This 16 video series (developed in partnership with the TCU Institute of Child Development) offers seven insights and seven gifts that are highly relevant for those who are parenting children that were adopted or are in foster care.
You can also download the Insights & Gifts Discussion Guide free of charge. This discussion guide was designed primarily for use in a small group setting where parents have the opportunity to openly share and learn from others. However, we believe that parents will also find this video series and the discussion guide beneficial for individual use or together as a couple.
After viewing each of the Insights & Gifts video segments, participants are encouraged to thoughtfully consider and discuss the Questions for Discussion in the discussion guide. We have also included additional questions for each segment, Questions for Going Deeper, that require a bit more self-evaluation and vulnerability, as well as some suggestions for additional resources that may be helpful.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis introduces Empowered To Connect’s Insights & Gifts video series. This 16 video series focuses on seven insights and seven gifts for parents who are parenting children that were adopted or are in foster care.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis talks about the importance of parents exploring their expectations and motivations, as well as the impact that their own history can have when parenting.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis focuses on the need for adoptive and foster parents to simplify their lives in dramatic ways in order to help their children adjust, build trust and develop a strong connection.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis encourages adoptive and foster parents to provide familiarity and continuity for their child, including familiar foods and smells, elements of their native language and culture, and, where appropriate, contact with familiar people.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis highlights the importance of proximity, healthy touch and gentle eye contact.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis talks honestly about the need for adoptive and foster parents to expect trauma responses from their child. While long-term challenges, of various kinds, should be expected, Dr. Purvis reminds parents that there are many answers that provide hope and healing.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis encourages parents to remain mindful of the complex needs of children.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis explains the need for parents to provide children with a balance of both nurture and structure in order to help them feel safe, develop trust and heal.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis explains the importance of giving voice to children and how parents can do that.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis explains why children need nurture and how parents can best provide it.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis explains the importance of sharing appropriate levels of power with children in order to help them learn to trust and to heal.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis talks about the importance of predictability and how parents can help children succeed by enabling them to know what to expect.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis encourages parents not to be afraid of their child’s feelings and instead allow their child to openly discuss and process his feelings.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis focuses parents on the need to use playful engagement to help disarm their child’s fear response and to enable a stronger connection. This video is part of the Insights & Gifts video series provided by Empowered To Connect.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis talks about the importance of parents taking care of themselves in order to be able to be fully present for their children to help them heal.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis concludes Empowered To Connect’s Insight & Gifts video series. This series focuses on seven insights and seven gifts for parents who adopt or foster children.