by GIFT Coach | Mar 13, 2014 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, General Discussion
Adoptive families—whether they’ve adopted transracially or not—experience being seen as different and sometimes, as “less than” other families. Living as a multicultural family amplifies the obvious differences and the frequency of encountering prejudice. In...
by GIFT Coach | Mar 6, 2014 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, General Discussion
Adoptive parents frequently hear themselves called heroes for choosing to adopt. While it is intended as a compliment, there is a subtle negative judgment implied: our children are perceived as burdens they’d never have the courage to shoulder. What is the effect of...
by GIFT Coach | Mar 2, 2014 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, Difficult Discussions, General Discussion
Split at the Root: a Memoir of Love and Identity, packs a riveting story. Against a lush tropical backdrop, a remarkable story of transracial “adoption” unfolds. As an adoption coach and an adoptive parent, I found her story riveting. It kept me up late...
by GIFT Coach | Feb 13, 2014 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Blogs by Joann DiStefano
As we are deep in the throes of winter, along comes February, with the promise of romance and sweet connection. Forget Valentine bliss, Swiss chocolate and long-stemmed roses. For many of you right now, it is not the holiday that occupies your thoughts. It’s the...
by GIFT Coach | Jan 22, 2014 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Blogs by Joann DiStefano
Empathy is an essential human skill that enriches relationships, smooths life’s bumps, and enhances life’s joys. Empathy isn’t intuitive. It is a skill that must be taught. For some children—especially those with Tough Start histories—learning empathy takes more time...
by GIFT Coach | Jan 15, 2014 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, General Discussion, Infant Adoption, International Adoption, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships, The Adoption Triad
Adoption is a journey for all involved. #adoptionblogcarnival GIFT is collaborating this week with fellow travelers on their journey of adoptive life. Enjoy reading the various perspectives. Tell us how their message connected with your experience of life in an...
