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Category: Adoption

How Fostering Challenged My Relationships

Amanda Tallman May 6, 2022 No Comments

There are many relationships that happen through being a foster parent. If I had to name them all, it would probably take up most of this blog. Then there are relationships with friends and family that were there before we became foster parents. When I became a foster parent in 2016, I heard about all the challenges with behaviors and all the challenges I would face in relation to the child coming into my home, but what I did not realize is the challenges it would add to my own relationships. Relationship with significant other It was about 6 months

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ACEs and Resiliency in Kids

Amanda Tallman March 2, 2022 No Comments

Ever wonder what ACEs stands for and why it is important to understand? According to the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center, ACEs stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences and was one of the largest studies done on the impact of childhood abuse and neglect on health and well-being later in life. The original ACE study was conducted at Kaiser Permanente from 1995-1997 and included two waves of data collection. More than 17,000 people participated in physical exams and confidential surveys regarding their childhood experiences, current health status, and behaviors. The ACE survey consisted of ten questions. You can find the

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Managing My Child’s Behaviors Started with Me

Amanda Tallman January 24, 2022 No Comments

In the fall of 2016, my husband and I became licensed foster parents. Everyone told us we would get a nice “honeymoon phase,” before behaviors escalated with the kids who came into our home. I was caught off guard when we did not experience the “honeymoon phase.” I felt unprepared and overwhelmed. I began to question if I actually knew what I was doing. The information from all the classes I had taken seemed to disappear. “How will we ever get through this?” My husband and I would question. Start with Self Care             Managing behaviors comes with practical skills

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Grateful for the Hard Things

Dr. Crystal Krueger November 24, 2021 No Comments

One of my favorite things to do as an adoptive parent is talk about those taboo topics that we aren’t “allowed” to discuss with the general public, because… well, a lot of people just don’t get it.  How the systems are taxing and the people are exhausting.  Those are the conversation most people understand.  But it becomes uncomfortable when we start talking about the challenges that come along with parenting children who are adopted.  Many people want to paint this picture that adoption is easy.  Can it be rewarding?  Yes.  Is it easy? No.  It’s Hard And it’s hard.  It

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Opening the Door for Communication

Kashmir Frank, LMFT November 18, 2021 No Comments

I want to talk about something that is very near and dear to my heart- communicating with a kiddo that is a foster or adopted child.  I’m sure that we can all agree that communication in general is very important.  It’s a skill that is ever growing and that we all struggle with sometimes.  I find a lot of my parents, even in my own family, struggle with communication with their children.  We forget how important it is and get frustrated at times.  I think that’s pretty normal.  When it comes to foster and adopted children communication really is key. 

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Adoption: Why Traditional Parenting Doesn’t Work

Dr. Crystal Krueger November 12, 2021 No Comments

When my (adopted) son was about four years old, he brought me a picture he had drawn of himself, my husband, and me.  You know those super, sweet pictures kids draw of people that are really just a circle with limbs sticking out?  That’s the kind.  This memory stands out because it was pivotal moment for my husband and I.  I wish I could say it was the moment we know he felt belonging in our family.  The moment we knew he felt loved.  The moment we knew… we had done a good job parenting him, basically.  This really was

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Adoption: What happened to the Happily Ever After?

Dr. Crystal Krueger November 4, 2021 No Comments

As we enter adoption month, it’s worth saying this is a beautiful month to celebrate.  Thank you to all the families who selflessly give their hearts, time, and selves to support children who need to belong.  Thank you to the communities who support these families.  This is one thing that makes adoption so beautiful.  It’s not one sided, though.  As an adoptive parent, I have learned so much about myself and about parenting.  My son, in all of his sweet innocence, has taught me so much about what it means to give selflessly, to be patient, and to love unconditionally. 

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