One of the important spiritual preparations I've made this Advent to enable my heart to draw closer to the Christ-child, to recognise the wonder of God-incarnate, sent from heaven to rescue us from ourselves, is... ...to re-write Baby Shark with Nativity words. Yeah, that kind of sums up my … [Read more...] about THE ADOPTIVE ROLE OF JOSEPH IN THE CHRISTMAS STORY
Adoption
Adoption is my passion. For all resources connected with adoption, as well as empathy and encouragement for your adoption journey, you've come to the right place. Enjoy browsing, and let me know if I can help you with anything!
DEAR WORLD, MY ‘ADOPTED’ CHILDREN ARE ALSO MY ‘OWN’ CHILDREN. PLEASE DON’T DIFFERENTIATE.
It's National Adoption Week, which seemed like a good opportunity for a rant. As you know, I tend to blog positively and (I hope) humorously about adoption, and its impact on our family. It's not all roses, of course, and I'm honest about the struggles of raising four children, two of whom have … [Read more...] about DEAR WORLD, MY ‘ADOPTED’ CHILDREN ARE ALSO MY ‘OWN’ CHILDREN. PLEASE DON’T DIFFERENTIATE.
CHOOSING A SCHOOL FOR AN ADOPTED CHILD (5 QUESTIONS TO ASK)
Blink, and three years will pass in an instant. I mean, while you know and I know that it's only actually been three minutes since our gorgeous 14-month-old boys moved into our family, the calendar (damn that thing - is it even a trustworthy article?) suggests it's actually been nearly three … [Read more...] about CHOOSING A SCHOOL FOR AN ADOPTED CHILD (5 QUESTIONS TO ASK)
ADOPTION AND VICARAGES: HOW DO I KEEP CHILDREN SAFE IN A ‘PUBLIC’ FAMILY SPACE?
The adoption process involves several home visits. Your social worker doesn't need to see a show home (thank flippin' goodness for that) – but they do need to see that you have the space for a new child/ren, that you're able to keep the home clean and tidy enough to nurture human life, and that … [Read more...] about ADOPTION AND VICARAGES: HOW DO I KEEP CHILDREN SAFE IN A ‘PUBLIC’ FAMILY SPACE?
CAN YOU IMAGINE HAVING NO FATHER?
I can't imagine how it would feel to have no father. I can imagine a remote father - detached, preoccupied, no space in his life for children. I can imagine his regret and guilt at having been talked into a family he never really wanted - or, perhaps, the absence of regret and guilt, as time starts … [Read more...] about CAN YOU IMAGINE HAVING NO FATHER?
THE MERMAID WHO COULDN’T – BOOK REVIEW
Being removed from your biological family, at whatever age it happens, has life-changing impact. There will be negative emotions and responses which feel so intuitive, that the idea of ever shaking them off seems impossible. The more resources which help children and parents to navigate these … [Read more...] about THE MERMAID WHO COULDN’T – BOOK REVIEW
THE A-Z OF THERAPEUTIC PARENTING – BOOK REVIEW
I'm hugely excited this week to be sharing an absolutely brilliant book with you. The A-Z of Therapeutic Parenting (Sarah Naish) was released a few weeks ago, and I have to tell you that it's already revolutionising my parenting. Wait...rewind a few steps...what's therapeutic parenting? It's a style … [Read more...] about THE A-Z OF THERAPEUTIC PARENTING – BOOK REVIEW
WHY ADOPT WHEN YOU CAN HAVE BIRTH CHILDREN?
It's one of those questions that many of us might have in our heads, but never actually verbalise. After all, it sounds rude, doesn't it? As if we're questioning someone's life choices - something we know never, ever to do in 21st-century Britain. Well, here's an answer. It's my answer, and it may … [Read more...] about WHY ADOPT WHEN YOU CAN HAVE BIRTH CHILDREN?
WHY MY SON TORE UP HIS MOTHERS’ DAY CARD (AND IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK)
As an organised, sentimental yet time-starved Mum, my approach to archiving all those special bits and pieces that your kids produce (and which you want to keep because, my gosh, some of it is truly awful), consists of throwing them all into named box files. It works pretty well: each child has a … [Read more...] about WHY MY SON TORE UP HIS MOTHERS’ DAY CARD (AND IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK)