by gayles | Aug 4, 2022 | General Discussion
Digital photography makes it easy for us to snap dozens—if not hundreds of pictures of our kids documenting almost every moment and milestone of their lives. As toddlers, they learn to pose for the cameras on mom or dad’s phones. Then eagerly and often, they...
by gayles | Jun 1, 2022 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion
Human beings have a primal need for “felt safety.” This need is intensified in adoptees. According to Maslow’s hierarchy, the need for safety is second only to the need for food and shelter. When we feel afraid, our need to achieve safety is further...
by GIFT Coach | Apr 27, 2022 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion
In our culture, we celebrate motherhood and moms. If you are a mother, On Mother’s Day, most likely your family may honor you with gifts. Whether these gifts are large or small, inexpensive or costly, handmade by little ones or purchased, you will treasure the...
by gayles | Apr 6, 2022 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and is intended to prevent child abuse as well as raise awareness of it. Both are worthy goals. Growing Intentional Families Together supports them. So, what can we do to prevent child abuse? An obvious first step is to...
by gayles | Mar 30, 2022 | Adoptee experience, Adoption Attunement, Adoption-attunement, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Family dynamics, General Discussion, parenting dream
Bananas, Cacti, and Kids–What do they have in common? Stay with me and I will explain. The old maxim that “April showers bring May flowers” helps us appreciate that certain ingredients must be present so a plant can flourish: water, air,...
by gayles | Mar 9, 2022 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion, Living adoption, Strengthening Family Relationships
“Parenting is the toughest job that you will ever love,” my grandma who was the mother of 14 children, warned me. I agree with her; Parenting has proved to be the hardest and the most joyful part of my life. Parenting is not for the faint-hearted,...
