Adoption Wise

Have you ever felt like you're standing in two worlds simultaneously? We're not referring to science fiction, we're talking about holding two of the three roles in the adoption triad.

In this week's episode, Melissa interviews Lisa about being a birth/first mom and an adoptive mom. Lisa talks about her experience of losing her first son to adoption, grief and loss, bitterness, healing and restoration, and how she became the most unlikely adoptive mom.

There's lots of vulnerability in this interview, and quite a few tears (we had to stop recording at least once). It's tender and personal, please listen with care.

Links Relevant to this episode:

#6: Helping Kids Process Scary Events with Robyn Gobbel

#9:  Are Newborn Adoptions Easier? (with Rebecca Vahle) where she talks about the wedding and funeral in the same room

LISA: ON FOLLOWING GOD INTO THE HARD + UNEXPECTED ADOPTION + RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTERS (Lisa's interview on Jamie Finn's podcast, The Real Mom Podcast)

Do you ever wonder if you're doing the right thing as a parent? Do you wonder if you're focusing on the right things?

Today's guest is our friend, Mike Berry, who talks about what matters most, the hearts of our children. Their behavior, appearance, successes, and failures are not the core of who they are. We want to reach their hearts and develop relationships that will last a lifetime.

Mike shares great wisdom from his, soon to be released book, Winning the Heart of Your Child: 9 Keys to Building a Positive Lifelong Relationship with Your Kids.

Links Relevant to this episode:

Pre-Order Mike's new book

Confessions of an Adoptive Parent Blog

Confessions of an Adoptive Parent on Facebook

Confessions of an Adoptive Parent on Instagram

Mentor Moments:

This week Lisa and Melissa answer the question:

"Can you talk about how to determine an appropriate level of interaction with birth family when adoptive kids have permission/ability to have contact but parents are either in prison, actively addicted or just unreliable?"

 

The Weary Parent's Guide to Escaping Exhaustion

Discover 9 simple steps to help you regain strength and better care for you.

Learn the importance of setting aside personal time, and how to do this while still providing care for your children.

Create a plan for finding fulfillment each day of your parenting journey.

Discover the power of key attitude shifts and how they can make all the difference in better caring for you.

Send Me The Download

*If you're already on our email list, you automatically receive each week's download in our Quick Connection email.

Do you ever wonder if you're doing the right thing as a parent? Do you wonder if you're focusing on the right things?

Today's guest is our friend, Mike Berry, who talks about what matters most, the hearts of our children. Their behavior, appearance, successes, and failures are not the core of who they are. We want to reach their hearts and develop relationships that will last a lifetime.

Mike shares great wisdom from his, soon to be released book, Winning the Heart of Your Child: 9 Keys to Building a Positive Lifelong Relationship with Your Kids.

Links Relevant to this episode:

Pre-Order Mike's new book

Confessions of an Adoptive Parent Blog

Confessions of an Adoptive Parent on Facebook

Confessions of an Adoptive Parent on Instagram

Mentor Moments:

This week Lisa and Melissa answer the question:

"Can you talk about how to determine an appropriate level of interaction with birth family when adoptive kids have permission/ability to have contact but parents are either in prison, actively addicted or just unreliable?"

 

The Weary Parent's Guide to Escaping Exhaustion

* Discover 9 simple steps to help you regain strength and better care for you.

* Learn the importance of setting aside personal time, and how to do this while still providing care for your children.

* Create a plan for finding fulfillment each day of your parenting journey.

* Discover the power of key attitude shifts and how they can make all the difference in better caring for you.

Send Me The Download

*If you're already on our email list, you automatically receive each week's download in our Quick Connection email.

Do you ever wonder if you're doing the right thing as a parent? Do you wonder if you're focusing on the right things?

Today's guest is our friend, Mike Berry, who talks about what matters most, the hearts of our children. Their behavior, appearance, successes, and failures are not the core of who they are. We want to reach their hearts and develop relationships that will last a lifetime.

Mike shares great wisdom from his, soon to be released book, Winning the Heart of Your Child: 9 Keys to Building a Positive Lifelong Relationship with Your Kids.

Links Relevant to this episode:

Pre-Order Mike's new book

Confessions of an Adoptive Parent Blog

Confessions of an Adoptive Parent on Facebook

Confessions of an Adoptive Parent on Instagram

Mentor Moments:

This week Lisa and Melissa answer the question:

"Can you talk about how to determine an appropriate level of interaction with birth family when adoptive kids have permission/ability to have contact but parents are either in prison, actively addicted or just unreliable?"

 

The Weary Parent's Guide to Escaping Exhaustion

* Discover 9 simple steps to help you regain strength and better care for you.

* Learn the importance of setting aside personal time, and how to do this while still providing care for your children.

* Create a plan for finding fulfillment each day of your parenting journey.

* Discover the power of key attitude shifts and how they can make all the difference in better caring for you.

*If you're already on our email list, you automatically receive each week's download in our Quick Connection email.

Do you ever wonder if you're doing the right thing as a parent? Do you wonder if you're focusing on the right things?

Today's guest is our friend, Mike Berry, who talks about what matters most, the hearts of our children. Their behavior, appearance, successes, and failures are not the core of who they are. We want to reach their hearts and develop relationships that will last a lifetime.

Mike shares great wisdom from his, soon to be released book, Winning the Heart of Your Child: 9 Keys to Building a Positive Lifelong Relationship with Your Kids.

Links Relevant to this episode:

Pre-Order Mike's new book

Confessions of an Adoptive Parent Blog

Confessions of an Adoptive Parent on Facebook

Confessions of an Adoptive Parent on Instagram

Mentor Moments:

This week Lisa and Melissa answer the question:

"Can you talk about how to determine an appropriate level of interaction with birth family when adoptive kids have permission/ability to have contact but parents are either in prison, actively addicted or just unreliable?"

 

The Weary Parent's Guide to Escaping Exhaustion

* Discover 9 simple steps to help you regain strength and better care for you.

* Learn the importance of setting aside personal time, and how to do this while still providing care for your children.

* Create a plan for finding fulfillment each day of your parenting journey.

* Discover the power of key attitude shifts and how they can make all the difference in better caring for you.

Send Me The Download

*If you're already on our email list, you automatically receive each week's download in our Quick Connection email.

What are your hopes and dreams for 2019? Are you making resolutions or setting goals?

Today we talk about how we plan for a new year, what's important to us, how we set goals and one of the most important things to keep in mind.

We offer specific tips and tools to help you move toward the things that matter most in your life.

Links Relevant to this episode:

My Life is Written in Pencil

Hold Me Tight by Dr. Sue Johnson (Emotionally Focused Therapy)

What are your hopes and dreams for 2019? Are you making resolutions or setting goals?

Today we talk about how we plan for a new year, what's important to us, how we set goals and one of the most important things to keep in mind.

We offer specific tips and tools to help you move toward the things that matter most in your life.

Links Relevant to this episode:

My Life is Written in Pencil

Hold Me Tight by Dr. Sue Johnson (Emotionally Focused Therapy)

*If you're already on our email list, you automatically receive each week's download in our Quick Connection email.

What are your hopes and dreams for 2019? Are you making resolutions or setting goals?

Today we talk about how we plan for a new year, what's important to us, how we set goals and one of the most important things to keep in mind.

We offer specific tips and tools to help you move toward the things that matter most in your life.

Links Relevant to this episode:

My Life is Written in Pencil

Hold Me Tight by Dr. Sue Johnson (Emotionally Focused Therapy)

Planner Download

Use these printables to think intentionally about your goals for 2019 and make each day count, despite the crazy.

*If you're already on our email list, you automatically receive each week's download in our Quick Connection email.

What are your hopes and dreams for 2019? Are you making resolutions or setting goals?

Today we talk about how we plan for a new year, what's important to us, how we set goals and one of the most important things to keep in mind.

We offer specific tips and tools to help you move toward the things that matter most in your life.

Links Relevant to this episode:

My Life is Written in Pencil

Hold Me Tight by Dr. Sue Johnson (Emotionally Focused Therapy)

*If you're already on our email list, you automatically receive each week's download in our Quick Connection email.

"I couldn't do foster care because I'd never be able to give them back."

How many times have you heard this, said this, felt this? There's no doubt, it's so hard to love and care for a child and then return him to his family. And yet...

Lisa sat down with Jamie Finn to talk about the bitter and the sweet of loving children and then letting them go. Jamie shares her journey from viewing herself as the rescuer of children to being a loving support to them and their birth families.

This was a beautiful conversation - we hope you enjoy it.

Relevant Links

Jamie writes at Foster the Family Blog

Connect with Jamie on Instagram or Facebook

Learn more about the Foster the Family non-profit

Listen to Jamie interview Lisa

Listen to Jamie interview Melissa

Mentor Moments:

This week Lisa and Melissa answer the question:

"My extended family expects us to join in the family holiday gathering. My kids are doing pretty well, but I want to set them up for success and minimize the chances of a huge meltdown. Can you give me some ideas?"