Time-Outs vs. Time-Ins
Ouch! We do not throw toys. You’re getting a time-out. I’ll set the timer for 5 minutes, and then we can talk about your choices. Your time-out isn’t done. Please go back to the rug. I hear you [...]
Talking Honestly About Hard Truths
“Jalen’s mom told him I don’t have a real mom because of this.” My then first-grader perfectly mimicked smoking, thumb and forefinger pressed to his lips. “What does that mean?” My son was [...]
Reading With Kids
Foster care and adoption can be complex topics to discuss with children. Books can serve as a helpful tool in starting these conversations. A daily habit of reading together will allow you to [...]
Black History Month & Foster Care
Racial disparities in child welfare and a disproportionate over-representation of Black children in foster care, unfortunately, have deep roots in Black history. Decades of data tell us that [...]
Supporting Your Child While Waiting for Mental Health Services: A Caregiver’s Guide
As a parent or caregiver, it’s heartbreaking and frustrating to wait for mental and behavioral health services a child desperately needs. The lack of providers or access to mental health services [...]
Understanding Post-Visit Dysregulation
“If a securely attached child were removed from a securely attached parent and went through the same visitation process as a child in foster care–that child would experience the same post-visit [...]
Understanding Trauma: From Fight-or-Flight to Healing Through Connection
Heart racing. Rapid breathing. Stomach gurgling. Pupils dilated. Trauma is a deeply distressing experience that triggers our body’s stress response: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. When we [...]
Beyond Trauma: The Power of Positive Childhood Experiences
If you’ve learned about trauma, you may be familiar with the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). These negative experiences increase the risk of developing chronic health problems and [...]
Managing Expectations While Preparing to Adopt
When starting the adoption process, it can be easy to get caught up in the logistics and planning: paperwork, background checks, home visits, training requirements, and a variety of other [...]
Getting Ready for the Holidays
The holiday season is a time of joy, wonder, and family traditions. For many, it’s a season filled with excitement and anticipation. However, for children in foster care, adoptive homes, [...]
