Articles written by Terri Combs-Orme Ph.D.

What is Helium

About me - Terri Combs-Orme Ph.D.

I am so many things, and it changes daily. I am a mother, a happy wife of 28 years, a Professor (at the University of Tennessee), and a writer. I love to garden, read, play the piano, practice tai chi, and take long walks. I hate television commercials- and

+ more bio information

RSS Feed

Parenting & Pregnancy > Baby Sleep Issues Is it OK to allow your baby to stay up late and become a "night owl"?: 1 of 25
The need for adequate sleep is not the only reason that the answer to this question is an emphatic NO, and scientific research provides data to inform us on this issue.The first few months of life are the time that the body is learning to regulate physiological systems, including the Circadian rhythms that tell us when it's t... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Adoption Is it appropriate for gay couples to adopt children?: 3 of 67
Should gay couples be allowed to adopt?I could respond to this question with several other questions: Should tall couples be allowed to adopt? Should people with allergies be allowed to adopt? Should stamp collectors be allowed to adopt?Right now, over 120,000 foster children are waiting for permanent homes and families. They... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Self-Awareness & Realization How to evaluate your life and move forward in a positive direction: 5 of 86
Most of us do it at one time or another: stroll down the memory lane of our lives to evaluate how it's going. Sometimes it's just reminiscence, but often it's a first step to changing directions, perhaps after divorce, retirement, or another life-changing event. Here are 5 tips for moving you forward in your life in a positiv... More..
Style & Beauty > Fashion Trends & Styles Keeping up with fashion: 3 of 11
Fashion: The Biggest ScamThe idle rich are not really idle, you know. Rich women must spend hours each season discarding bangle bracelets, fat heels, long skirts, and last year's colors and select all new sets of chokers, mules, short skirts, and the "new black" of the moment. It must be exhausting.Now Mother Nature abhors a ... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: Raising another woman's child: 4 of 13
I am blessed to have raised another woman's child, and I thank her everyday that he is also my child. A little more than 21 years ago I held my 10-day-old son for the first time. He was instantly and utterly mine, and I have never looked back or had a single regret. I hardly remember the pain of infertility: the acute agony o... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting Tips Tips for becoming a better parent: 15 of 30
If there is one thing that parents experience no shortage of, it's advice. Family, neighbors, strangers in line at the grocery store: all know just what you should do about your child's temper tantrum, toilet training, or trouble getting to sleep at night. From the time they are barely showing, pregnant mothers receive the pa... More..
Food & Drink > Dining & Restaurants (Other) Tips for improving restaurant service: 23 of 39
(Resubmit) From all of us moms to waiters and restaurant managers: Please go away, and take that soft drink refill with you.Somehow, experts in the "family restaurant" business have decided that the way to make children happy (here is the first error-it is the parents who have the wallets) is to supply them with bottomless so... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting Styles (Other) Potential parents: Will you copy your parents' parenting style?: 11 of 18
Potential parents: Will you copy your parents' parenting style?Most of us do not ponder this question; nor do we make a rational decision about the answer. Most of us simply do adopt our parents' parenting style.Psychological and child development research clearly shows that both dysfunctional and exemplary parenting are more... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting Tips Tips for parents raising children with special needs: 13 of 20
Raising Children with Special NeedsOf all the challenges involved in rearing a special-needs child, dealing with teachers and school personnel may be the most challenging. School personnel are over-worked, under-resourced, and have many children's needs to consider. How can you assure that your child's needs are met?1. Know y... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs My true garden story: 254 of 298
Better Character Through GardeningMy gardening reflects my personal character and, alas, I have been found wanting.Spring always finds me enthusiastic, believing again that the sunlight can come back, I can redeem my pitiful output from last year, and world peace is a real possibility. I start looking for the first snowdrops ... More..