Adoption Wise

Do you want your kids living their best lives at home and at school? Our guest, Stacy Manning, believes in that goal.

Stacy adopted from Russia back before we were talking about trauma-informed parenting. She researched and found information on her own, which led her to develop resources and support groups for other parents.

Her newest area of interest is supporting educators and providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to be trauma-sensitive teachers. We loved hearing about that, and we know you will too.

Links Relevant to this episode:

Adoptive & Foster Parenting Facebook Page

Trauma-Sensitive Teachers Facebook Page

Stacy on Instagram

Stacy's Website

Adoptive Parent Intentional Parent: A Formula for Building & Maintaining Your Child's Safety Net* by Stacy Manning

*This is an affiliate link.

Mentor Moments:

This week Lisa and Melissa talk about why kids lie about silly things and what to do about it.

Click here to watch the video Melissa refers to about lying.

 

Maybe you're struggling to see anything positive in your child's behaviors. Or maybe your teens' self-esteem and confidence are so low, they are convinced they are a failure. Sometimes as moms, we feel like failures or that we aren't cut out for this enormous job of raising kids with such troubled pasts.

This week, Wendy Willard brings us fresh insight and practical tools for helping us discover our kids' strengths which can give us hope for the future.

Remember, if it seems your child is struggling to live out his strengths, he may be feeling SLATHY.

S - Shame

L - Lonely

A - Afraid

T - Tired

H - Hungry/Thirsty

Y - Yucky

Links Relevant to this episode:

Gallup's CliftonStrengths Assessment (aka. StrengthsFinder)

(Alternatively, you can purchase this book* which comes with a free code.)

University of Pennsylvania’s Strength Survey for Children

Playfield Institute’s Character Strengths Assessment

Adopted for Daily Life: A Devotional For Adopting Moms *

Wendy's Blog

Wendy on Facebook

*This is an affiliate link. 

Mentor Moments:

If you have a question you'd like us to answer, send us a message by clicking here.

Maybe you're struggling to see anything positive in your child's behaviors. Or maybe your teens' self-esteem and confidence are so low, they are convinced they are a failure. Sometimes as moms, we feel like failures or that we aren't cut out for this enormous job of raising kids with such troubled pasts.

This week, Wendy Willard brings us fresh insight and practical tools for helping us discover our kids' strengths which can give us hope for the future.

Remember, if it seems your child is struggling to live out his strengths, he may be feeling SLATHY.

S - Shame

L - Lonely

A - Afraid

T - Tired

H - Hungry/Thirsty

Y - Yucky

Links Relevant to this episode:

Gallup's CliftonStrengths Assessment (aka. StrengthsFinder)

(Alternatively, you can purchase this book* which comes with a free code.)

University of Pennsylvania’s Strength Survey for Children

Playfield Institute’s Character Strengths Assessment

Adopted for Daily Life: A Devotional For Adopting Moms *

Wendy's Blog

Wendy on Facebook

*This is an affiliate link. 

Mentor Moments:

If you have a question you'd like us to answer, send us a message by clicking here.

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

Maybe you're struggling to see anything positive in your child's behaviors. Or maybe your teens' self-esteem and confidence are so low, they are convinced they are a failure. Sometimes as moms, we feel like failures or that we aren't cut out for this enormous job of raising kids with such troubled pasts.

This week, Wendy Willard brings us fresh insight and practical tools for helping us discover our kids' strengths which can give us hope for the future.

Remember, if it seems your child is struggling to live out his strengths, he may be feeling SLATHY.

S - Shame

L - Lonely

A - Afraid

T - Tired

H - Hungry/Thirsty

Y - Yucky

Links Relevant to this episode:

Gallup's CliftonStrengths Assessment (aka. StrengthsFinder)

(Alternatively, you can purchase this book* which comes with a free code.)

University of Pennsylvania’s Strength Survey for Children

Playfield Institute’s Character Strengths Assessment

Adopted for Daily Life: A Devotional For Adopting Moms *

Wendy's Blog

Wendy on Facebook

*This is an affiliate link. 

Mentor Moments:

If you have a question you'd like us to answer, send us a message by clicking here.

 

Strengths, not Failures

Download this bundle from Wendy Willard that includes a cheatsheet on how to recognize our kids' strengths and a devotional that speaks encouragement to your heart when faced with feelings of failure.

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

Maybe you're struggling to see anything positive in your child's behaviors. Or maybe your teens' self-esteem and confidence are so low, they are convinced they are a failure. Sometimes as moms, we feel like failures or that we aren't cut out for this enormous job of raising kids with such troubled pasts.

This week, Wendy Willard brings us fresh insight and practical tools for helping us discover our kids' strengths which can give us hope for the future.

Remember, if it seems your child is struggling to live out his strengths, he may be feeling SLATHY.

S - Shame

L - Lonely

A - Afraid

T - Tired

H - Hungry/Thirsty

Y - Yucky

Links Relevant to this episode:

Gallup's CliftonStrengths Assessment (aka. StrengthsFinder)

(Alternatively, you can purchase this book* which comes with a free code.)

University of Pennsylvania’s Strength Survey for Children

Playfield Institute’s Character Strengths Assessment

Adopted for Daily Life: A Devotional For Adopting Moms *

Wendy's Blog

Wendy on Facebook

*This is an affiliate link. 

Mentor Moments:

If you have a question you'd like us to answer, send us a message by clicking here.

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

Melissa and Lisa share some of their favorite gift ideas for the people you love, and a few suggestions for you too in this episode. Maybe you'll find some new ideas here!

We'd love to hear your suggestions. Join the conversation on our private Facebook group.

Babies and Toddlers

Growth chart

Cardboard bricks

Toy kitchen

Preschoolers

PlasmaCar

Strider bike

Homemade Playdoh

Click here for a tried and true recipe.

Add citrus oils for an energizing experience or floral oils for a calming ritual.

Duplos

Gorilla gym

Rice bin with toys - link to a blog post

Early Elementary

Kinetic Sand

Adventures in Odyssey and Radio Theater

Ant Farm

Bird Feeder

Magnatiles

Later Elementary

Experiences - rock climbing, trampoline park

Subscriptions: magazines,

Middle School

Lego Robotics

Suspend game

Gifts to match their interests and hobbies

Athletic gear - gym bag, hoodie, socks

Headlamp

Craft supplies

Prismacolor pencils and sketchbook

Headphones

Teens

Letter boards and magnetic poetry

Gift cards

Escape Room (check Groupon for a great deal)

Room decor: twinkle lights, banners, posters, bulletin board

Car tools and accessories - toolkit, car essential oil diffuser, organizers

Tickets to a concert, sporting event, etc.

Bluetooth earbuds

Moms

Tote bag/Carry on

Personalized mom jewelry

Travel pillow

Handlettering Kit

Yeti or Klean Kanteen travel mug

House cleaning - monthly or one-time deep clean

Spa gift card

(or have a masseuse come on-demand to your house using Zeel)

One-Line-a-Day Journal

Dutch Oven

Other Links

Top Ten Gifts for Kids That Aren't Toys 

Favorite Games for Everyone

DoTerra

Noonday

Uncommon Goods

The Grommet

Cate Florey Studio

The Refresh Conference

The Adoption Connection Facebook Group

We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Melissa and Lisa share some of their favorite gift ideas for the people you love, and a few suggestions for you too in this episode. Maybe you'll find some new ideas here!

We'd love to hear your suggestions. Join the conversation on our private Facebook group.

Babies and Toddlers

Growth chart

Cardboard bricks

Toy kitchen

Preschoolers

PlasmaCar

Strider bike

Homemade Playdoh

Click here for a tried and true recipe.

Add citrus oils for an energizing experience or floral oils for a calming ritual.

Duplos

Gorilla gym

Rice bin with toys - link to a blog post

Early Elementary

Kinetic Sand

Adventures in Odyssey and Radio Theater

Ant Farm

Bird Feeder

Magnatiles

Later Elementary

Experiences - rock climbing, trampoline park

Subscriptions: magazines,

Middle School

Lego Robotics

Suspend game

Gifts to match their interests and hobbies

Athletic gear - gym bag, hoodie, socks

Headlamp

Craft supplies

Prismacolor pencils and sketchbook

Headphones

Teens

Letter boards and magnetic poetry

Gift cards

Escape Room (check Groupon for a great deal)

Room decor: twinkle lights, banners, posters, bulletin board

Car tools and accessories - toolkit, car essential oil diffuser, organizers

Tickets to a concert, sporting event, etc.

Bluetooth earbuds

Moms

Tote bag/Carry on

Personalized mom jewelry

Travel pillow

Handlettering Kit

Yeti or Klean Kanteen travel mug

House cleaning - monthly or one-time deep clean

Melissa and Lisa share some of their favorite gift ideas for the people you love, and a few suggestions for you too in this episode. Maybe you'll find some new ideas here!

We'd love to hear your suggestions. Join the conversation on our private Facebook group.

Babies and Toddlers

Growth chart

Cardboard bricks

Toy kitchen

Preschoolers

PlasmaCar

Strider bike

Homemade Playdoh

Click here for a tried and true recipe.

Add citrus oils for an energizing experience or floral oils for a calming ritual.

Duplos

Gorilla gym

Rice bin with toys - link to a blog post

Early Elementary

Kinetic Sand

Adventures in Odyssey and Radio Theater

Ant Farm

Bird Feeder

Magnatiles

Later Elementary

Experiences - rock climbing, trampoline park

Subscriptions: magazines,

Middle School

Lego Robotics

Suspend game

Gifts to match their interests and hobbies

Athletic gear - gym bag, hoodie, socks

Headlamp

Craft supplies

Prismacolor pencils and sketchbook

Headphones

Teens

Letter boards and magnetic poetry

Gift cards

Escape Room (check Groupon for a great deal)

Room decor: twinkle lights, banners, posters, bulletin board

Car tools and accessories - toolkit, car essential oil diffuser, organizers

Tickets to a concert, sporting event, etc.

Bluetooth earbuds

Moms

Tote bag/Carry on

Personalized mom jewelry

Travel pillow

Handlettering Kit

Yeti or Klean Kanteen travel mug

House cleaning - monthly or one-time deep clean

Melissa and Lisa share some of their favorite gift ideas for the people you love, and a few suggestions for you too in this episode. Maybe you'll find some new ideas here!

We'd love to hear your suggestions. Join the conversation on our private Facebook group.

Babies and Toddlers

Growth chart

Cardboard bricks

Toy kitchen

Preschoolers

PlasmaCar

Strider bike

Homemade Playdoh

Click here for a tried and true recipe.

Add citrus oils for an energizing experience or floral oils for a calming ritual.

Duplos

Gorilla gym

Rice bin with toys - link to a blog post

Early Elementary

Kinetic Sand

Adventures in Odyssey and Radio Theater

Ant Farm

Bird Feeder

Magnatiles

Later Elementary

Experiences - rock climbing, trampoline park

Subscriptions: magazines,

Middle School

Lego Robotics

Suspend game

Gifts to match their interests and hobbies

Athletic gear - gym bag, hoodie, socks

Headlamp

Craft supplies

Prismacolor pencils and sketchbook

Headphones

Teens

Letter boards and magnetic poetry

Gift cards

Escape Room (check Groupon for a great deal)

Room decor: twinkle lights, banners, posters, bulletin board

Car tools and accessories - toolkit, car essential oil diffuser, organizers

Tickets to a concert, sporting event, etc.

Bluetooth earbuds

Moms

Tote bag/Carry on

Personalized mom jewelry

Travel pillow

Handlettering Kit

Yeti or Klean Kanteen travel mug

House cleaning - monthly or one-time deep clean

You already know connected parenting is great, but does it ever feel too many burdens and expectations are set on your already heavy shoulders? We've both been there and know just how hard it is.

Today we talk about simple ways to build connection with your children in the midst of everyday life. It's all about looking for little opportunities as we go through our days and not about making life more complicated.

We have very different families, lives, and interests, so you'll hear a wide range of thoughts as we talk.

Relevant Resources and Links:

How To Get Your Kids To Do Chores (Without Resenting It)

Schedule a Coaching Call