by Cathy Tompkins, MA | Feb 10, 2020 | Thoughts for Families
I have been responsible for the oversight and management of large groups and small groups of employees over the span of my career. Many years ago I coined the term “quirk dynamics” to describe this experience. Diversity in the workplace brings many gifts but it also...
by Cathy Tompkins, MA | Dec 6, 2019 | Thoughts for Families
I sat with foster and adoptive parents at AZAFAP’s Family Camp in Prescott a few weeks ago. I’ve been attending Family Camp for about 20 years now. It would be hard to say which part of it I like best but the dance on Saturday night has to be up there. This year it...
by Cathy Tompkins, MA | Oct 15, 2019 | Thoughts for Families
I moved from a large city to a small rural college town 4 years ago. I have kept busy with grandchildren and building a house. I stay in touch with old friends, now scattered all over the country. I am fortunate to feel close to both of my children. Finally, I get...
by Cathy Tompkins, MA | Sep 15, 2019 | Thoughts for Families
I remember a teen I worked with long ago; some people just stay with you forever for lots of different reasons. (Heads up: This is a pretty dark memory.) I was very young and way in over my head as a therapist at a residential treatment center in a large city. I’ll...
by Cathy Tompkins, MA | Jul 12, 2019 | Thoughts for Families
I saw a wonderful piece of research the other day out of Harvard (https://medium.com/thrive-global/this-75-year-harvard-study-reveals-the-secret-to-happiness-and-success-3cf0002510fe). It followed 456 poor people in Boston from 1939 to 2014 (the Grant Study) 268...
by Cathy Tompkins, MA | May 24, 2019 | Thoughts for Families
The work of a foster parent is so very underestimated. The work of any caregiver is chronically under-valued and under-appreciated but the “work” a foster parent takes on is unique in this regard. This work is done in one’s own home; there is no retreat from a...
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