Adoption Wise

Race and adoption. Two issues with many layers of complexity. This week we're replaying a conversation we hosted in our Facebook group with Derek Hamer (transracial adoptee), Ligia Cushman (transracial adoptive parent and adoption professional), and Melissa Corkum (transracial adoptee and transracial adoptive parent). We tackled questions like, "How do we educate our kids without inducing fear," and, "What is the future for transracial adoption?"

Click here to download a copy of the transcript for this episode.

Relevant Links:

Ligia's Blog

Connect with Ligia on Instagram

Melissa's Website

Connect with Melissa on Instagram

Connect with Derek on Instagram

A Conversation about Race with Sue Badeau (includes book recommendations)

Race and adoption. Two issues with many layers of complexity. This week we're replaying a conversation we hosted in our Facebook group with Derek Hamer (transracial adoptee), Ligia Cushman (transracial adoptive parent and adoption professional), and Melissa Corkum (transracial adoptee and transracial adoptive parent). We tackled questions like, "How do we educate our kids without inducing fear," and, "What is the future for transracial adoption?"

Relevant Links:

Ligia's Blog

Connect with Ligia on Instagram

Melissa's Website

Connect with Melissa on Instagram

Connect with Derek on Instagram

A Conversation about Race with Sue Badeau (includes book recommendations)

A lot of adoptees share big feelings of loss, fear, and abandonment. They seem to have a birthmom shaped hole in their hearts. In this episode, Sara Easterly, adoptee and author, shares her experience of growing up feeling like she was missing something and her search for her birthmom. She also shares practical tips for how to help our kids process big feelings.

 

Click here to download a transcript for this episode.

Relevant Links:

Sara's website

Connect with Sara on Instagram

Searching for Mom by Sara Easterly*

*This is an affiliate link

A lot of adoptees share big feelings of loss, fear, and abandonment. They seem to have a birthmom shaped hole in their hearts. In this episode, Sara Easterly, adoptee and author, shares her experience of growing up feeling like she was missing something and her search for her birthmom. She also shares practical tips for how to help our kids process big feelings.

Relevant Links:

Sara's website

Connect with Sara on Instagram

Searching for Mom by Sara Easterly*

*This is an affiliate link

 

Obviously, our kids are safe with us most of the time. We put a roof over their head, keep them away from strangers, and make sure they look both ways before crossing the street. But the feeling of safety can be much more elusive.

Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a multi-day auditory intervention designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and emotional resilience. Based on Dr. Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, by calming the physiological and emotional state, the door is opened for improved communication and increased felt safety. The SSP is a research-based therapy showing significant results in just a couple months in the following areas:

Social and emotional difficulties

Auditory sensitivities

Speech and language

Anxiety and trauma-related challenges

Stressors that impact social engagement

Click here to download a transcript for this episode.

Relevant Links:

Learn more about SSP

Obviously, our kids are safe with us most of the time. We put a roof over their head, keep them away from strangers, and make sure they look both ways before crossing the street. But the feeling of safety can be much more elusive.

Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a multi-day auditory intervention designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and emotional resilience. Based on Dr. Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, by calming the physiological and emotional state, the door is opened for improved communication and increased felt safety. The SSP is a research-based therapy showing significant results in just a couple months in the following areas:

* Social and emotional difficulties

* Auditory sensitivities

* Speech and language

* Anxiety and trauma-related challenges

* Stressors that impact social engagement

Relevant Links:

Learn more about SSP

You've heard of postpartum depression, but did you that adoptive moms can experience something quite similar?According to a 2012 study at Purdue University, Post-Adoption Depression affects 18-26 percent of adoptive moms? So why don't we hear much about it? And why is it cloaked in shame?Today's guest, Amy Callahan, shares her story of post-adoption depression following the adoptions of her children. Through her experience, she found multiple tools to help herself come through the darkness and back into the light of enjoying her family and her life. She generously shares her journey and her top tips in this episode.

Click here for a transcript of this episode.

Relevant Links:

Connect with Amy on Instagram

Depression: A Guide to Helping*

Transform Your Family

*This is an affiliate link

You've heard of postpartum depression, but did you that adoptive moms can experience something quite similar?According to a 2012 study at Purdue University, Post-Adoption Depression affects 18-26 percent of adoptive moms? So why don't we hear much about it? And why is it cloaked in shame?Today's guest, Amy Callahan, shares her story of post-adoption depression following the adoptions of her children. Through her experience, she found multiple tools to help herself come through the darkness and back into the light of enjoying her family and her life. She generously shares her journey and her top tips in this episode.

Relevant Links:

Connect with Amy on Instagram

Depression: A Guide to Helping*

Transform Your Family

*This is an affiliate link

Mentor Moments give you a chance to join the conversation as we answer a listener question. These episodes guarantee we're providing the most helpful tools and resources for exactly where you are.

This week's question is:

how do we determine the appropriate level of interaction with birth family?

Share your experience and advice in our private Facebook group or ask your own question for a future episode. Click here to join.

Mentor Moments give you a chance to join the conversation as we answer a listener question. These episodes guarantee we're providing the most helpful tools and resources for exactly where you are.

This week's question is:

how do we determine the appropriate level of interaction with birth family?

Share your experience and advice in our private Facebook group or ask your own question for a future episode. Click here to join.