by GIFT Coach | Jan 7, 2016 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Faith and Values, General Discussion, Strengthening Family Relationships
As we zip into this new year, how can we keep the lessons learned while leaving behind the weight of anger and regret? By choosing forgiveness–not amnesia– we can avoid the potholes inherent in “expectation” and instead choose acceptance. This...
by GIFT Coach | Nov 18, 2015 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion
Adoptive parents had a soul-deep desire for their adopted children. It is important that we help our children understand that we benefited as much as they did when we became a family. The previous statement is point number thirteen from our Adoption Philosophy, a...
by GIFT Coach | Oct 27, 2015 | Difficult Discussions, faith, Faith and Values, Faith communities, General Discussion, paradigm shift, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
Final of a 4 part series examining the promise of faith communities as sources of healing and connection and GIFT coaches, Sally Ankerfelt and Susan David’s recent presentation at the 2015 ATTACh Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. To bring you up to speed in...
by GIFT Coach | Oct 14, 2015 | Blogs by Sally Ankerfelt, Blogs by Susan David, Faith and Values, Faith communities, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
This post is Part 2 of a 4 part series examining the promise of faith communities as sources of healing and connection and GIFT coaches’, Sally Ankerfelt and Susan David’s recent presentation at the 2015 ATTACh Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. If...
by GIFT Coach | Sep 30, 2015 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Faith and Values, General Discussion
No one accidentally adopts, right? We pursued adoption with passion. determination and single-mindedness. It required significant, time energy and commitment to become adoptive parents. We must pursue parenting with equal intensity, one that is infused with a thorough...
by GIFT Coach | Sep 9, 2015 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion
Anyone who will be involved in your post-adoption life must be a fully enrolled part of your team. (This does NOT mean they are entitled to the details of your childrens’ stories. It DOES mean that they must have a commitment of the heart that becomes their...