by Gayle Swift | Jul 11, 2018 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Family dynamics, General Discussion
As adherents of Adoption Attunement, we believe that having fun together as a family is an integral factor in building successful connection and attachment. It is far too easy to get hyper-focused on the education and discipline aspect of parenting and to lose sight...
by Gayle Swift | May 2, 2018 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Family dynamics, General Discussion
Last weekend my son turned thirty-three.* (He’s grown a fair bit since this photo was taken!) We marked the day with the usual festivities including ice cream cake, candles to blow out, voices raised in off-key song. Sounds pretty typical but it was far from...
by GIFT Coach | Feb 8, 2017 | Adoption-attunement, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Family dynamics, General Discussion, Intentional Parenting
Last month we focused on accumulating information to underpin some intentional change-making. Today’s tips can help you implement change even if you didn’t participate in last month’s series. (It’s not too late to follow the exercise outlined...
by GIFT Coach | Nov 23, 2016 | Adoption constellation, Adoption-attunement, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Family dynamics
Thanksgiving centers on gratitude; that is the very reason for its existence. As adoptive parents we must be mindful of the hot button issue that often connects gratitude and adoption. Adoptees frequently hear that they “should” feel “lucky”...
by GIFT Coach | Aug 15, 2016 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Family dynamics, General Discussion, Intentional Parenting
As a first-time grandmother, I watch my year-old grandson with fascination and amazement. Like all babies, fierce determination drives him to learn. He takes trial and error in stride and innately understands that failure is the cost of mastery. I watch him and...
by Gayle Swift | Jun 29, 2016 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Family dynamics, General Discussion
Adoption complicates family life; it brings tangled emotions, high stakes, and passionate commitment. Adoption also adds the challenge of handling inevitable grief, loss, and identity issues of everyone in the family. (Yes, that includes both children and parents!)...
