Adoption Wise

Do you feel isolated or alone in your parenting journey? Do you have trouble connecting with other parents because they don't seem to understand your life? We're celebrating our 200th episode with some friends from The Village, our monthly membership community. They share why they joined and why they stay. They share diversity in how they came to adoption (including kinship) and in their experiences (a dad, a single mom, etc.), but they all agree that there's power in community. They also share some sweet words of encouragement as we close, so make sure to listen to the end!

Click here to download a transcript for this episode.

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Join The Village (use code 'podcast')

The Safe and Sound Protocol podcast episode with Robyn Gobbel and Melissa Corkum

The Regulation Rescue

Dealing with frequent and intense meltdowns in preschool and school-aged children can be exhausting! Sometimes they are due to sensory processing challenges. The human brain processes 11 million bits of information every second, which comes in through our eight (not five) senses. Neurodivergence and trauma can bias the brain toward quick, defensive reactions to all that sensory input. This often leads to frustrating behaviors and learning disruptions. This workshop will provide some eye-opening sensory basics in a child-friendly format along with practical takeaways that can be integrated into your busy day.

Click here to download a transcript for this episode.

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Free Resources + Shop

Brave Brains Website

#107: Helping Children Understand Their Big Feelings with author, Jessica Sinarski

#140: Helpful Strategies for Tough School Mornings with Jessica Sinarski

Join The Village (used code: podcast)

When your adoption journey is different than what you expected, there are a lot of ambiguous losses to grieve. Every parent will process and experience grief individually and on their own timeline. This week, Lisa shares five ways to hold onto your marriage, even if grief seems to be tearing you apart.

When your adoption journey is different than what you expected, there are a lot of ambiguous losses to grieve. Every parent will process and experience grief individually and on their own timeline. This week, Lisa shares five ways to hold onto your marriage, even if grief seems to be tearing you apart.

Click here to download a transcript for this episode.

Relevant Links

#119: Prioritizing Your Marriage as Adoptive Parents with Currey and JJ Blandford

#195: [workshop] Maintaining a Strong Marriage When Parenting Is Hard

Join The Village (use the code: podcast)

Every adoptee experiences their story through a unique lens. This week we welcome adoptee, Jennifer Dyan Ghoston, who hosts the podcast series Once Upon a Time in Adopteeland. Jennifer and Melissa recorded a conversation to be aired on both of their podcasts where they both explore their stories using the wisdom of the Enneagram. Jennifer is a firm believer that storytelling is healing for both the listener and the storyteller. Jennifer has also shared her story in her memoir The Truth So Far…a detective’s journey to reunite with her birth family*, and in Jean Strauss’s film documentary A Simple Piece of Paper (2013

Click here to download a transcript for this episode.

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Jennifer's Website

Listen to Jennifer's podcast

The Truth So Far…a detective’s journey to reunite with her birth family* by Jennifer Dyan Ghoston

#186: [Summer Swap] How the Enneagram Can Help Us Become Better Parents

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This week we answer listener questions such as:

How can I be compassionate towards my child's behaviors without letting them fall into victimhood?

Is my bar too low?

Will my transracially adopted child feel more isolated if he's the only person of color in our family?

What are the pros and cons of Job Corps for older teens?

This week we answer listener questions such as:

*  How can I be compassionate towards my child's behaviors without letting them fall into victimhood?

*  Is my bar too low?

*  Will my transracially adopted child feel more isolated if he's the only person of color in our family?

*  What are the pros and cons of Job Corps for older teens?

Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

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#27: Tips for Getting Chores Done

#161: [workshop] A New Twist on Chores with Greg Rea

Job Corps

Patrick and Melissa have two kids by birth, four through adoption, and a live-in granddaughter. They’ve weathered adopting out of birth order, child on parent violence, out-of-home placement, PTSD, and becoming grandparents in their thirties. In this episode, they’ll talk candidly about the secret to maintaining a strong marriage when parenting (and life) is hard.

Click here to download a transcript for this episode.

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#144: How do I find a skilled babysitter for my challenging kids?

Join The Village (use the code: podcast)

No parent enjoys a tantrum. Kids don’t either. It never feels good to have such big feelings that they come out in crying, yelling, kicking, stomping, throwing, or whatever else makes up a meltdown for your child. Over the years, we’ve gathered a bag of tricks. It’s important to have many options up your sleeve because there’s a good chance something will only work once in a while and never twice in a row.

Click here to download a transcript for this episode.

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#26: What To Do When Your Child is Out of Control with Robyn Gobbel

Never Split the Difference* by Chris Voss

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Saying "yes" to fostering kids often stretches us in ways we never imagined. Jillana Goble is an author, advocate, non-profit founder, and—with her husband, Luke—parent of five children ranging in to age from pre-teen to adult. With honesty, faith and a dose of humor, her debut memoir, A Love-Stretched Life, chronicles what she’s continually learning on the suspension bridge. This week, Jillana joins Lisa to talk about grief, unexpected twists, and blessings during her journey.

Click here to download a transcript for this episode.

Relevant Links

Jillana's Website

Connect with Jillana on Instagram

Connect with Jillana on Facebook

A Love-Stretched Life* by Jillana Goble

Trying Differently Rather Than Harder* by Diane Malbin