Kids and Family

by Jessica Goodpaster | June 27, 2019 | Kids and Family, Parenting | 3 Comments

Our daughter was adopted from China's Special Needs Program in 2017. As soon as she was placed in my arms, I entered the world of special needs parenting. (Read more about our China adoption journey.) There is a wide spectrum of medical, developmental, and...

by Jessica Goodpaster | June 18, 2019 | Kids and Family, Parenting | 31 Comments

Let me tell you about my happy place. I’m lounging on a padded beach chair by the turquoise water under the shade of a colorful umbrella. The roar of the ocean is peppered with the laughter…

by Jessica Goodpaster | May 23, 2019 | Kids and Family, Parenting | 14 Comments

Kids everywhere are cheering for the end of school. But moms? Not so much. If you are like me, the thought of keeping your children entertained for a couple of months without losing your mind is a little overwhelming. But I have an easy solution to the dreaded...

by Jessica Goodpaster | May 1, 2019 | Kids and Family, Parenting | 29 Comments

Has anyone else mentally moved on to summer? After an unusually cold and snowy March and a dreary April, May is here! Cue the sunshine and Justin Timberlake memes! Last week, I chaperoned my oldest’s field trip to the zoo. It was 80-something degrees and sunny. I had...

by Jessica Goodpaster | February 26, 2019 | Kids and Family, Parenting | 29 Comments

Parenting is hard work! Whether you have babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kids, tweens, or teens, moms and dads have their hands full. Sometimes a simple change in the way you do things can make life easier for your family. That’s why I put together this list of parent...

by Jessica Goodpaster | November 9, 2018 | Kids and Family, Parenting | 23 Comments

Does it feel like toys are multiplying in your house? It stresses me out a bit to think of where to put everything after Christmas or birthdays. So I compiled a list of the best non-toy gifts for kids of all ages. You’ll find something for babies, toddlers,...

by Jessica Goodpaster | August 23, 2018 | Adoption Journey, Kids and Family | 2 Comments

Jump into part two of this one-year post-adoption post! Though L was 18 months old when we met her, the orphanage primarily fed her formula from a bottle. They would…

by Jessica Goodpaster | August 15, 2018 | Adoption Journey, Kids and Family | 11 Comments

One year ago, my husband, son, and I were ushered into a plain room in the equivalent of a Chinese DMV office for a meeting that would forever change all our lives. Along with another family on the same journey as us and our English-speaking guide, we met our daughter...

by Jessica Goodpaster | July 27, 2018 | Kids and Family, Parenting | 11 Comments

In an attempt to be as productive as possible the other day, I ran to Walmart to make a return, buy the toothpaste I meant to get on my last grocery order, get ice cream for my son’s birthday party, and do a store pickup of a gift for my nephew. I had about 45 minutes...

by Jessica Goodpaster | June 2, 2018 | Kids and Family, Parenting | 21 Comments

Growing up, I remember being shocked that it takes children longer to talk than to walk. In my naïve mind, it seemed like moving your mouth would be a piece of cake compared to hoisting your body around on two feet. I mean, I spoke way more words in a day than I took...