Archive for Articles
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Recently, a friend and I leaned against my kitchen counter, watching our children play in the backyard. As we sipped coffee we chatted about a young couple in our church that is in the process of adopting two children. We reminisced about the time when we were in their shoes, recalling how little we truly knew and understood about the road that lay ahead. My friend and I agreed — we wished we could share all we have learned since that time about adopting children from “hard places.” We wished that someone had done the same for us.
As we talked, I realized that much of what we have learned along the way might be helpful to more than just this couple. They are good lessons and timely reminders for all of us who are on the adoption journey, no matter how far along.
Tags: Adoption, Adoption Preparation, Count the Cost, Motivations and Expectations
Posted in Articles | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Children from hard places are often impacted in many different ways by their histories. One of the most profound, yet often overlooked, is the way in which these children’s sensory processing is affected.
The new educational video, A Sensory World: Making Sense of Sensory Disorders, produced by the TCU Institute of Child Development features Dr. Karyn Purvis and offers insights about how sensory processing disorders make it difficult for many children to function at home and school, and can be the underlying cause of behavioral problems. The video provides parents and professionals with the insights they need to learn to recognize signs of sensory disorders as well as the practical strategies to help parents and children effectively deal with the them. In addition, child development researchers Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross, and Carol Kranowitz, author of The Out-of-Sync Child, provide a number of playful activities to help children improve their self-esteem and overcome everyday struggles that hamper their success.
Tags: Behavioral Challenges, Discipline, DVDs, School Issues, Sensory Processing, TCU Institute of Child Development
Posted in Articles | 1 Comment »
Thursday, June 24, 2010
For many, the adoption process begins by surveying agency information, evaluating financial considerations and tackling mountains of paperwork, all while working through a complex array of questions, doubts and even fears. One important, but often overlooked, aspect is the need to engage the adoption journey from the “inside out” – through ongoing, honest self-reflection and self-evaluation.
Tags: Adoption, Adoption Preparation, Attachment, Attachment Styles, Behavioral Challenges, Motivations and Expectations
Posted in Articles | 1 Comment »
Monday, June 14, 2010
Show Hope and Empowered To Connect are partnering to present the Empowered To Connect Conference on September 10 & 11, 2010, in Nashville, Tennessee. This two day conference will feature two tracks with sessions and workshops led by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Michael & Amy Monroe. All participants are highly encouraged to attend sessions on both days, and professionals will be eligible to receive CEU credit for their participation in the conference.
Tags: Adoption, Adoption Preparation, Church Ministry, ETC Conference, Foster Care, Orphan Care
Posted in Articles | No Comments »
Monday, May 3, 2010
Created To Connect: A Christian’s Guide to The Connected Child is a study guide created by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Michael & Amy Monroe to help illuminate the biblical principles that serve as the foundation for the philosophy and the interventions detailed in Dr. Purvis’ book, The Connected Child. This study guide is designed to help adoptive and foster parents better understand how to build strong and lasting connections with their children, and is ideal for use in small groups as well as by individuals or couples.
Tags: Adoption, Adoption Preparation, Attachment, Behavioral Challenges, Church Ministry, Created To Connect Study Guide, Discipline, Fear, Investment Model of Parenting, Overcoming Fear, Trauma
Posted in Articles | 4 Comments »
Thursday, April 22, 2010
I was reminded last night of something I already knew, though I often try to forget it. It is one of the more sobering realities of adoption – the fact that there is no adoption without loss and pain . . . and grief.
As an adoptive dad, like all adoptive parents, my tendency is to focus on the miracle, blessing and joy of adoption – and rightfully so. These are the undeniably beautiful realities of the adoption journey. But they do not negate the equally unavoidable reality that there is no adoption without loss and pain. Adoption is at the same time born from and a response to hurt, loss and sorrow.
Tags: Adoption, Giving Voice, Loss and Grief, Talking with Childen
Posted in Articles | No Comments »
Sunday, April 4, 2010
The Institute of Child Development has an all new website at www.child.tcu.edu. The new site includes new resources as well as a new video series for parents. You can also purchase DVDs produced by the Institute covering a wide range of topics relevant for parents and professionals.
Be sure to check out the new Institute website today!
Tags: DVDs, TCU Institute of Child Development
Posted in Articles | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
On Thursday, March 25, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, Dr. Karyn Purvis will be leading a free webinar entitled Parenting Children from Haiti and Other “Hard Places”. During this webinar Dr. Purvis will spend one hour answering parents’ questions on parenting their children from Haiti, and other “hard places” (which she will define). There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about attachment, sleep issues, behavior challenges, family dynamics or any other challenge you are facing.
Space is limited so be sure to register soon! Click here for more information or to register online.
Latest Update: You can click here for a link to the audio and slide presentation for the webinar.
Tags: Adoption, Adoption Preparation, Attachment, Behavioral Challenges, Brain Chemistry, Discipline, Trauma
Posted in Articles | Comments Off
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The February 2010 issue of Adoption Today features an article entitled Becoming More Real to My Kids. The article focuses on the need for us as parents to more fully embrace our children holistically, including those parts of their past and present which can be difficult and painful.
Tags: Adoption, Adoption Preparation, Loss and Grief, Motivations and Expectations, Talking with Childen
Posted in Articles | No Comments »
Sunday, January 17, 2010
As part of our ongoing Common Questions & Concerns series, we address behavior and discipline issues that many children from hard places often encounter at school:
Question: My child is struggling in the classroom and is being sent to the principal’s office on a regular basis. He refuses to do some of the art class activities, has melt-downs in music class and withdraws during some class activities. To make things worse, standing in the school lunch line today he punched a child in the stomach and was sent to the prinicipal’s office to sit for the rest of the afternoon (nearly 3 hours!). What can I do?
Tags: Behavioral Challenges, Common Questions & Concerns, School Issues, Sensory Processing
Posted in Articles | No Comments »