by GIFT Coach | Jun 19, 2013 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, Faith and Values, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
June is associated with celebrations: Fathers Day, graduations and weddings. We undertake each of these benchmark events with expansive visions of success. What does it take to move beyond wishing to achieve the fulfillment of our dreams? The obvious answer is...
by GIFT Coach | Jun 11, 2013 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Faith and Values, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
As we continue to explore the importance of fathers in our lives, we came across this TED Talk link to Andrew Solomon’s presentation. A gay man, he shared his parents’ attitude to his “otherness.” While they came to accept his being gay, they hung onto their sense of...
by GIFT Coach | May 1, 2013 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
According to Webster’s Dictionary—both the print and on-line versions—a mother is defined as a woman who has borne a child. How does this cultural prejudice affect the way adoptive moms see themselves? As an adoptive parent have you ever questioned the legitimacy of...
by GIFT Coach | Mar 29, 2013 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
During this past month we’ve explored the way walls function in our lives to protect and defend us. It is important for us to know when to open these defenses and especially vital to teach our children these same skills. When we are in a moment of confrontation, we...
by Sally A | Mar 20, 2013 | Blogs by Gayle Swift, Blogs by Joann DiStefano, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
The unsettling behaviors of our traumatized children can trigger our own traumas and beliefs. We unconsciously activate our defense systems and shelter behind our walls. This may cause us to second guess our ability to parent. Perhaps, we may even respond with...
by GIFT Coach | Sep 11, 2012 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Gayle Swift, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors
What are the Barriers to Sharing Difficult Information? A recent discussion with adoption professionals focused on parents who choose to withhold difficult information from adopted children. A question was posed: Is the motivation to protect the child or for the...
