by GIFT Coach | Jul 12, 2012 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
When I went to the dictionary to look up the word addict, the definition that most resonated with me was from the Franklin Language Master. It defined addict as “one who devotes or surrenders oneself to something habitual or excessive”. From this definition, one might...
by GIFT Coach | Mar 5, 2012 | Blogs by Joann DiStefano, General Discussion
Our lives are all different in the fact that everyone experiences different things each and every day. Even if we go to the same event, each of us will respond to the experience differently based on our history, values and beliefs. We are also conditioned to respond...
by joannd | Feb 3, 2012 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, General Discussion
While adoption can be built on seemingly a strong foundation – with parents who outwardly appear secure in their relationship and successful in their life – the inner structure may have some hidden issues that will need to be addressed. Like a house, the...
by joannd | Oct 16, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, Foster Parenting, General Discussion
It has been my experience that in order to understand how to be in a state of “calmness”, we must first understand the terms Projection and Perception. Projection is the “emotionally charged” part of us that we want to hide from others. It is...
by joannd | Aug 21, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, Foster Parenting, General Discussion, Strengthening Family Relationships
Recently, I went to the NACAC pre-conference in Denver, Colorado and heard Dr Bruce Perry speak about trauma. He mentioned how the brain stores information through repetition and how a child who has had trauma, either in utero or during their first few years of life,...
by GIFT Coach | Jul 10, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, Foster Parenting, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
Like the Clint Eastwood movie, I have seen my share of “The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly” since adopting my two sons. I have experienced joy, anger, happiness and sadness. I have struggled with accepting what is and realizing that I can’t control...
