by Gayle Swift | Jul 17, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Difficult Discussions, Foster Parenting, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
As an adult, a nasty little gremlin occasionally lurks in my mind’s ear. Usually, I can activate my mute button and silence the negativity—but not always. This inner voice sabotages efforts, magnifies doubts, inflates faults and rehashes mistakes. This gremlin knows...
by GIFT Coach | Jul 10, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, Foster Parenting, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
Like the Clint Eastwood movie, I have seen my share of “The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly” since adopting my two sons. I have experienced joy, anger, happiness and sadness. I have struggled with accepting what is and realizing that I can’t control...
by GIFT Coach | Jun 30, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, Foster Parenting, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
I’m an avid reader with fairly broad taste but I especially enjoy books that touch my heart, stir my emotions or provoke deep thought. When a book meets all three of these criteria, it becomes a life-long favorite. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is an unforgettable...
by GIFT Coach | Jun 26, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Lynn Cooper, Difficult Discussions, Foster Parenting, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
The following is an excerpt from Supporting Maltreated Children by Dr. Bruce Perry, M.D., Ph.D. Helping Maltreated Children Responsive adults—parents, teachers, and other caregivers—make all the difference in the lives of maltreated children, so: Nurture these...
by GIFT Coach | Jun 12, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Sally Ankerfelt, Difficult Discussions, Faith and Values, Foster Parenting, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
It’s been more than 13 years ago now since I attended a seminar on adoption as my husband and I were anxiously awaiting news that we could go and receive our son who was waiting for us – along with the clearance papers – in the Philippines. I wish I could...
by GIFT Coach | May 15, 2011 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, Difficult Discussions, Foster Parenting, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors
As a parent, and especially one who has adopted two children, I have come to believe that boundaries and manipulation are two sides of the same coin. It had been my belief that boundaries are the wall that we put up in order to feel safe within ourselves. Without that...
