Blog
Father and Mother lifting up child playfully

The Journey and Beauty of Adoption

Adoption is one of the strongest forms of love and connection. It helps build families and hearts. Adoption creates families built on choice, care, and commitment. Every adoption story is different, but they all share one truth: family is about belonging, not blood.

My family began through adoption after years of trying to have a baby. When it started to feel hopeless, we decided to look into adoption. We researched agencies, took parenting and adoption classes, and two and a half years later, we were matched with our son’s birth mom. Six months after his birth, the adoption was finalized. It was a long, hard journey, but so worth it.

 Click to Read
man holding a box of vegetables

Cleveland Families: Where to Find Food, Holiday Help & Everyday Essentials

If your family could just use a little extra support right now, you’re not alone. We’ve gathered a list of local resources for food, diapers, and family essentials. Please share with anyone who might need it. Our community is stronger when we look out for one another. 

Note: This guide is intended to be timely, but availability, hours, restrictions, and application deadlines may change. We recommend visiting each website or calling ahead to confirm details before accessing services.
 Click to Read
Mom and daughter sitting on yoga mats doing yoga pose together

Taking Care of Yourself Helps You Take Care of Your Child

It’s completely normal for parents to feel tired, frustrated, or overwhelmed sometimes. Parenting is hard work! What matters most is how we handle stress when it shows up.

Some stress is actually good for us. It helps us stay alert, get things done, and care for our families. But when stress builds up and doesn’t go away, it can turn into chronic stress. That kind of stress can make it hard to take care of ourselves and our children.
 Click to Read
Child in green shirt hugging parent who is facing towards back in outside setting

Helping Kids with Autism Handle Big Feelings

Parenting a child with autism can bring both challenges and joys. Big feelings and strong reactions can make some moments harder, but every child has the ability to grow. With patience, routine, and lots of love, children with autism can learn healthy ways to understand and manage their emotions. Here are some steps you can try, with insights from the ConneXtion Conference I attended this past June.

 Click to Read
baby with dog

Baby Safety 101: Essential Tips for Parents

September is Baby Safety Month! We’re here to share important safety tips every parent should know. Research shows that the more aware we are of dangers and the more steps we take to reduce risk, the less likely our children are to get hurt. Still, accidents can happen to anyone, so staying cautious is always important.

 Click to Read
child raising hand

6 Fun Traditions to Make the School Year Memorable + Free Download

Starting small school traditions you can implement all year long creates memories your kids will look forward to year after year. Here are some simple school traditions you can start today.
Click to Read
back to school

Back-to-School Freebies & Family Event Guide: August 2025

The countdown to back-to-school season is officially on! Whether you're savoring the last days of summer or already had the first day of school jitters on behalf of your little one, now’s the time to get ahead of the game. In this post, we’re rounding up some fun and helpful back-to-school events happening in our community that you won’t want to miss. These events involve free giveaways, community resources - or both. To stay most up-to-date, be sure to bookmark our community calendar.
Click to Read
family

July 27th is National Parents' Day: Let’s Celebrate You

Parenting is a job with no clock-out time, no user manual, and very few quiet moments.  It’s rewarding. It’s exhausting. It’s full of surprises, sacrifices, and small wins that often go unnoticed. That’s why National Parents’ Day was created. Celebrated on the fourth Sunday of July (this year on July 27), it’s a day to pause, take a breath, and honor all parents and parent-figures for the heart-filled work you do every single day.
Click to Read
kids playing in sprinkler

35 Free Splash Pads & Spray Parks to Cool Off at in Cuyahoga County

Welcome to “35 Free Splash Pads & Spray Parks to Cool Off at in Cuyahoga County,” your go-to guide for family-friendly, no-cost water fun this summer! From the City of Cleveland’s network of spray basins that turn on when temps hit around 80°F to suburban splash pads open seasonally, these 20 locations offer refreshing ways to beat the heat without breaking the bank. There’s something here for every summer vibe you’re seeking!  
 Click to Read
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much - helen keller

Working for Bright Beginnings

When I started working for Bright Beginnings, my own children were ages 4 (almost 5!) and 2.  I had many of the same parenting concerns you have, and remember finding myself at work surrounded by people who cared…. who were knowledgeable… who listened…. This brings us to today – many years later (with a few organizational name changes thrown in) where I am lucky to be the Director of this great organization composed of over 100 amazing, committed, caring, knowledgeable staff that support each other as well as the families we serve.
Click to Read