Between the breaks in routine, extra treats, and overall excitement, the holidays are a perfect storm for elevated anxiety in our kids. Elevated anxiety can lead to more defiance and meltdowns–extra gifts we could go without. Read more here.
Category Archives: Adoption and Orphan Care
{Adoption Blogger Interview Project} Schumm Explosion
For the second year in a row, it’s time for the Adoption Blogger Interview Project. This year I was matched with a blogger of another large adoptive family–Allison at Schumm Explosion. They actually make us look small. I immediately related to Allison as she’s an adult adoptee who has done the crazy and has a […]
Adoption Blog Carnival | 12th Edition
Welcome to the 12th posting of the carnival. As a mother to both children by birth and through adoption, I can relate to the struggle of having to reassure my adopted children over and over and over again that they are loved with the same intensity that our bios are loved. At a post entitled […]
The Writing on the Wall
I was away speaking at Joy for the Journey this weekend which is always a risk when 2/3 of your children are attachment challenged. (Amazing retreat by the way). I joined the family at church Sunday morning partially so Sunday would be “normal.” It would give me a chance to reconnect with the kids before jumping into our […]
{Review and Giveaway} Born From the Heart
November is National Adoption Month. November 23rd is National Adoption Day. I was recently received a complimentary copy of the book Born from the Heart by Berta Serrano to review. It’s described by the publisher as “is an emotional journey of two people becoming parents through the process of adoption, showing how some children may […]
A Letter to Trauma
Dear Trauma, I’ll have to admit, you took us by surprise. You caught us off guard. It’s a pretty clever disguise you have–“pretty” is the wrong word. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you are probably the ugliest thing we have ever encountered. Anyway, we’re on to you, and we’re here to help you change […]
Disqualified
Forget the dust bunnies your social worker might see during a home visit. You might be disqualified for adoption if you… Enjoy sleep. Chances are high that your child’s history (even if he was adopted at birth) or elevated anxiety levels will disrupt his sleep patterns. Age doesn’t matter. We have a 12-year-old who frequently sleep walks […]
A Letter to our Village
Dearest Valued Village, We immensely appreciate your compassion for our big kids over the past year. Really. And while compassion is still certainly in order, let’s not confuse compassion for pity. Compassion will keep your challenges to them kind while pity will allow them to take advantage of you. Consider this written notice that the pity […]