by GIFT Coach | Aug 19, 2015 | Benefits of support groups, General Discussion
Readers of this blog demonstrate intentionality in their parenting and an interest in enlarging their parental skill set, deepening their understanding of their children’s needs and a commitment to adoption attunement–a very admirable and worthwhile goal....
by GIFT Coach | Aug 12, 2015 | Adoptive parenting, General Discussion
Parenting can be very rewarding; it can also bring us to our knees, leaving us overwhelmed, frightened and desperate. Kids with tough starts, trauma histories and strong wills can prove difficult to manage. What parent has not had the frustrating experience of...
by GIFT Coach | Jul 29, 2015 | Blogs by Sally Ankerfelt, General Discussion
Sally Ankerfelt, one of the co-founders of GIFT Family Services recently returned from a homeland trip to the Philippines. (Sally’s middle child, Elias, was born there.) They have agreed to share their thoughts about this trip. Their experience dovetails nicely...
by GIFT Coach | Jul 22, 2015 | Birth Day--A Study in Contrast, Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion
I’ve mentioned earlier this year that our first grandchild will be born any day. I’ve been caught up in the tidal wave of excitement along with other family members and friends. A wide swath of support and joy has surrounded the delighted expectant...
by GIFT Coach | Jul 8, 2015 | Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
Growing Intentional Families Together coach, Gayle Swift writes a blog, “Writing to Connect.,” which reviews children’s books through an Adoption-attuned lens. Some books that she reviews focus on adoption-themed topics but most do not. Here are two...