The Honestly Adoption Blog
Insights, strategies, and personal stories to encourage you on the parenting journey!
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When Do You Step In And Protect Your Child From Themself?
As parents, one of our jobs is to allow our children to make their own decisions, when they’re old enough. But what do you do when you realize you need to step in and make decisions for them? How do you know when it’s time to protect them from themselves?
What Falling Off A Bike Taught Me About The Power Of Fear
Fear is a powerful emotion. We know what it feels like to be afraid of something, but we often gloss over the way fear controls our lives and most importantly, our children’s lives.
At The End Of The Day, It’s All About Relationship.
Through all of the trauma education, and attachment strategies we can learn (and certainly benefit from), our connection with our children still comes down to one factor: relationship!
Will My Child Ever Be Able To Live Independently?
We’re parenting children who have come from past trauma. Some have major special needs that require us to be hands on all the time. This begs the question: will he or she ever live on their own, apart from us?
In-Spite Of Hard Moments, This Is So Beautiful!
Often over the last several years, we’ve been asked if adoption and foster care is really worth it. Granted, this question usually comes from people outside of the journey, who are peering into our lives wondering. Our answer is a solid. YES! Here’s why…
How Do Pastors Find Help When They’re Supposed To Be Helping?
his was supposed to be a post from Kristin about taking better care of yourself while caring for children from hard places. But then I read the story of the recent suicide of California Pastor Andrew Stoecklein, after battling with depression. So I decided to talk openly and honestly about the struggle of being a pastor.
When You Say One More, But Your Kids Say No More
We know you because we are you. Your heart is bursting for vulnerable children worldwide. In fact, if you could, you would bring every child without a forever home into yours. But what do you do when your children who are already a permanent part of your home are saying, “No more”?
How To Successfully Advocate For Your Children
Your job as a parent is to make sure your children receive the best possible services. Whether this is within your school system, your pediatricians office, or your family therapist’s office. You do this because you care. But what do you do when you feel like you can’t adequately communicate the needs of your child?
Will My Husband Ever Be On The Same Page As Me With Adoption?
It’s not always the case, but often, men can be the toughest nut to crack when it comes to the adoption journey. I know from personal experience. There are a few reasons why this happens, and some key steps you can take to eventually arrive at the same place with him on this journey.
8 Common Myths About Foster Care Dispelled
For years, foster care has been misunderstood, unfairly judged, criticized through local media and television shows, and the subject of harsh headlines. It’s time to set the record straight…
Your Badly Behaved Child Is NOT A Bad Child
I used to believe that my child was just being bad. I was convinced that he was a bad kid who just wanted to make our lives hell. But then I discovered some truth that totally transformed everything I thought, and most importantly, the way I reacted!
How To Comfort A Child Who Doesn’t Want Connection
Our parenting instinct is to comfort, console, and care for our children when they are hurt, or feeling sad. But what do you do when your child pushes you away instead of letting you connect? It’s tricky, but here’s our advice…
Can You Really Ever Reach A Place Of Healing?
The answer is yes. Absolutely. You can. But it doesn’t happen in one day, overnight, or even in a year or two. We are wounded humans and we have the task of parenting children who have suffered deep wounds. It takes a lot of time. But healing is achievable. It happens step by step…
What The US Government Fails To See With The ‘No-Tolerance’ Immigration Policy
Over the past 2 weeks we have had a lot of people in our audience reach out and ask us what our response is to the crisis at the border, where people are attempting to enter the U.S. from Mexico and being separated (mothers from children in particular) and not reunited. We have watched and processed for the past few weeks and can’t really wrap our heads and hearts around what has happened to these human beings. But, here’s what we have to say…
5 Tips To Help You Navigate Summer Break With Success
We are well into summer vacation now and for many parents, the struggle is real. Because of this, we thought it would be a good idea to give you some helpful tips when it comes to success with your kids.
Incredibles 2 Is Just That….Incredible!
It’s opening week for Disney-Pixar’s Incredibles 2, and we are your central hub for all things Incredible, including a short review of the film and a very special family fun page with coloring pages, activity sheets, recipes and more!
Stories Of Transformation And Hope From Oasis!
It’s been a little more than a week since we opened enrollment for Oasis Community and the stories we are hearing have moved us, inspired us, and left us in tears. Here’s a little more about Oasis..
Why We Need Each Other On The Adoptive Journey
Community is so unbelievably important to achieving health and success with your kiddos on this journey. Even if the journey is easier for some and harder for others. We’re all in this together and we need one another.
Is Every Person Called To Adopt?
It’s a common question in our society. We all wonder if we are capable of such a hard task. Those of us who are seasoned usually find out we most definitely are not capable at all because so much more plays into it. Outside our group, it’s phrased as more of an exclamation. “Not everyone should adopt!” It seems they feel judged and maybe that I think of them as less than for not doing such a “noble” task.
How To Help Your Child Cope With Being Held Back A Grade In School.
We’ve made it to the end of another school year which means IEP reviews, final meetings with teachers and administrators, and directional decisions for the upcoming school year for foster/adoptive families. For some, it also means deciding whether or not to hold their child back a grade to give them more time, or help navigate their special needs. How do you help your child cope with this reality?
