by GIFT Coach | Dec 5, 2013 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, Faith and Values, General Discussion, Infant Adoption, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
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 27, 2013 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Faith and Values, Foster Care Adoption, General Discussion, Strengthening Family Relationships
November is National Adoption Month. In 1985, we celebrated our first Thanksgiving as an adoptive family. We sat at table and joined hands to give thanks for our many blessings: our cozy home, the friends who joined us, the bountiful meal before us, and most...
by GIFT Coach | Nov 20, 2013 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Difficult Discussions, Faith and Values, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
We adoptive parents are thrilled to have our children in our lives. For most of us, the adoption process required determination, commitment, and persistence. Adoption changed everyone in the family, not just the adoptee. We all–parent, child, siblings, and our...
by GIFT Coach | Nov 8, 2013 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Faith and Values, General Discussion, Infant Adoption, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
In honor of National Adoption Month, GIFT is sharing the insights of adoptees. We invited them to share any thoughts which might assist families currently raising their children. Our first guest blogger is Parker Swift, pictured at left at 22 months. He is now 28....
by GIFT Coach | Oct 30, 2013 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, Difficult Discussions, Faith and Values, General Discussion, Strengthening Family Relationships
When we brought home our adopted child, dreams of a wonderful life filled our hearts. In the distant recesses of our minds, however, some fears may have lingered. Fears that our child may not attach and accept us. Fears that our child might repeat some of the mistakes...
by GIFT Coach | Oct 23, 2013 | Blogs by Joann DiStefano, Faith and Values, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
As adoptive parents observe a warm relationship between their child and his birth parents, complicated emotions may arise. Along with joy, a subtle uneasiness, envy, or sense of competition may occur. Birth parents too, may experience similarly conflicted feelings....
