by GIFT Coach | May 13, 2015 | Adoptive Parenting Skills/Tool, Blogs by Guests, Difficult Discussions, Faith and Values, General Discussion, Guest blog: Lori Holden, Open Adoption, Strengthening Family Relationships, The Adoption Triad
Lori Holden: Reader questions about open adoption relationships: What did you learn about Adoption? During a discussion of my book, The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption, held by a virtual book club two years ago, I was asked the question you see in the title above....
by GIFT Coach | Mar 11, 2015 | Blogs by Guests, Difficult Discussions, Faith and Values, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships, The Adoption Process, The Adoption Triad
Sherrie Eldridge is an award-winning author of seven books, including the best-selling Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew. (We believe it is essential reading for adoptive parents.) Her classic book, 20 Life-Transforming Choices Adoptees Need...
by GIFT Coach | Mar 4, 2015 | Blogs by Guests, Difficult Discussions, Faith and Values, General Discussion, Post Adoption Challenges & Behaviors, Strengthening Family Relationships
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...