by Gayle Swift | May 23, 2018 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Difficult Discussions
In our two previous blogs, we focused on the role of the family adoption library as a way to facilitate important yet perhaps difficult conversations about adoption complexity. Books are one of many tools parents can draw upon to help them. The most salient point in...
by Gayle Swift | May 9, 2018 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion
Adoption deeply influences a family. IT MATTERS! Families must talk about it. If we resist or avoid conversations about adoption, our children will falsely infer that their adoption is a shameful secret. This may lead them to have conflicted emotions, identity...
by Gayle Swift | May 2, 2018 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Family dynamics, General Discussion
Last weekend my son turned thirty-three.* (He’s grown a fair bit since this photo was taken!) We marked the day with the usual festivities including ice cream cake, candles to blow out, voices raised in off-key song. Sounds pretty typical but it was far from...
by Gayle Swift | Apr 25, 2018 | Adoption-attunement, Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion
Human beings are genetically programmed to desire belonging and companionship, yet life is at its core a solitary journey. In response, each of us walks through life attracting and establishing relationships and deciding who and what is important. As adoptive...
by Gayle Swift | Apr 16, 2018 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion
Healthy Relationships Grow from Intention and Commitment. I am meeting my fellow GIFT coaches this week in Sedona. Because we reside all across the US, we believe it is important to gather in person at least once a year. Our periodic retreats are our way of practicing...
by Gayle Swift | Apr 4, 2018 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion
Our last few blogs have concentrated on ways to establish and nurture deep connection within our families. Now let’s take the time to review our efforts and identify the changes that have resulted. (Notice I did not say “if” any change occurred; I...
