How can we connect with teens?Biologically, teenagers are starting to seek independence and push away from adults – particularly their parents. This is a time when they are starting to look toward their adult life and feel like they no longer need parenting. However, they still need us! And kids from hard places need this …
“His favorite subject is math.”“Outside of school he loves to play soccer, and he’s competitive on the field.” “His greatest wish is for a bicycle.” “He loves to play outside.” These are a few of the descriptions of our host son from his bio. Initially, we were drawn to him because of his age and …
“It’s a lot easier trying not to break the bowl than to put one back together again” Lindsey H.I had a conversation with one of my most dear friends. We have both adopted teenagers and watched many around us who have done the same. I was commenting on the disconnect sometimes that families can feel …
When we think of the holiday season, most of us think of family around the table for Thanksgiving or around the tree at Christmas. Memories of years past flood our minds and hearts with the feeling of love for those that are present and those that are no longer with us. It is a special …
“Trauma” has become a buzzword over the last few years – and for good reason. Our understanding of the impacts of various traumas has grown exponentially. Parents, caregivers, medical staff, school staff, churches are all becoming more aware of the prevalence of “adverse childhood experiences” (ACEs) and how to approach the children in their care. According …
In the last month, I noticed a series of posts from a friend of mine on social media promoting “FASD Awareness.” While aware of the struggles children face when they have been exposed to alcohol prenatally, admittedly, I did not recognize the immense struggles of the parents working to raise their affected children and the …
A mother, grandmother, foster parent, pastor’s wife and developmental psychologist, Dr. Karyn Purvis was one of the most influential teachers for adoptive families and the co-founder of the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Purvis devoted her life to serving “children from hard places.”As the co-creator …
When we think of the advice given to us upon coming home from an adoption, I think being told to “cocoon” the new child is the most foreign advice for many. It is misunderstood and it feels impossible. Cocooning is limiting caregivers and exposure to new places and people in an attempt to help a …
“Do you want me to be your mom, or just to take care of you? I don’t have to be your mom, you know. You don’t even have to call me mom.” In all my little girl dreams of being a mom, these statements were never even a whisper of a thought. I dreamt of …
More often than not, when we hear about adoptions of an older child we envision a well put together family seeking to provide love and a safe home to a child that is in desperate need of a new life. We think of a family life that would live out in a “happily ever after” …
