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 …
Continue reading “How Fostering Challenged My Relationships”
I walked through the grocery store jumping around from side to side sure that something was about to happen. When I turned the corner, I put my arms up ready to fight, as an 80-year-old woman who was no threat turned the corner and almost collided with me. Having just returned home from Afghanistan it …
Continue reading “Over Perceiving Threat, Under Perceiving Safety “
We now have more scientific evidence than ever showing the relationship between the mind and body. Most of us understand how diet can influence mental health (example: giving a child a sugary snack before bedtime). However, we also need to understand the very real physical effects of psychological stress and trauma on the body, particularly with trauma …
If you recall, in my last blog I talked through the definition of trauma and how trauma can get stored in the body. Trauma leaves an impact long after it’s over. Chronically freezing, trying to escape, fighting, or collapsing. But why? Why do our bodies get caught like this? How We Get Stuck Well, there …
Trauma. This is such a buzz word right now. I’m grateful in some ways that more people and leaders are recognizing the impact of trauma and doing something about it. As with many buzz words, though, the word can become confusing. What is trauma? How do I know if it applies to me? No one …
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 …
You get into a relationship, you’re getting to know each other, starting to trust and rely on each other, and then BAM! Something happens that throws you or your partner off. Something makes you infuriated, terribly sad and hurt, or extremely nervous and worried. But what could that “something” be? This blog is about how …
The facts of human trafficking in Arizona. In honor of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, I wanted to mention a few facts about this topic to bring awareness to it. The average age of a victim is between 12 and 14 years old. The abuse that happens to these young people makes it extremely difficult to …
Continue reading “The Fight Against Human Trafficking in Arizona”
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 …
