CHILDREARING

Greetings! Ever think you’ll never get through childrearing, or anxiety, or just plain life? Ever think your kids are the worst behaved and no one else goes through those embarrassing moments? Just wait until you hear these real-life experiences. You CAN get through the tough spots in life. In fact, it’s been my experience that when I face the tough spots and laugh over them, they don’t control me as much. A few years ago I was a bewildered mom watching a talk show about “Raising Strong-willed Children.” Two voices of authority were offered: a Child Psychologist who presented his typical theories – and produced no life in me whatsoever, and an average mom who had been through this trauma and had gotten through to the other side. Every word from this mom’s mouth was like gold to me – she actually made sense. There was a way to raise this child into a productive citizen without screaming the rest of my life away! That’s when the light bulb burst on. The ones who have made it through to the other side are the ones to listen to! YOUR stories help us to understand we are not alone, and that we can get through it, sometimes by Laughing All the Way! If you’re willing to share your funny, uplifting or miraculous story, and possibly see it in print, we would love to see if we can use it in this series. Submit your story at www.laughingalltheway.net - and enjoy the site! I truly hope it brings you laughter and hope. My best, Christy Laughing

Wife and Stay at Home Mom. Freelance writer. Unofficial expert on most things related to childrearing and housekeeping. Avid reader.

I am a CPA by profession but a stay-at-home mom by choice. I ve worked in public accounting and private industry (including advertising firms, healthcare, and nonprofits). Working diligently on my first romance novel. Love to travel, eat good food, laugh, and spend time with family.

I am a happily married, mother of two daughters. I am very involved in my church, my children's activities, and our family is currently hosting a foreign exchange student!

I have 11 years of experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner both in private practice and in the setting of a large free clinic that serves uninsured poor. I have varied areas of expertise both professionally and personally as a mother to 3 children.

A Midwest mother and freelance writer.

Oregon-born, Idaho-raised, since visited Heaven and Hell and everywhere in between.

Maevele is either a Jack of all trades, a genius, or a major slacker. She's also a singer, a writer, an artist, a knitter, an english language geek a reader, a homeschooling mom of two, and a moderate revolutionary. She doesn't usually write in the third person.

Mom of three working at home while the babies are napping.

I am an elementary school teacher who has put my career on hold to open a small in-home daycare. I wanted the opportunity to raise my two children as well as earn some extra income. I have incorporated a preschool program with appropriate curriculum for each age group. I

I am a mother of 5, an RN sidelined by latex allergy, and a birth junkie.

I am in my late 20's, a married mother of 3 children. I love writing as a hobby and have posted a few of my essays online for friends to view if they feel so inclined.

Child behavior expert Brenda Nixon, M.A. (www.BrendaNixon.com) writes/speaks to audiences who live or work with kids. Her books include Parenting Power in the Early Years, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, and The Birth to Five Book, all available on Amazon.com.

As a mother of two teenagers, I work mainly inside the home from selling my own artwork to working part time as a substitute teacher within the local school district. Children and art are my passion.

Emily Hollis is an experienced editor and writer, with nearly 10 years in the publishing industry. Her blog covering her organic garden and other topics can be found at www.lookingforroots.blogspot.com.

I'm the American wife of an amazing Ethiopian man, and mother to three incredible little boys. I stay at home, manage the household, read lots of good books, and write whenever I have the opportunity.

Mary J. Brown is a stay-at-home mom who knows that mothering is the toughest job there is. Because she also knows it's the most important job she'll ever do, she's passionate about striking balance between being a wife, a mom, a friend, and a self.

B.A. in English. Work experience in the the corporate and not-for-profict sectors. Freelance writer and illustrator. Commercial actress and model. Justice of the Peace. Mother or four.

Julie Hardy graduated from Univeristy of Florida College of Law.

I've worked in community journalism and higher education most of my life. In 1995, I dropped my career to work in Japan for six months. I stayed for six years, adopted an orphan from China and came back home to live the eclectic life of a freelancer.

I am a writer/artist/mother/professor staying at home with the kids AND working online while husband escapes to work every day. I live in the red state North Eastern corner of California in the Sierra Mountains where life is still, relatively, affordable.