by GIFT Coach | Mar 13, 2014 | General Discussion, White privilege
Adoptive families–whether they’ve adopted transracially or not–experience being seen as different and sometimes, as “less than” other families. Living as a multicultural family amplifies the obvious differences and the frequency of encountering...
by GIFT Coach | Nov 13, 2013 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion
What compelled you to write “ABC, Adoption & Me”? Adoption brought great joy to my husband and me. We were thrilled to leave childlessness behind and to join the ranks of “Parents.” As the children were growing up, we worked hard to make...
by GIFT Coach | Nov 8, 2013 | General Discussion
It takes great effort to remain calm during a verbal attack launched by an out of control child. The natural inclination is to feel offended by the ugly words hurled. Striving to love and care for their child, a parent may feel crushed to hear,...
by GIFT Coach | Oct 23, 2013 | Birth parent relationships, General Discussion, 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....
by GIFT Coach | Oct 17, 2013 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors
Before your child joined your family and you and your child’s birth parents chose Open Adoption, it probably seemed fairly simple. You developed a plan that suited your child and both sets of parents. The reality of Open Adoptions, however, often becomes more...
by GIFT Coach | Oct 9, 2013 | General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors
What are your goals as a parent and how do you know you’re progressing toward them? Have you and your partner identified a clear idea that is based on shared definitions? Or are you operating on assumptions that you both want the same results? Successful...
