Are You an Adoptive or Step-Mom Who's Living in the GAP?

Are You an Adoptive or Step-Mom Who's Living in the GAP?
 
You may know that my tagline is “standing in the gap for second moms“ — so you may wonder, 
what gap? Where is this gap? 

Do you know what the gap is in your life? 

See if this rings a bell:

ENTERING THE GAP...

The gap I have recognized is when you know something is wrong, and as mom you have identified that there’s a real problem that needs to be addressed and you begin to reach out for information, for resources, for help.  

You may not know exactly what to call it. 

You may not know if there’s something diagnosable…or what the cause is…even where to look for answers. But that doesn’t stop you. You’re told not to worry or given trite responses or over-simplified advice. 

You don’t know exactly what to do...

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Adoptive Parents: The Tightrope Walk of Caregiving

When a child is adopted, it is often thought that their previous traumatic experiences will automatically disappear. However, this is not always the case. In fact, many adopted children suffer from the effects of their childhood trauma long after they have been removed from the abusive environment.

This can be due to a number of factors. For example, some adoptees may feel like they are not worthy of love and support because they were given up by their birth parents. Others may feel like they are constantly being judged by others because of their adoption status. As a result, these adoptees may struggle to form healthy relationships with others and may struggle with self-esteem issues.

It is important to remember that childhood trauma does not go away automatically once a child is removed from their previous environment.
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The (Unexpected) Pressures of Being an Adoptive Parent

The (Unexpected) Pressures of Being an Adoptive Parent
If you're thinking about becoming an adoptive parent, or are in the process of adopting, you're probably aware of many challenges that come with the territory. From the paperwork and legalities to the physical and emotional tolls, there's no denying that adoption is a big undertaking. 

What you may not be prepared for, however, are the pressures that come with being an adoptive parent over the long term. When you become an adoptive parent, you are signing up for a lifetime of love, laughter, and surprises. You might think that the biggest challenge you'll face as an adoptive parent is the initial adjustment period—getting to know your new child and helping them adjust to their new home.

But for many adoptive parents, the most challenging years are yet to come. In my program, Success For Second Moms I share about the life cycle of adoptive families and certain trouble spots to be aware of in each of the phases. 
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Success For Second Moms, Adoptive moms, pre-adoption trauma