Adoption Wise

Latest Episodes:

#175: Helping Your Child Honor and Grieve Birth Parents with Jennifer Woolley May 10, 2022

Show notes

Jennifer has a unique perspective because of the opportunity she’s had to walk through the adoption journey as a birthmother and also as an adoptive mother. Faced with an unplanned pregnancy in college, Jennifer chose to place her son for adoption. After marrying her husband, Rusty in 2005, God led them through infertility to reveal His plan for them to grow their family through adoption. Through the very same agency that Jennifer placed her son, they were given the chance to become parents to two more sons. "As parents of adopted children, we have the sometimes difficult job of teaching them to embrace their stories. No matter what hard places they come from, those roots and their birth family are a piece of their identity that we must love and honor. By doing that, we give our children the confidence to love themselves because of the honor and love that we show.” As an adoptive mom, Jennifer has been given the opportunity to use the rejection and loss that she feels as a birthmother, to help her sons celebrate the life that they have been given and understand the love of their birthmothers. As you hear Jennifer’s story and begin to see through the eyes and heart of a birthmother, may it help you more clearly identify ways to love your child by honoring the one who chose life for them. Click here to download a transcript for this episode. Relevant Links Connect with Jennifer on Instagram Connect with Jennifer on IG Email Jennifer at jhiltebeitel@outlook.com

#174: Encouragement for Weary Moms as Mother’s Day Approaches May 03, 2022

Show notes

The emotional response to Mother's Day can be complicated, even more so for adoptive and foster moms. This week, we want you to feel seen and encouraged. We have some special messages from moms in our community to boost your spirits. Bring your tissue box. Click here to download a transcript for this episode.

#173: [workshop] Letting Go of Shame-Based Strategies with Greg Lombard Rea Apr 26, 2022

Show notes

Many Christian parents worry that trust-based parenting is too lenient or permissive. After all, the book of Proverbs tells us “Spare the Rod, spoil the child.” Is it possible that trust-based principles can be found in the scriptures and that the strategies were used by Jesus? During this workshop, Greg Lombard Rea teaches us: That trust-based parenting is about transformation, not about behavior management. How Jesus showed compassion and nurtured attachment. Jesus' correcting strategies. Click here to download a transcript for this episode. Relevant Links Private Coaching with Greg TBRI Animate: Toxic Stress and the Brain on YouTube #87: The Impact of Prenatal Trauma on Children with Stacey Gagnon Join The Village for future workshops (use code: podcast)

#172: The Problem with Staying Calm Apr 19, 2022

Show notes

A lot of parents ask us, “How do I stay calm?” We want to share the brain-science behind the problem with staying calm when your child is losing their mind. Click here to download a transcript for this episode. Relevant Links #25: Regulating Through Movement and Play with Robyn Gobbel #26: What To Do When Your Child is Out of Control with Robyn Gobbel Join The Village and use code 'podcast

#171: Why the Golden Rule Doesn’t Work When Parenting with Jennifer Hiltebeitel Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

As an adoptee, Jennifer Hiltebeitel, was excited to adopt and be the mom she wished she would have had growing up. It turns out that her experience as an adoptee did not provide her with all the tools she needed to be an adoptive parent. Jennifer also candidly shares about her childhood and the impact reunifying with her birth family had on her identity. Click here to download a transcript for this episode. Relevant Links Connect with Jennifer on IG Email Jennifer at jhiltebeitel@outlook.com The Road Back to You* by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile *This is an affiliate link

#170: [mailbag] birth family visits, not having early photos, aggression towards moms Apr 05, 2022

Show notes

This week we answer listener questions such as: What if birth family visits confuse or trigger my kids? How do I help my kids process their feelings about not having photos from early childhood? What do I do when my child is aggressive towards my wife? It makes me angry! Click here to download a transcript for this episode. Relevant Links Cindy Lee on Transitions Join The Village Ask a question in our Facebook group

#169: Putting Our Hope in God When Parenting is Hard with Lisa Qualls Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

Have you ever felt like your adoption journey shipwrecked your life? How do you find hope when you can hold your head above water? This week, Lisa shares how God carried her family safely to shore. He gave them a new lens through which to view their kids and a whole new way of parenting. Click here to download a transcript for this episode. Relevant Links Lisa's blog The Connected Parent* by Lisa Qualls and Dr. Karyn Purvis *This is an affiliate link

#168: [Workshop] Connecting the Dots Between Addiction and Adoption with Jamie Engel Mar 22, 2022

Show notes

Children with a history of early adversity have a higher probability of becoming dependent on substances. In this episode, we hear from adoptee and substance abuse specialist, Jamie Engel, on ways to reduce your child's risk, how to respond to your child if they struggle with addiction, and how to find appropriate treatment. Click here to download a transcript for this episode. Relevant Links Circle City Sober Living Relinquishment and Addiction* by David Bohl and Jamie Marich Advocacy for Connected Education (Educational Consultant) *This is an affiliate link

#167: Creating a Culture of Belonging with Gaelin Elmore Mar 15, 2022

Show notes

Behind all the challenging behaviors, each child just wants to belong. This week, former foster youth and NFL player, Gaelin Elmore, shares what he was looking from adults in his life, how to create belonging for our kids, and how folks in the community can make a lasting impact. Gaelin is a professional speaker and facilitator and lives in Minnesota with his wife and daughter. Click here to download a transcript for this episode. Relevant Links Gaelin's Webiste Connect with Gaelin on Facebook Connect with Gaelin on Instagram Connect with Gaelin on LinkedIn

#166: [mailbag] TBRI with limited language, chore avoidance, lying Mar 08, 2022

Show notes

This week we answer listener questions such as: Any suggestions for using TBRI with a non-verbal child? How do you handle it when kids avoid responsibility or chores? Why can’t my child learn that if he hides his destruction from us we will be more upset than if he admits to it? Click here to download a transcript for this episode. Relevant Links #161: [workshop] A New Twist on Chores with Greg Rea Join The Village Ask a question in our Facebook group

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