Defiance often tops the list of struggles foster and adoptive parents face. In this month’s blog, Jenn Hook, MA offers strategies to not only ride the wave of defiance, but even better, to try avoiding taking that dive all together!
How might trauma, hope and the Holy Family intersect? How do trauma and hope shape your family? In this season of Advent, anticipating Christmas, the invitation is to reflect upon the Holy Family and Christ’s birth to deepen our faith journey. Have you imagined Jesus’ suffering and the unknowns Mary and Joseph faced? Delight in this article by Dr. Sarah A. Hill that is raw and real, but ends with light and redemption.
Holiday preparation is in full swing! This month’s blog by Donna Erickson, MA, helps foster/adoptive parents ensure their children are supported this holiday season – especially those who are very aware of the past, different traditions and the absence of their birth family.
The allure of a newborn is nearly universal; their tiny toes, their sweet smell. It is incredibly difficult to logically weigh the decision to accept a newborn foster placement. But you must do so, and not just for the benefit of the newborn but that of your entire family. A number of newborns who are immediately placed into foster care are considered medically fragile. They are tiny bundles of joy who come with numerous medical needs. Read this month’s blog by Sandi Orlando, foster parent and former NICU nurse of 20+ years, to learn more about common medical conditions facing newly born foster babies, and evaluate if you and your family are ready to love a new baby.
Saying no is not easy! Especially, when you are torn between your heart and your head when considering a placement of an infant. Read the first of this two-part blog series by Sandi Orlando on medically fragile infants. Are you in a place to say yes? Read on to be sure you are ready to provide a loving home to a high-needs infant.
Children’s behaviors are often manifestations of their beliefs, values and past experiences. Caregivers are called to the challenging job of helping children overcome these. To do this, caregivers must not solely focus on negative behaviors, but rather the reasoning underneath these behaviors. Read more in this month’s blog by Donna Erickson.