by GIFT Coach | Dec 2, 2014 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Faith and Values, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships, The Adoption Process
At GIFT Family Services, we constantly look for ways to help families connect and create positive relationships and moments of togetherness that build healthy bonding in a family. A Facebook video posted by the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University...
by GIFT Coach | Nov 19, 2014 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion
Adoptive parents rely on a well-stocked parenting tool box. Connecting with Kids Through Stories: offers a novel technique based on sharing stories drawn from the actual experiences of a family. How can stories make a difference? How can they help children heal ,...
by GIFT Coach | Oct 30, 2014 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion
To prepare for National Adoption Month, last week we discussed the importance of parenting with a “High AQ”–parenting with adoption attunement. To recap, we stipulated that love is the beginning of adoptive family success. We also asserted that love...
by GIFT Coach | Oct 22, 2014 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion
Let’s stipulate that a healthy parent-child relationship grows in the nurturing cocoon of love. In adoptive families love is present, pervasive, intentional and committed. Unfortunately, love is not “enough” to firmly heal a child’s losses in...
by GIFT Coach | Oct 14, 2014 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Faith and Values, Foster Care Adoption, General Discussion, Infant Adoption, International Adoption, Open Adoption, Strengthening Family Relationships
Mention November and most folks think of Thanksgiving. For us here at GIFT—Growing Intentional Families Together—November brings thoughts of National Adoption Month and our gratitude for the blessing of family. Here are some ways to celebrate adoption. National...
by GIFT Coach | Oct 9, 2014 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Difficult Discussions, General Discussion, Strengthening Family Relationships, The Adoption Triad
The wonderful adoption classic, Forever Fingerprints by Sherrie Eldridge is being reissued by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. An adoptee and a staunch advocate for adoptive families writes, who LIVES the adoption journey, Sherrie connects with adoptees’ hearts and...