Adoption Wise

Latest Episodes:

#19: How to Stay Connected to Kids Not Living at Home Dec 11, 2018

Show notes

What are some great ways to say connected with kids who aren't living at home? Melissa and Lisa share their experiences of having children leave home for a short time or longer - some happy reasons and some hard. How do we stay connected when emotions are tough? How do we connect with our big kids when our days are consumed with younger, or simply more demanding, siblings? We share our best tips in this episode! Links Relevant to this Episode: Blog post by Melissa

#18: Intentional Parenting and Trauma-Sensitive Schools with Stacy Manning Dec 04, 2018

Show notes

Do you want your kids living their best lives at home and at school? Our guest, Stacy Manning, believes in that goal. Stacy adopted from Russia back before we were talking about trauma-informed parenting. She researched and found information on her own, which led her to develop resources and support groups for other parents. Her newest area of interest is supporting educators and providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to be trauma-sensitive teachers. We loved hearing about that, and we know you will too. Links Relevant to this episode: Adoptive & Foster Parenting Facebook Page Trauma-Sensitive Teachers Facebook Page Stacy on Instagram Stacy's Website Adoptive Parent Intentional Parent: A Formula for Building & Maintaining Your Child's Safety Net* by Stacy Manning *This is an affiliate link. Mentor Moments: This week Lisa and Melissa talk about why kids lie about silly things and what to do about it. Click here to watch the video Melissa refers to about lying.

#17: Help Your Kids Discover Their Strengths and Plan for the Future with Wendy Willard Nov 27, 2018

Show notes

Maybe you're struggling to see anything positive in your child's behaviors. Or maybe your teens' self-esteem and confidence are so low, they are convinced they are a failure. Sometimes as moms, we feel like failures or that we aren't cut out for this enormous job of raising kids with such troubled pasts. This week, Wendy Willard brings us fresh insight and practical tools for helping us discover our kids' strengths which can give us hope for the future. Remember, if it seems your child is struggling to live out his strengths, he may be feeling SLATHY. S - Shame L - Lonely A - Afraid T - Tired H - Hungry/Thirsty Y - Yucky Links Relevant to this episode: Gallup's CliftonStrengths Assessment (aka. StrengthsFinder) (Alternatively, you can purchase this book* which comes with a free code.) University of Pennsylvania’s Strength Survey for Children Playfield Institute’s Character Strengths Assessment Adopted for Daily Life: A Devotional For Adopting Moms * Wendy's Blog Wendy on Facebook *This is an affiliate link. Mentor Moments: If you have a question you'd like us to answer, send us a message by clicking here.

#16: The Ultimate Shopping Guide for Adoptive Families Nov 20, 2018

Show notes

Melissa and Lisa share some of their favorite gift ideas for the people you love, and a few suggestions for you too in this episode. Maybe you'll find some new ideas here! We'd love to hear your suggestions. Join the conversation on our private Facebook group. Babies and Toddlers Growth chart Cardboard bricks Toy kitchen Preschoolers PlasmaCar Strider bike Homemade Playdoh Click here for a tried and true recipe. Add citrus oils for an energizing experience or floral oils for a calming ritual. Duplos Gorilla gym Rice bin with toys - link to a blog post Early Elementary Kinetic Sand Adventures in Odyssey and Radio Theater Ant Farm Bird Feeder Magnatiles Later Elementary Experiences - rock climbing, trampoline park Subscriptions: magazines, Middle School Lego Robotics Suspend game Gifts to match their interests and hobbies Athletic gear - gym bag, hoodie, socks Headlamp Craft supplies Prismacolor pencils and sketchbook Headphones Teens Letter boards and magnetic poetry Gift cards Escape Room (check Groupon for a great deal) Room decor: twinkle lights, banners, posters, bulletin board Car tools and accessories - toolkit, car essential oil diffuser, organizers Tickets to a concert, sporting event, etc. Bluetooth earbuds Moms Tote bag/Carry on Personalized mom jewelry Travel pillow Handlettering Kit Yeti or Klean Kanteen travel mug House cleaning - monthly or one-time deep clean Spa gift card (or have a masseuse come on-demand to your house using Zeel) One-Line-a-Day Journal Dutch Oven Other Links Top Ten Gifts for Kids That Aren't Toys Favorite Games for Everyone DoTerra Noonday Uncommon Goods The Grommet Cate Florey Studio The Refresh Conference The Adoption Connection Facebook Group We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

#15: Using everyday tasks to build connection Nov 13, 2018

Show notes

You already know connected parenting is great, but does it ever feel too many burdens and expectations are set on your already heavy shoulders? We've both been there and know just how hard it is. Today we talk about simple ways to build connection with your children in the midst of everyday life. It's all about looking for little opportunities as we go through our days and not about making life more complicated. We have very different families, lives, and interests, so you'll hear a wide range of thoughts as we talk. Relevant Resources and Links: How To Get Your Kids To Do Chores (Without Resenting It) Schedule a Coaching Call

#14: Joys and Challenges of Fostering and Adopting as a Single Mom with Molly Ford Nov 06, 2018

Show notes

Today on The Adoption Connection podcast, Lisa sits down with her friend, Molly Ford, a single foster/adoptive mom. Molly shares her story, the good and hard. We also talk about post-adoption depression and grief that affects many parents in this beautiful and complex journey. Links Relevant to this episode: Molly Ford on Facebook Lisa and Melissa answer this reader question: My child seems nervous and worried a lot. How can I increase his felt safety?

#13: Survive the Holidays While Keeping the Joy Oct 30, 2018

Show notes

We're talking about the holidays this week. We share tips contributed by our listeners and lots of our own. This is the time to begin making plans that won't push your family over the edge. Relevant Resources and Links: Tips from Monica at Emerging Mama document.getElementById("thinkific-product-embed") || document.write('');Buy Now

#12: Lessons from a Seasoned Foster Mom with Tereasa Mansfield Oct 23, 2018

Show notes

Being a foster parent is rewarding, challenging, joyful and heartbreaking. It takes courage! Melissa sits down with seasoned foster mom, Tereasa Mansfield. Tereasa shares her fostering journey from how they became foster parents to what they’re doing now. She also talks about how she went from being lonely and overwhelmed to connected to a tribe that came through with the help she needed. Tereasa is a parent trainer and coach who motivates overwhelmed moms wanting connected relationships with their children. She also educates caregivers and professionals on the effects of toxic stress and trauma, and how healing can begin. After years of having foster children in their family, the Mansfield's have decided to close their doors. Tereasa now focuses on their three forever children at home and helping other families outside the home. If you’re a foster parent or considering becoming one, you’ll love the nuggets of wisdom Tereasa shares. Links Relevant to this episode: Tereasa on Facebook Tereasa on Instagram Lisa and Melissa answer this reader question: How can I tell if a behavior is due to trauma and adoption or just a typical kid behavior?

#11: Hope for Battle-Weary Parents with Pam Parish Oct 16, 2018

Show notes

Adoptive parenting is a tough job. It's even harder when a child is struggling with challenging behaviors—defiance, rejection, running away, drug addiction, sexual misconduct, criminal activity, attachment issues, rage and beyond. Parenting a child in crisis leaves parents worn out from isolation, exhaustion, frustration, and fear. If you are battle-weary from the day-to-day struggles of parenting a child with difficult behaviors and feel like you want to quit, you will be encouraged by Pam's faith and perseverance with her daughters. She has stubbornly stuck by her girls through multiple crises and shares her wisdom and hope in this episode. There is a brighter tomorrow! Pam Parish is the founder of Connections Homes an Atlanta-based organization impacting the lives of young adults who are aging out of foster care, homeless or without family. She and her husband, Steve, are the parents of seven young adult daughters. One of their daughters came to them through the gift of birth and six through the gift of foster care and adoption. They are also Pops and Nana to four adorable grandchildren. Links Relevant to this episode: Pam's Website Pam's books (including the devotional for Battle-Weary Parents) #28: Hope for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care with Pam Parish Lisa and Melissa answer this reader question: How do we help our kids navigate hard questions at school?

#10: Why won’t my kids just go play?!?! Oct 09, 2018

Show notes

Do you feel frustrated when your kids won’t just go play? And what about the bins of Legos and awesome craft supplies? Why won’t they play with them? Or, do you see playful moms and wish you could be more like them? Lisa and Melissa both do! In this episode, Lisa interviews Melissa about play. Melissa has done her research and shares great information that will help you view play in new ways. You'll also gain insight into your kids and yourself. Relevant Resources and Links: Books (affiliate links): Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Stuart Brown Attaching Through Love, Hugs and Play: Simple Strategies to Help Build Connections with Your Child by Deborah Gray The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun by Carol Kranowitz

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