Rage Against The Minivan

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what i want you to know about being a potential birthmom and backing out of the adoption plan

April 24, 2013

What I Want You to Know is a series of reader submissions. It is an attempt to allow people to tell their personal stories, in the hopes of bringing greater compassion to the unique issues each of us face. If you would like to submit a story to this series, click here. Today’s guest posts is by an anonymous reader. I chose adoption for my child a while ago. During the pregnancy, I completely let the adoptive family in, I loved them to pieces. However, I chose to parent my child. Since . . .

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How should I tell my kids we’re going to Disney World? (And a round-up of the most spectacular Disney Surprise Fails, as a cautionary tale)

April 23, 2013

I think most parents have entertained the fantasy of surprising their kids with a trip to Disneyland and catching the magic and joy on their faces as the surprise is revealed.  There's no shortage of glee-filled Disney reveals on Youtube . . . and I've loved watching the creative ways parents have told their kids of a Disney trip. But while happy footage abounds, I also stumbled upon a few clips of the darker side of the Disneyland surprise: the epic fail of disappointed kids. Sometimes, as . . .

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The Kermit Gosnell trial: we’re asking the wrong questions

April 22, 2013

warning: this post contains graphic details about abortion and infant demise Over the past week, I have learned about the trial of Kermit Gosnell, the Philadelphia abortion provider who has been accused of delivering full-term babies and killing them by snipping their necks. Like everyone, I have been horrified by the grisly details of his practice. A part of the grand jury report provides harrowing details of the clinic: This case is about a doctor who killed babies and endangered women. What . . .

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that’s what SHE said: dead children and monied politicans, orphan fever, angry God and depression correlates, getting along with introverts, and more . . .

April 21, 2013

Harlow's Monkey : Adoption is both/and, not either/or Adoption is not either a family building issue or a big business, it's both/and. Adoption is not the solution or the problem, it's both/and. We can't be focused only on the child or the family, we must be mindful of both. And a child's best interests are not unilaterally separate from the family's and vice versa - the child's best interests can also include the family or community's best interests. Adoption should not be only thought of . . .

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So Totally Relidge! [a weekly recap of religion on the internet]: feminists and the lost art of servanthood?

April 18, 2013

This week on our recap of religious hot topics on the internet, Elizabeth and I are talking about the role of women (again!), and the controversial "open letter to feminists"by Emily Wierenga at Prodigal Magazine.  Entitled “The lost art of servanthood (a letter to my feminist sisters)”, the letter suggested feminist women have become “too angry to serve or to be opened up to a larger purpose.”  The post also detailed several anecdotal stories touting the benefits of submission, . . .

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Questions of eternal significance: how often do you visit your spouse/partner’s office?

April 18, 2013

Today’s hard-hitting question is a two-fer: it’s both completely random and also self-serving (I’m trying to defend myself in a minor marital spat).  Earlier this week we were talking about my husband’s office (he’s a therapist in private practice).  He mentioned that he would like a new sofa and it occurred to him that I hadn’t been to his office in a while. We both tried to think of the last time I had been there, and honestly, I think it’s been about two years since I stepped foot . . .

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What i want you to know: women struggle with pornography, too

April 17, 2013

What I Want You to Know is a series of reader submissions. It is an attempt to allow people to tell their personal stories, in the hopes of bringing greater compassion to the unique issues each of us face. If you would like to submit a story to this series, click here. Today’s guest posts is by anonymous reader. What I want you to know is that men aren’t the only ones that struggle with pornography. I was six years old when I stumbled upon my first bit of pornography. I was playing in . . .

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The time we went kayaking and almost died

April 16, 2013

Last week we decided to take the kids on an adventure and try kayaking as a family. Mark and I enjoyed kayaking before the kids came along, but we’ve not really managed to do it with all six of us . . . Karis is just now past the squirmy stage. So we headed down to Newport Beach and rented two kayaks. Kembe and India pulled one of the kayaks down to the beach. Jafta and Karis sat and ate almonds. Thanks for your help, guys. True story: this post was sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds, and . . .

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The Draper Report: Mad Men Season 6 Episode 2 Recap

April 15, 2013

Sarah James and I are discussing last night’s episode of Mad Men. We felt like this episode was a redemption after last week’s random plot points. Did you like it? . . .

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Best books for adoptive parents

April 14, 2013

One of the most common requests I get from other adoptive parents are recommendations for books to read on adoptive parenting.   Last month I curated a list of books for people who are considering adoption over at Babble. Ths month I’ve created a similar list for parents who have already adopted.  Check out my blog at Babble to see some of my favorite books about adoptive parenting. Next month, I will curate a list specific to transracial adoption. What are some of your favorite . . .

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Hi, I’m Kristen. I’m a mom of four kids via birth and adoption and a writer living in Southern California. Read More.

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Rage Against the Minivan sometimes earns revenue through sponsored posts, which are clearly labeled, and occasional affiliate links to recommended products. I only feature products that I truly like, and my opinions are always my own.

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