My wife, Cathy, and I stared at each other in disbelief as our oldest daughter, Christy, told us she was running away. When she started packing her suitcase, we knew she was serious. Cathy and I weren’t sure if we should laugh or cry — after all, Christy was only 6. Our daughter told us …
Family Relationships
The beautiful truth for adoptive parents is that God has placed children in their families for healing and redemption.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes “Mom, it took me forever to get to work, and I didn’t get to stop for dinner. You know how awful I feel when I don’t eat, and I don’t have any breaks to go out and get something. Can you pick up a burrito and drop it off?” This …
Telling the story should not be a one-time event but an ongoing process as the child grows.
Why children who have been adopted need to know their story — and how to tell it
The adoption journey is resplendent with unforeseen detours, mountaintop experiences, formidable challenges — and magnificent views of God’s grace all along the way. Without preparation, this journey can be more than challenging. With awareness and planning, the journey can be one that promotes growth, blessings and healing for all involved. Here are a few things …
Training up a child in the way he/she should go doesn’t mean ignoring their natural gifts. Take time to understand and perceive your child’s ways, so that you may guide them to be who they are meant to be.
When you’re grieving the loss of someone who isn’t at the table, traditional holiday family events can be especially hard. Perhaps this is the year to do something different.
Understanding the reasons for your child’s behavior and responses is important, but the truth is that some adoptive parents may never know the full extent of their child’s underlying problems for a number of reasons.
This may be the holiday season to do what brings you comfort. Choose to be around people you can count on to understand your sorrow, people who offer the support you need to get through the season.
When you discipline your adopted child, you need to consider her chronological age as well as her emotional age.
Appreciate the precious gift of parenthood granted to you by your child’s birth family by embracing them through the love of Jesus Christ.
The respect you show for each birth parent’s intrinsic value and humanity will boost your child’s own self-respect.
It’s essential for families to develop the ability to cope with the stress that adoption can place on parents and kids.
Sharing your loss and honoring your loved one through holiday communication might be the perfect way to bring some joy back into the season.
Family secrets can destroy the love and trust the family has fought so hard to build.
Children need Mom to be available for them.
No one is guaranteed tomorrow; invest in your children’s lives today.
We need to take care of ourselves so that we can take care of our family.
How to help your child deal with loss