One of the great privileges we've had the last few years has been traveling to churches across the country to train them in trauma, its impacts, and how it molds behavior. That is why we are so excited about our upcoming webcast. This March, we're going to make this 3-hour training available online. Click on [...]
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Think Different
Appleâs âThink Differentâ campaign was launched 6 weeks after Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1997. He left the company in 1985 and in the intervening decade or so, Appleâs financial fortunes declined a great deal until the board decided to bring him back. Apple became the first American company valued in excess of 1 Trillion [...]
Routines are Important
It's December and there are many reasons to be excited; Christmas, family, fun, and feasting. But for kids who have experienced prenatal harm, abuse, neglect, and trauma, this time of year can be very stressful. And the increase in stress can lead to big emotions and behaviors. As parents, we have to ensure that our [...]
Navigating the Holidays Webinar
Navigating the Holidays Webinar As we enter the holiday season, we can begin to feel overwhelmed as emotions run high and behaviors deteriorate (both ours and our kids). Join us as we look at what makes the holidays so challenging for us and our kids and some practical things we can do to make this [...]
Who is Watching You?
If youâre from the same generation as I am (Iâm 42), then you probably heard this phrase many times growing up. âDo as I say and not as I do.â While I imagine it feels good to say it, itâs not really great parenting. Hereâs why. Our kids learn way more by watching what we [...]
See the Need, Not the Behavior
We have to start asking different questions about our kids' behaviors if we want to be connected parents. Instead of asking "What are you doing?" ask "What do you need?" Â Addressing the need behind the behavior will help us to see our kids differently. When we see our kids differently, when we see their [...]
Dad Camp Retreat for Dads
Attention adoptive, foster, and waiting dads of Texas! Ryan will be joining Bruce Kendrick and Andrew Holland to lead Dad Camp at SkyRanch in Van, September 28-30. Men from across the state will meet for a weekend of teaching, bonding, highland games, optional napping, campfires, and meats on sticks. Your all-inclusive ticket includes all meals, lodging, activities, swag and training hours. [...]
The Healing Power of Story
Chris, Ryan, and Kayla talk about how being an empathetic listener to our children's stories can help with their healing, and why it's important for us to tell our own stories to others to help in our own healing. For when we learn to how to help heal ourselves, we can help our children in [...]
How Do We Deal With Drama?
Some of our kids have big emotions. Chris talks with Ryan and Kayla about how we deal with drama when the emotions go from big to bigger to biggest. [podbean resource="episode=mjufj-97d457" type="audio-square" height="400" skin="8" fonts="Helvetica" auto="0" download="1" rtl="0"] Resources Mentioned in the Episode Harry Chapin - The Cat's in the Cradle One Big Happy Home [...]
Keep Your Balance
I can still remember all of the babies we cared for over the years. While they were all unique, they all had one thing in common; being swaddled tight helped them sleep well. They loved the security that being wrapped tightly in the blanket provided. But it wasnât only the swaddling that helped them sleep, [...]