by GIFT Coach | Feb 25, 2015 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Difficult Discussions, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors
In our recent blog post we discussed The 5 Love Languages of Children, by Chapman & Campbell and learned the benefits of using a child’s primary Love Language because it can provide a direct way to connect with them. The 5 Love Languages of Children asserts...
by GIFT Coach | Feb 12, 2015 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Guests, General Discussion
Years ago, before I had ever heard the word “attunement” associated with adoptive parenting, a therapist told me, “Your son is telling you what he can handle by his behavior.” More than anything else, those words have impacted our family for...
by GIFT Coach | Feb 11, 2015 | General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
When we love deeply, we express it in many ways–a thoughtful gesture, a loving touch, a heartfelt note or simply altering our schedule to ensure time spent together. Yet all too often, these expressions go unacknowledged. Even worse, they can occur without ever...
by GIFT Coach | Jan 28, 2015 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Foster Care Adoption, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
Adoptive parenting brings complexities that can challenge and defeat the best of us. For families whose children had difficult starts and who must cope with the fallout of trauma, the course is even more arduous. Both parent and child benefit from thoughtful and...
by GIFT Coach | Jan 14, 2015 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
Last week we discussed laughter as a way to practice joy as a family and to relieve stress. We are continuing our exploration today because we believe that sharing fun is essential for knitting families together. Consider the illustration on the left. I’m...
by GIFT Coach | Jan 7, 2015 | Family fun, General Discussion
January is named after the god, Janus. Because he possessed two faces, he had the unique ability to simultaneously look both forward and backward. Thus, he was able to maintain a perspective on the past as well as on the future. He is an apt metaphor for our children...
