot about me, but the most important piece, the one thing I can’t lose and upon which the rest hinges, is my identity in Jesus. The knowledge that I am precious to my Heavenly Father is something I’m still learning to rest in and grow into… His perfect love gives me the courage to step in to my crazy life and walk it out, wherever He takes me!

True to form, I figured I had this parenting thing all figured out when we first adopted. I quickly learned that the trauma that lands kids in adoptive and foster care can predispose them to look at life in fearful and untrusting ways, which can lead to huge challenges in the way they interact with the world. I’m incredibly grateful for the training we’ve received. Empowered to Connect gave us the tools we need to build relationships with our kids and help them heal and grow. Through my conversations with other parents, I’ve learned that our struggles are not unique to us. It is my hope that by sharing the stuff we’re learning we can let other parents know they’re not alone, and give them some of the perspectives and tools that are proving helpful to us as we seek to bring joy and healing and hope to our family.

It is easy to feel ashamed and alone when facing challenges. Wherever you are on your journey, I pray you will know – deep down in your soul – that you are loved, and that there is hope.

*Photos by Julie Vincent Photography

 

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

About Us

Meet Erin & Colleen

Meet Erin & Colleen

Follow Raising Mom on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe HERE

* indicates required
RaisingMom.ca Newsletter/Notification Options
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No connected account.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to connect an account.

Latest Parenting Posts

  • Advocating for Your Child at School – Tips for building a strong relationship with your child’s teacher
    Advocating For Your Child at School
  • Parenting While Grieving… tips from a mom who keeps failing, and showing up anyway
    Parenting While Grieving
  • It’s Not About the Boots!! – Tips for dealing when our kids [seemingly] try to manipulate us
    It's Not About The Boots
...more

Latest Kids’ Book Reviews

  • On Our Street: Our First Talk About Poverty by Dr. Jillian Roberts and Jaime Casap – Book Review
    On Our Street Our First Talk About Poverty Homelessness mental illness
  • Wild One by Jane Whittingham & Illustrated by Noel Tuazon – Book Review
    Wild One Image
  • Bessie, Queen of the sky by Andrea Doshi & Jimena Duran – Book Review
    Bessie, Queen of the sky by Andrea Doshi & Jimena Duran - Book Review
...More

Upcoming ETC Training Opportunities

Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities!

Readers Love These Posts:

  • Parenting While Grieving Parenting While Grieving…... My Grief Experience After a 2.5 year cancer journey... under Parenting, Parenting How-Tos, Parenting Styles/Beliefs, Self-Care for Moms, Spirituality in Parenting
  • Braids Munsch Review Braids! by Robert Munsch Review of Braids! * by Robert Munsch Author: Robert Mu... under Books about Diversity, Canadian, Children's Book Reviews, Picture Books (Ages 2 - 6), Picture Books for Older Kids (6+)
  • Be heard without yelling Making Sure You’re Heard... Want Less Yelling and Better Communication?? Me too! D... under Adoption, Parenting, Parenting How-Tos, Parenting Styles/Beliefs, Spirituality in Parenting

Copyright © 2021 · Daily Dish Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in