by Gayle Swift | Jul 17, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Difficult Discussions, Foster Parenting, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
As an adult, a nasty little gremlin occasionally lurks in my mind’s ear. Usually, I can activate my mute button and silence the negativity—but not always. This inner voice sabotages efforts, magnifies doubts, inflates faults and rehashes mistakes. This gremlin knows...
by GIFT Coach | Jun 30, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Foster Parenting, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
I’m an avid reader with fairly broad taste but I especially enjoy books that touch my heart, stir my emotions or provoke deep thought. When a book meets all three of these criteria, it becomes a life-long favorite. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is an unforgettable...
by GIFT Coach | Jun 5, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Foster Parenting, General Discussion, International Adoption, Strengthening Family Relationships
I have just returned from a family trip to Machu Picchu, Peru – high in the peaks of the Andes Mountains. What connection does this have with adoption? Within minutes of our arrival, we were invited to share some wedding cake by a lovely Peruvian-American bride...
by Gayle Swift | Apr 11, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Foster Parenting, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
I was listening to an audio recently on the topic of children & praise. As a parent I enjoy encouraging my children, noticing and commenting on their efforts. The unique point made in this discussion was this: praise the effort not the product. At first, this...
by gayles | Mar 21, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Strengthening Family Relationships
“You are Not My Real Mother!” I imagine every adoptive parent dreads hearing these words being spoken by their beloved adopted child. My daughter is now 23 years old. When she screamed that dreaded sentence, she was 9—frustrated and very angry. Her words stung in that...
