Adoption Wise

Latest Episodes:

#86: [Mentor Moment] How do you balance the needs of different children in your home? May 26, 2020

Show notes

Mentor Moments give you a chance to join the conversation as we answer a listener question. These episodes guarantee we're providing the most helpful tools and resources for exactly where you are. This week's question is: How do you balance the needs of different children in your home? They are old enough to notice that they have different rules, choices, and expectations than the other kids. I need to make sure my foster children have the structure they need to thrive and to make sure my bio children have the opportunity to grow in their independence. Share your experience and advice in our private Facebook group or ask your own question for a future episode. Click here to join. Relevant Links The Village

#85: The Enneagram and Adoption with Jeff and Beth McCord May 19, 2020

Show notes

Are you curious about how personality impacts the dynamic between you and your kids? Do they seem to see the world differently than you do? How about your spouse? In this episode, we're talking with Jeff and Beth McCord about using the enneagram to understand that we all look at life through a particular lens. Once we understand our lens and the lens of our family members, we can build even healthier relationships. We love this interview with Jeff and Beth McCord and know you will too. Relevant Links: Jeff and Beth's Website Connect with Jeff and Beth on Instagram Becoming Us by Beth and Jeff McCord* The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile* *This is an affiliate link

#84: [Mentor Moment] Where did your biggest support system come from? May 12, 2020

Show notes

Mentor Moments give you a chance to join the conversation as we answer a listener question. These episodes guarantee we're providing the most helpful tools and resources for exactly where you are. This week's question is: If we were sitting in a coffee shop, the one thing I would probably ask is did you have family and friends supporting you? Where did your biggest support system come from? Share your experience and advice in our private Facebook group or ask your own question for a future episode. Click here to join. Relevant Links The Adoption Connection Podcast #44 Should I Homeschool My Adopted Child? The Adoption Connection Podcast #54 What Should I Look For In A Mental Health Professional? The Adoption Connection Podcast #64 Finding Adoption Support In Your Church With Jen Decker

#83: Infertility and Loss with Erin Gaeng May 05, 2020

Show notes

Infertility and pregnancy loss are often a part of an adoptive family's story. This week, Erin Gaeng, shares her story of infertility and loss with both vulnerability and hope. We also talk about the husbands. Everyone forgets the husbands! If you want to connect with Erin, you can pretty much always find her at Disney World. She hangs out on Instagram @erinfrommaryland. Relevant Links: The Adoption Connection Facebook group

#82: Helping Our Kids Process Loss and Disappointment During the Quarantine Apr 28, 2020

Show notes

Our kids are struggling with disappointment over things that have been lost due to quarantine - track season, dance recitals, and prom, for example. Lisa's daughter, Claire, is finishing her senior year of high school without a graduation ceremony. Today we're talking about recognizing grief and supporting our kids. Additionally in this episode, we talk honestly about grief surrounding foster care and adoption through the lens of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's Five Stages of Grief, plus an additional sixth stage. Links Relevant to this episode: 5 Stage of Grief Episode 20: The Bitter and Sweet of Foster Care Reunification with Jamie Finn Episode 31: 7 Ways for Parents to Relieve a Stressed-Out Brain

#81: Adoption and Foster Care Book Reviews Just For You with Lanaya Graham Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

We love a good book, and if it's about adoption, all the better. We were delighted to discover the Instagram account Adoption.books where Lanaya Graham reviews adoption and foster care themed books, particularly those with adoptee and birthparent voices. Relevant Links: Lanaya's website Connect with Lanaya on Instagram Books mentioned in this episode: The Primal Wound* The Connected Child* Growing Grace* Little Fires Everywhere* The Cactus* The Language of Flowers* You Don't Look Adopted* Far From the Tree* Families Change* The Girls Who Went Away* Star of the Week* Lion* *This is an affiliate link

#80: Pandemic Schooling Advice from a School Counselor Apr 14, 2020

Show notes

Surprise! Your kids are now doing school at home. Have you gotten past the shock? You may be wondering just what a school day should look like. You may also be trying to figure out how much of the work planned by teachers needs to be completed. Our guest today is Maria Hansen-Quine. She is a school counselor and the mom of nine kids including some who joined her family through adoption. With insight into parenting and educating children with trauma histories, Maria shares her tips for navigating the uncharted waters of education during a pandemic. Regulation Ideas: Our Before-School Regulation Plan (using with her 4th grade boy) - Keep it tight (no last minute changes) - Pre-agreed upon breakfast (food schedule) - Pre-agreed upon clothes laid out the night before - No electronic OR playing with toys before school - 10 minutes of jumping on the trampoline by themselves before breakfast (and if really heightened - after breakfast as well) - For bad weather, use rocking chair or inside swing - Pet Time (2-5 minutes) - Times of connection with parent (2-5 minutes) - If not regulated, does not start school Throughout the Day Regulation Ideas - Rocking chair for 10 minutes - Running and/or walking - Playing basketball outside or inside (shooting hoops) - Music - Chewing Gum and or hard candy to suck on - Weighted blanket - Drawing and/or coloring - Keeping a Thankful Journal - Bath/Hot Tub/Shower - Sports and/or something active - Weighted lap blanket - Sensory Sock - Jump Rope - Pull Up Bar for the door - Push Ups and/or sit-ups and/or wall push ups - Planks - Agreed Upon Time with Toys (Legos) - Protein snack such as cheese, nuts, meat or eggs - Physical Competitions - Inside Hopscotch (use strong tape to mark it off) - Chalking in the garage - Bike ride/scootering/skateboard - Daily writing positive self-affirming sentences, i.e. “I can stay calm. I can trust my family. I can do my school work and if I need help I will ask” - Something non-electronic which your child normally enjoys (yet something which they will not get so completely lost in that stopping it will cause frustration) - Breathing Apps (“Breathe” or “Calm Down”) Relevant Links: Maria's Blog Connect with Maria on Instagram Connect with Maria on Facebook Brain Quest books* *This is an affiliate link

#79: Exploring the Complexities of Transracial Adoption with Tara VanderWoude Apr 07, 2020

Show notes

Do you ever wish you could get a deeper understanding of what it's like to be adopted? Today's guest, Tara VanderWoude, is an adopted person and adoptive mom. She speaks with candor, humor, and passion about talking to our kids about adoption, the importance of having realistic expectations before adopting, returning to Korea with her family, and more. Relevant Links: Tara's Website Connect with Tara on Facebook Connect with Tara on Instagram

#78: [Mentor Moment] How do I overcome my body’s trauma response? Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

Mentor Moments give you a chance to join the conversation as we answer a listener question. These episodes guarantee we're providing the most helpful tools and resources for exactly where you are. This week's question is: How do I overcome my body's trauma response? Share your experience and advice in our private Facebook group or ask your own question for a future episode. Click here to join. Relevant Links EMDR Tension, Stress, and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE)

#77: Accepting Our Kids Without Giving Up on Them with Eileen Devine Mar 24, 2020

Show notes

Do you ever wonder if you're expecting too much from your child? Or maybe too little? How can you support your child and have appropriate expectations? Eileen Devine, LCSW, joins us today to talk about radical acceptance from a neurobehavioral model. She offers practical tips you're doing to love. Relevant Links: FREE Parenting Reflection Journal Eileen's Website Connect with Eileen on FB Connect with Eileen on Instagram Rising Strong by Brene Brown* The Adoption Connection Facebook Group The Village *This is an affiliate link

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected