by GIFT Coach | Feb 11, 2016 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion
Busy-ness and the stress that accompanies it overwhelms most families. We scramble to find enough time to cram in the basics, get everybody up and out the door on time to face the day at school and work. Meals unfold in a hubbub of activity. You need two dozen cookies...
by GIFT Coach | Feb 3, 2016 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
Most of us adoptive parents spent many childless years pursuing the holy grail of parenthood. During the waiting process, we promised ourselves and our partners, that we would do “anything” if only we could become parents. (And we meant it!) We envisioned...
by GIFT Coach | Jan 27, 2016 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Difficult Discussions, General Discussion
Let’s face it, as adoptive families we frequently must field intrusive/offensive questions about our family, children and adoption. What Do I Say Now? by Carol Bick and M. C. Baker, illustrated by Sophie Meyer helps us address this issue. The book uses a...
by GIFT Coach | Jan 20, 2016 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, community, Difficult Discussions, General Discussion, International Adoption, Strengthening Family Relationships
Adoptees tell us that they frequently feel like they don’t quite fit in either their adoptive or birth families. This is not to say that they don’t feel attached, loved and welcomed. Rather it speaks to their challenge of living with the influences of...
by GIFT Coach | Jan 13, 2016 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, General Discussion
Most of us are familiar with the classic childhood song, “The Wheels on the Bus.” My kids delighted in singing the lyrics and acting out the accompanying gestures –swishing wipers, rolling wheels, children bumping up and down, etc., . As an adoptive...
by GIFT Coach | Jan 7, 2016 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Faith and Values, General Discussion, Strengthening Family Relationships
As we zip into this new year, how can we keep the lessons learned while leaving behind the weight of anger and regret? By choosing forgiveness–not amnesia– we can avoid the potholes inherent in “expectation” and instead choose acceptance. This...
