Advice Archives

Adoption

Fostering Journey Final Chapter: Celebrating Adopting Our Son

After eight months in our home, I am thrilled to share that this past week, we adopted our sweet boy into our family. The adoption...

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Our Foster Parenting Journey: Summer Reflections

We’re wrapping up our first summer as a foster family, and our permanent placement (a 7-month-old baby boy) has been experiencing the daily outpourings of...

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Five Months into Our Fostering Journey: Eucatastrophe

A friend of ours came for dinner Easter weekend. He asked me, pointedly: “What have you learned – what has God shown you – this...

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Finding Joy in the Unexpected: Celebrating Foster Motherhood in Southwest Florida

We’ve had our little one for four months now, and although there are no guarantees and I can’t share details, the placement feels long-term. We...

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The Learning and Chaos as the Fostering Journey Continues

This is the latest article I've written about our journey as a foster family. It’s been almost three months since we took our first permanent...

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Fielding Questions as a Foster Parent

This is the latest installment of my fostering journey. Previously I shared about the circumstances surrounding the placement of a newborn baby in our home....

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Education

Nova Classical STEM Academy ribbon cutting opens a new Fort Myers school option

The Nova Classical STEM Academy ribbon cutting and open house is set for Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. at 7101 Banway...

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STEM Activities for Kids Inspired by Black Innovators

STEM activities for kids inspired by Black innovators are a powerful way to spark curiosity and creativity at home. When families in Collier and Lee...

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How Schools Blend Technology and Traditional Learning in Collier and Lee Counties

Across Southwest Florida, schools are blending technology and traditional learning in Collier and Lee Counties so students get the best of both worlds. In many...

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A Year of Progress for Lee County Schools

When I was sworn in just over a year ago as Lee County’s first elected school superintendent in 50 years, I embraced the role with...

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Sunshine State Scholars Collier County 2026: Meet CCPS Rising Stars

Sunshine State Scholars Collier County 2026 celebrates two exceptional Collier County Public Schools juniors: Maximus “Max” Bogert of Palmetto Ridge High School and Sarah Dabees...

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Naples Teens Lead Community Service Projects

When Gabe Garcia and Jayden Herrera stepped into leadership roles at Palmetto Ridge High School in Naples, Florida, they made it their mission to redefine...

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Financial

$20,000 Scholarship Applications Now Open for Collier County Seniors

Attention High School Seniors: The 2026 Schulze College Scholarship Application Is Now Open. Apply Today! The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation is once again awarding up...

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Local Scholarships Often Go Unclaimed in Collier and Lee Counties

Bonita Shores offers three $500 college scholarships for high school seniors in that community, but in 2025 nobody applied. Longshore Lakes in North Naples offers...

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Domestic Violence Resources in Southwest Florida

October marks National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time when communities unite to support survivors, educate families, and work toward ending intimate partner violence. For families...

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Tips for Affordable Family Fun and Entertainment in SWFL

A typical family with parents and their two kids are ready for a typical family outing. The movies, bowling, and mini golf have been long...

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Many SWFL Parents Now Need Second Jobs to Pay the Bills

Despite working full-time jobs, Southwest Florida moms struggle to make ends meet due to rising costs. From social workers to stay-at-home moms, many are turning to side hustles and starting small businesses to survive.

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A three-step guide to uncover what college REALLY costs

Here are three things you can do to learn which colleges may fit into your family’s budget.

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Grandparents

A Grandparent’s Guide to Supporting Neurodiverse Grandchildren with Love and Patience

The role of grandparents in families with children with special needs cannot be underestimated. Here is a guide for how to support neurodiverse grandchildren.

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Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Amidst Challenges and Love

Explore the heartwarming journey of Celeste Lynch, one of millions of grandparents in the US raising their grandchildren. Discover the love, challenges, and resilience in their unique story.

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Destination: “Me” Trip with Grandparents

Grandparents get special bonding time when they take their grandchildren alone on vacation.

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Collier Grandparents Making Huge Difference at Parkside Elementary

Supporting the efforts of the staff are Parkside’s volunteers. One of the most significant efforts at the school recently has been the recruitment of more volunteers, principally retirees.

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Memories of My Grandparents

Grandparents are the windows to our past and, through their experiences, the keys to our future if we choose to grab them.

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Health

Get Kids to Eat the Rainbow

Rainbows are not just for finding a pot of gold – they are also essential to good health! One of the simplest ways to improve...

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Is Black Henna Safe for Kids?

Black henna tattoo safety for kids in SWFL matters more than many families realize. The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) is reminding...

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Where to Get Free Walk-in Health Screenings in Collier and Lee Counties in February 2026

Free walk-in health screenings are available in Collier and Lee Counties this February through Premier Mobile Health Services’ mobile medical clinic. The nonprofit clinic is...

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What an Autism-Friendly Dentist and Certified Autism Center Means for Kids in Collier and Lee Counties

Choosing an autism-friendly dentist in Collier and Lee Counties can transform a stressful appointment into a calmer, more predictable experience for your child. For autistic...

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Free Children’s Dental Screenings in Collier County on Feb. 28

Free children’s dental screenings in Collier County are happening on Feb. 28 at Nichols Community Health Center in Naples. Hosted by the Florida Department of...

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How to Improve Indoor Air Quality for Kids in SWFL

When parents think about keeping their children safe, they often focus on car seats, helmets, and healthy meals. But what about indoor air quality for...

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Parenting

Hot Car Death Prevention in Collier and Lee Counties: Park. Look. Lock.

Hot car death prevention in Collier and Lee Counties starts with one simple habit: Park. Look. Lock. On an 80-degree day, the temperature inside a...

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How To Connect With Your Teen When They Pull Away

If you’re trying to connect with your Collier and Lee County teen and it suddenly feels harder, you’re not imagining it. The child who once...

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What the Winter Olympics Can Teach kids in Collier and Lee Counties

If you have a young athlete in Collier or Lee County, you might be wondering what the Winter Olympics can teach kids beyond who wins...

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How is the Super Mom Myth Shaping Burnout for Collier and Lee County Moms?

The super mom myth often looks like cold coffee on the counter, a never-ending to-do list, and the pressure to keep every ball in the...

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School Anxiety in Collier and Lee Counties: When School Feels Like Too Much

For many families, school anxiety in Collier and Lee Counties is no longer a rare crisis. A kindergartener is having severe anxiety after starting school...

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How Can Telehealth Help Families in Collier and Lee Counties?

Telehealth for families in Collier and Lee Counties makes it much easier to fit healthcare into real life. Instead of rushing across town, sitting in...

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Special Needs

How Music Therapy Helps Children with ADHD in Collier and Lee Counties

ADHD doesn’t arrive with instructions. It shows up in missed cues, spiraling mornings, unfinished sentences — and a parent’s mind searching for traction. A child...

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How Compass Hotel Naples Is Creating a More Inclusive Stay for Families

An inclusive hotel stay for autism families can feel like a small miracle. When a hotel says its staff is trained to support guests with...

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Support for Sensory-Friendly Experiences for Kids in SWFL

Sensory-friendly experiences in Naples are growing, thanks to an expanded partnership between Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples and Lee Health’s Golisano Children’s Hospital. Together, they...

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What an Autism-Friendly Dentist and Certified Autism Center Means for Kids in Collier and Lee Counties

Choosing an autism-friendly dentist in Collier and Lee Counties can transform a stressful appointment into a calmer, more predictable experience for your child. For autistic...

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Developing Executive Functioning Skills in Teens with Additional Needs: How Summer Routines Build Growth and Independence

Supporting Healthy Development During a Critical Transition Adolescence is a pivotal time when teens begin to seek independence, even as the brain—particularly areas governing impulse...

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Naples Student Organizes Teddy Bear Toss to Support Children with Special Needs

Devyn Seidner was fascinated by the teddy bear toss she saw at a Florida Everblades ice hockey game at Hertz Arena in Estero. The heartwarming...

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