Adoption Wise

Latest Episodes:

#67: An Unexpected Open Adoption with Tonya Dixon Jan 07, 2020

Show notes

What would you do if your young child asked you to find her birth father? Our guest today experienced that exact situation when her young daughter told her she wanted to see her birth father. The relationship with her daughter's birth mom had already evolved from being nearly closed to completely open. But this was a big step. Listen as Tonya shares her story of listening, trusting God, and putting her child's needs above her personal comfort. Books Tonya Recommends: In Their Own Voices* In Their Parents’ Voices* In Their Siblings’ Voices* All By Rita Simon and Rhonda Roorda* The Open Adoption: A Birth Father's Journey* by Darrick C. Rizzo God Found Us You* by Lisa Tawn Bergen Tween magazine, For Girls Like You, had an issue on adoption. March/April 2019. Relevant Links: The Adoption Connection Facebook Group *Affiliate links

[Winter Rewind] Parenting Teens and Young Adults with the Future in Mind Dec 31, 2019

Show notes

Do you have teens or young adults? We get more questions about parenting this group than any other. We both currently have teens at home and have launched several of our young adults. Parenting teens and young adults has unique rewards and challenges, especially when our teens have experienced trauma and adverse experiences. We’ve learned from our mistakes and successes. In the end, it all comes down to one key thing and we can’t wait to tell you about it. Don’t miss this episode about parenting with the future in mind! Additional posts about parenting teens and young adults Older Child Adoption | What I Would Have Done Differently 10 Disastrous Mistakes Parents Make in Older Child Adoption Older Child Adoption | What We Did Right More Lessons in Older Child Adoption 12 Practical Tips for Parenting Teens A Three-Point Plan for Parenting Middle Schoolers

[Winter Rewind] Giving Voice to Siblings Dec 24, 2019

Show notes

If your family is a blend of kids by birth and adoption/foster care, or if you had an established family created by adoption and then added new children from “hard places,” don’t miss this interview with Lisa’s daughter, Annarose. How do siblings in the family feel, and what do they experience, when you add children to the family through adoption or foster care? What if the new children come with lots of challenges? In this episode, Lisa interviews her daughter and middle child of eleven, Annarose, about the challenges and blessings of being a sister to kids through adoption. Annarose loves life, adventure, and Jesus. At the time of the interview, she was studying abroad in Colombia, South America. Links Relevant to this episode: Have your children take Lisa's sibling survey here. Giving Voice to Siblings Part 1 and Part 2. Big Kid Date Night What about the siblings?

#66: Can Neurofeedback Help Your Adopted Child? (with Sarah Jordan) Dec 17, 2019

Show notes

What if you could understand more of how your child's brain functions? What if you could even map it? Today's guest, Sarah Jordan, is a therapist and neurofeedback practitioner. She does a great job explaining neurofeedback and answering questions about how it can be used to help children. Relevant Resources and Links: Big Boo Cast: Episode 161 – Holiday Gift Guide Volume 1 Big Boo Cast: Episode 162 Part 2 of the Gift Guide for Men and Women Neurotherapy Northwest Website Neurotherapy on Facebook Biofeedback Certification International Alliance Recommended Insurance Code: 90901 Join us for 30 Days of Hope in January Buy Faith, Hope, & Connection. Join our Facebook group.

#65: Heartwarming Holiday Stories for Adoptive Families Dec 10, 2019

Show notes

The holidays can be challenging and require us to work hard. We need to support each other. We also want to encourage you that in the midst of the hard work of parenting, there are many moments to celebrate. We asked our listeners to call in and share heartwarming holiday moments from their families. We think you'll love hearing their stories as much as we did. Relevant Links #13: Survive the Holidays While Keeping the Joy Faith, Hope, & Connection Devotional Join our FB Group for 30 Days of Hope

#64: Finding Adoption Support In Your Church with Jen Decker Dec 03, 2019

Show notes

Many adoptive and foster parents feel supported by their churches before bringing new children into the family and in the early months following placement. As the needs grow enthusiasm seems to wane and parents are left feeling isolated and in need of help. In today's episode, Lisa interviews Jen Decker, who runs a thriving ministry for adoptive and foster parents at her church in Kansas City, Missouri. We discuss how parents can seek support and how churches can meet those needs. Relevant Resources and Links: Connect with Jen Re: Conference Live the Promise Promise 686 Article: "Walk a Mile in Baby's Booties" Join our FREE Facebook Group Join The Village before December 6

#63: Should CBD Oil Be Used with Kids with Tereasa Mansfield Nov 19, 2019

Show notes

What is CBD oil and can it help kids? Is it even legal? Wait -- are we talking about marijuana? Get your questions answered today when we interview our guest, Teresa Mansfield who is not only educated about CBD oil, but she's also an adoptive mom. Learn about another potential tool to help your children and yourself. Relevant Resources and Links: Join The Village before December 6 Tereasa on Facebook Tereasa on Instagram Tereasa's CBD Support Group PubMED (a search engine for scientific studies) CBD Education and Certification

#62: [Mentor Moment] How Can I Set My Kids Up For Success At Holiday Gatherings? Nov 12, 2019

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: My extended family expects us to join in the family holiday gathering. My kids are doing pretty well, but I want to set them up for success and minimize the chances of a huge meltdown. Can you give me some ideas? Share your experience and advice in our private Facebook group. Click here to join. Do you have a question you'd like us to answer on a future episode? Call our listener hotline, 24 hours a day, at (208) 741-3880 to record your question. Relevant Links Faith, Hope, & Connection Devotional #13: Survive the Holidays While Keeping the Joy

#61: A Transracial Adoptee’s Thoughts on Growing Up Black in a White Family Nov 05, 2019

Show notes

If you could have a candid conversation with a transracially adopted young black man, what would you want to ask him? This is the question we asked members of our Facebook group prior to Lisa's interview with Derek Hamer. He shares his story with vulnerability that helps us see through his eyes. Relevant Resources and Links: Waking Up White: and Finding Myself in the Story of Race* by Debby Irving The Skin I'm In* by Sharon Flake No One Ever Asked* by Katie Ganshert The Color of Us* by Karen Katz Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? * by Beverly Daniel Tatum The Adoption Connection Facebook Group *affiliate link

#60: [Mentor Moment] How Do I Increase My Child’s Felt Safety? Oct 29, 2019

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: My child seems nervous and worried a lot. How can I increase his felt safety? Be attuned. Name it to tame it. Give voice. Validate emotions. Offer appropriate control. Match arousal energy in a controlled way. Stay playful. Remain curious. Be consistent. Keep it concrete. Less is more. Speak your child's Love Language. Consider the Safe and Sound Protocol. Share your experience and advice in our private Facebook group. Click here to join. Do you have a question you'd like us to answer on a future episode? Call our listener hotline, 24 hours a day, at (208) 741-3880 to record your question. Relevant Links Faith, Hope, & Connection Devotional 5 Love Languages Quiz Safe and Sound Protocol

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