RAD Talk with Tracey

What a great and candid conversation with this RAD mom, Barb from Canada. We skip the beginning of her story and go straight to the heart of it all. Barb is an adoptive mom to a daughter from Ethiopia who is her "RAD child". She and her husband also have a biological, younger son. We talk about all things RAD including general RAD "stuff", sibling issues, parenting issues, marriage, and more. Barb offers lots of good insight and advice for other RAD parents. Later in the episode, Tracey sparks discussion about about letting go, remembering your power, changing your mindset to find freedom, and how sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to get there. After all, "rock bottom is a good place to start".

Barb also has a message that she wasn't able to share during the episode. She told me that she often sees negative social media comments from people witnessing other moms "losing it" in public. These comments are almost always judgmental. Barb wants to share a more empathetic perspective; imagine what that mom has been through to be in a place where she has a breakdown in public. We don't know everyone's story. So instead of reacting and responding with judgment, look upon these moms with compassion. Barb's advice? Smile, make eye contact, and give that mom a nod of support.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

I Move for Change - Fundraiser

www.radadvocates.org

RAD Talk - Silver Bracelet Project

www.radtalkwithtracey.com/radswag

Tracey's Support Groups, Retreats & Coaching

www.radtalkwithtracey.com/support

On the pod today, Joe Dennis! Certified Mental Health Counselor and Clinical Director at Mindful Counseling. He's also trained in meditation and mindfulness.

You'll love Joe. Joe talks trauma and has an amazing ability to turn theory into analogies that make sense. He gives practical tools that you as a RAD parent can use right now while you're in crisis and suggestions for later. When it comes to trauma and therapy, Joe is innovative, creative, and cutting edge. Ever heard of the technique "Brain Spotting"?

Fun fact: I contacted Joe to chat about his expertise as a therapist. But did you know that he just happens to have an aunt who is a foster mom and specializes in RAD? Small world!

I highly recommend that you watch Joe's video clips on his social media pages (like instagram) where he offers a lot of great insight and information. And if you need therapy or have questions, please reach out to Joe.

Get in touch with Joe:

WEB:

Website: www.mindfulcounselingutah.com

Email: [email protected]

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Instagram: joedennis.counsels

FB:https://m.facebook.com/joedennis.counsels/

TikTok: joedennis.counsels

Remember RAD mom Heather and her son Legend? I interviewed these two way back in January.

Well, a lot has happened and they're back with an update!

Since I last spoke with Heather and Legend, Legend moved out of the house, moved across country, and is now back at home. They're here to tell you about it and how they're doing today.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Taos Tiny House Retreat - For Tired Parents

www.radtalkwithtracey.com/retreats

What RAD parent doesn't experience some sort of fear? What RAD parent doesn't worry? I bet you can't name one RAD parent who isn't currently living this or who hasn't lived it.

In this episode of RAD Talk With Tracey, I talk about fear from a perspective that you probably haven't heard before. I hadn't. And wow, does it ever fit with RAD parent life!

I also pass along 5 practical exercises to help you better understand your fears and start worrying less.

I'm always on the lookout for meaningful ways to help YOU, my fellow RAD parents, including me!

I'd love to hear your thoughts after you listen to this episode. What does fear look like for you? How deep in it are you? How will you implement these coping strategies to make them work for you? Post your responses on the RAD Talk With Tracey Facebook page, Instagram, or email me at [email protected].

And remember, just keep swimming.

If you need support:

www.radtalkwithtracey.com/support

www.radadvocates.org

This was one of the most fun and informative talks on the podcast! You do not want to miss this episode. Nancy Thomas is a pioneer and has already left a huge legacy in the world of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). Nancy has been working with parents and children with RAD for 47 years and has an 85% success rate in the U.S. Her passion is infectious and she provides so much hope, knowledge, and insight during our discussion. Nancy also knows first hand what it's like to be a parent raising children with RAD. If you're looking for support, encouragement, and deeper insight into RAD and parenting children with RAD, you'll find it all in this episode.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Families By Design (Nancy Thomas website)

www.attachment.org

Healing Hearts Camps

https://attachment.org/parents/camps/

Email Nancy:

[email protected]

Tracey's Podcast and Coaching:

www.radtalkwithtracey.com/podcast

Christine Dalton is no stranger to adoption. Her mom was adopted, she had an older adopted sibling growing up, she was a single foster parent in her early 20's, and then she adopted her own child when she was married. Months after she adopted, Christine found out she was pregnant! Her adopted son has RAD. Christine opens up about what it's like to raise a son who started demonstrating rage and violence when he was only 6 years old which continues today. She also talks about what it's like living through that violence and rage while raising her biological daughter. Christine and her husband have done "all the things" for their son and their story is not over. Their son was recently sent home from program during Covid, "kicked out" of a therapeutic boarding school, and they've had to scramble to find a new program for him because home is not an option. Hoping this placement lasts but knowing that nothing is certain when you're raising a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

Resources Mentioned In this Episode:

Tracey's Support and Coaching:

www.radtalkwithtracey.com/support

Tupelo Children's Mansion:

www.mansionkids.org

RAD Advocates & Navigating RAD Conference:

www.radadvocates.org

Meet Jennifer Linch, a "former" RAD mom who utilized the Second Chance Adoptions program. Jennifer shares her story about the adoption of her daughter, how it didn't turn out the way anyone expected, and what it was like to let go and place her daughter with a different family. 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Second Chance Adoptions:

https://wiaa.org/2nd-chance-adoption/

Navigating RAD Conference:

www.radadvocates.org

Tracey's Support Services:

www.radtalkwithtracey.com/support

Carole McKelvey is a Journalist turned Clinical Mental Health Counselor. She was friends with Jim Fay (Love & Logic) and helped Jim write the first book about Reactive Attachment Disorder in the U.S. in 1981. Carole was inspired by Jim's work and went back to school and became a counselor herself. She has specialized in working with families and children with Reactive Attachment disorder for over 30 years. Those seeking her services will find a caring, kind, and wise counselor. This may be as a result of foster care, adoption, or simply losses within the family. She has also worked extensively with trauma victims. Carole has written several books herself and continues to practice counseling in New Mexico.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Tracey's Support and Coaching Services:

www.radtalkwithtracey.com/support

Navigating RAD Conference

www.radadvocates.org

Carol McKelvey Counseling

Phone: (505) 503-9445

www.carolemckelvey.com

[email protected]