Mar 22 minThis Work is HardThis work can be frustrating. Whether you're a parent, a caseworker, a program director, or a mentor - working with complex trauma is...
Feb 161 minNever Got a Chance to be a KidMany of the kids we work with learned to put their needs last. They are what the clinical world calls "parentified" meaning they had to...
Sep 21, 20211 minWhy Horses?Most of us can attest to the fact that animals are healing in nature. Lots of people, who hear about Stable Moments, mention how...
Aug 14, 20212 minWhat Paper Towels Taught Me About TraumaI used to work with a guy who would, after washing them, shake his hands off in the sink and then wipe them on his pants. I didn’t think...
Aug 11, 20211 minBeing a Safe PersonChildren need to feel safe before they can do anything else. Here's an exercise to be a safe person.
Jun 23, 20212 minGetting FocusedA top reason why nonprofits fail is their lack of focus. It makes sense, we go into this work with the intention of helping people, and...
Apr 21, 20213 minDealing with LyingOne behavioral response to childhood trauma is lying. Many foster and adoptive parents report lying as being a major problem with their...
Mar 15, 20213 minGetting Clear on Your CallingHow many times have you associated your calling with your career? That's okay, we all have. We are conditioned to. Our society focuses so...
Jan 19, 20213 minWhy I'm Hard on VolunteersThe brisk air nipped Ava’s cheeks as she jumped out from her foster mom’s car yelling, “Ms. Sandy, I’m here!” I smiled and walked over to...
Aug 21, 20202 minNow More Than EverSchools being open is imperative for our country's vulnerable youth. Roughly 5 million children in the USA experience domestic violence...
Jul 22, 20202 minEveryone Gets an AThat's right, every single person that walks onto a Stable Moments property gets an A and guess what, they can't lose their A. It doesn't...
Mar 30, 20203 minStaying "Relationship First" in Isolation A foster or adopted child may VERY well be wondering "what does this mean for me?" Speak directly to that.
Mar 12, 20202 minActivities for Littles at the BarnThere is evidence to suggest that starting programming as young as possible is beneficial to address adverse childhood events.
Jan 13, 20204 min3 Common Mistakes Nonprofit Startups MakeUnless you surround yourself with the right people, understand it is a business and promote with confidence, it is likely to remain a dream.
Jan 5, 20203 minWhy We Don't Pray for ThemI have had several child mentors ask over the years, Can I pray for the child I mentor. My answer is yes, but not here at the barn.
Dec 15, 20193 minTrauma Informed Holiday ActivitiesIt's not about the things for these kids. It's that you value them, ask them, get creative with them, become part of their journey.
Nov 5, 20192 minRemovedChildren in foster care most often have been removed not just from a home but from the only parents they know
Jul 27, 20192 min3 Ways to Build Self-Esteem at the BarnWhy would you make healthy choices if you thought you didn't matter? Many children surviving with trauma have low or no self-worth, so our f
Jun 15, 20194 minSaying Goodbye: Mindful activities for last sessionsHow do we say goodbye without creating yet another loss in a child's life?
May 1, 20193 minWhy Can't I Ride?That's right, there is no riding. I am so immersed in the Stable Moments model that I often forget to mention it is all unmounted work....