ADOPTION STRUGGLES AND SUPPORT | Adoption Trauma, Safety, Peace of Mind, Biblical Encouragement, Respite, Journaling

When your adopted child is struggling, how can you support them while being okay yourself? Hi Neighbor, Ever felt like your adopted child was stuck in an emotional ditch? Today’s segment, Getting Out of the Ditch, comes from Episode 183. Jane Baker uses a powerful metaphor: if your child is down in a ditch, you can’t help them by jumping in after them.  I want to encourage you to listen, take note...

As adoptive parents, we often face incredibly challenging moments, especially when our kids are struggling or make choices that push us to the brink. Hi Neighbor, When things go south, what can you do? You can call the therapist, the case worker, or sometimes, even the police. But what’s next? How can you be okay even if your kids aren’t? Today’s segment, Call for Pizza, comes from Episode 183. I...

He was called son. He was called grandson. He was called nephew. He was called cousin, and he was called brother. But he was never called husband. He was never called daddy, and he was never called grandpa because he never came home. I hope when I’m finished telling you his story, you might consider calling him hero. Hi Neighbor, This episode was recorded as we prepare to celebrate Memorial Day in...

Feeling overwhelmed as an adoptive parent? You can’t pour from an empty cup! Hi Neighbor, Parenting, especially in adoptive families, can be overwhelming. There’s only so much you can give before you have nothing more to offer. Today’s segment, The Magic Is in Nurturing Your Relationships, comes from Episode 183. I want to encourage you to listen, take notes, and sit with the idea or ideas that sp...

Life as an adoptive family can feel like a never-ending whirlwind. What can adoptive parents do to help their family connect and find calm when feeling overwhelmed or stressed?  Hi Neighbor, As adoptive parents, it’s easy to get swept away by busy schedules and endless to-dos. Life will pile on demands until you intentionally slow down. It’s okay to say no to yet another commitment and just spend...

Parenting an adopted child comes with unique challenges, and healing starts with you. Here’s how to truly support your adopted child and yourself. Hi Neighbor, Navigating the intricate journey of adoptive parenting presents unexpected hurdles, especially when trauma, healing, and family history are involved.  Today’s segment, Don’t Be Afraid to Go to Therapy, comes from Episode 183. As adoptive pa...

Unresolved grief isn’t always obvious: Grief in adopted children often goes unrecognized, especially in the early years. Challenging behaviors aren’t always just a phase, they can be signals of deeper emotional pain. Hi Neighbor, As adoptive parents, we strive to create safe and loving homes. Yet, sometimes, deeper emotional layers, like unresolved grief, can go unnoticed in our children. Today’s...

A lot of times, adopted children find it difficult to open up to their parents about the struggles they face regarding their adoption. Why is that? Hi Neighbor, Adoptive parenting isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Understanding the hidden struggles of adopted kids can transform how we support and connect with them. Here are some powerful insights you NEED to hear. Today’s segment, Understanding the...

You can’t heal your child’s pain for them! What can adoptive parents do? Hi Neighbor, In this episode, I want to introduce a new format derived from the more information-packed episodes— short, digestible segments, each centering around a single key concept to support you on your parenting journey. Today’s segment, Adoption is Like a Car Accident, comes from Episode 183. I want to encourage you to...

It’s not uncommon for me to start getting them at about 11 or 12 because parents have noticed a big shift. When we start getting into it... a lot of it connects back to sadness, grieving, and loss about why didn’t they keep me? What’s wrong with me? Hi Neighbor, Adoption is built on loss. It’s a journey of processing this loss, especially during the preteen and teen years. Parents can’t heal these...

Would he hate us for loving him this much? We didn’t know. Would he see this as the ultimate act of betrayal? We didn’t know. Would he embrace the help we had finally found for him? We didn’t know. What we did know was our son needed help, help our love couldn't give him.  Hi Neighbor, Can you imagine the heartbreak of watching your child struggle with emotions so raw and unfamiliar, you don’t eve...

To some extent, the adoption journey will take a personal toll on you. You might find it difficult to keep yourself regulated. There could be times when you’re easily triggered. You could experience physical and emotional abuse.  There might be times when you feel overwhelmed. You can’t breathe. You’re out of control. You feel like you’re drowning. What do you do? May I suggest you practice respit...

When I work with parents, they ask me, have I done it right? Did I do something wrong? How could I have done it better? There is a lot of self-reflection, which is really healthy. But I’m also mindful of the emotional burden that adoptive parents carry all the time. ~Crystal Luk-Worrall Hi Neighbor, EMDR therapy for kids? Yes! Initially, for soldiers with PTSD, this therapy helps children process...

When I saw it, my heart sank. I thought I had just killed my boys. Hi Neighbor, I’m switching things up today! Instead of talking about adoption, I want to bring you a message of encouragement. We all face storms in life, and in this episode, I’ll share a weather-related story that reflects that struggle. It might start a little rough, but hang in there—I promise it’s leading somewhere inspiring!...

Hi Neighbor, As adoptive parents, we often find ourselves grappling with questions, fears, and challenges unique to the adoption journey. In this episode, I want to share 3 stories that shape Adoption Struggles and Support. This podcast is deeply personal. Yes, it’s to support adoptive parents, but it’s also much more.  I want you to know, you’re not alone. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the w...

“Take hold of my instructions. Don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.” ~Proverbs 4:13 Hi Neighbor, How can adoptive parents be okay even if their kids aren’t? May I suggest you hold on to an anchor. In this episode, I’ll consider a concept I call an ”anchor point,” which involves anchoring yourself in biblical principles to find guidance and peace during challenging times.  I...

It’s a conversation I never wanted to have with my son, Jonny. It’s a conversation I hope adoptive parents never have to have with their children. But it’s a conversation you need to be prepared to have. Hi Neighbor, Today marks a change for this podcast. We’re pivoting from Anchors of Encouragement to Adoption Struggles and Support. In this episode, I’ll share some of the reasons for this pivot a...

“The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” ~Philippians 4:9 Hi Neighbor, In this episode, I’ll share a personal story from my adoption journey and how it inspired my words for the year. Ever think about the secret sauce to navigating the highs and lows of the adoption journey? Let’s chat about a concept from Ph...

Whenever you find yourself triggered and negative thoughts are running through your head, what can you do? May I suggest it's time to empty the garbage?  Hi Neighbor, Welcome to another unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement. This is the last episode in our series where I’ve been laying the foundation for my words this year, giving you breadcrumbs to a word jumble. Here’s a hint: I’m going...

“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.” ~Luke 10:33 NLT Hi Neighbor, Welcome to another unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement. In our previous episodes, I began laying the foundation for my words this year, giving you breadcrumbs to a word jumble. Here’s a hint: I’m going to reveal these words slowly. We’ll dive deep into their meanings...

“Therefore, don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ~Matthew 6:34 CSB Hi Neighbor, Welcome to another unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement. In our previous episodes, I began laying the foundation for my words this year, giving you breadcrumbs to a word jumble. Here’s a hint: I’m going to reveal these words slowly. We’l...

“Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body..” ~Proverbs 16:24 NLT Hi Neighbor, Welcome to another unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement. In our previous episodes, I began laying the foundation for my words this year, giving you breadcrumbs to a word jumble. Here’s a hint: I’m going to reveal these words slowly. We’ll dive deep into their meanings by breaking the...

“The generous will prosper. Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” ~Proverbs 11:25 NLT Hi Neighbor, Welcome you to another unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement. In our previous episodes, I began laying the foundation for my words this year, giving you breadcrumbs to a word jumble. Here’s a hint: I’m going to reveal these words slowly. We’ll dive deep into their meanings b...

“When snow falls, nature listens.” ~Antoinette van Kleeff When snow falls, nature seems to slow down. Everything becomes quieter and calmer. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could harness that sense of calm for ourselves? I believe we can. Hi Neighbor, Welcome you to another unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement, this one during a winter storm warning! In our previous episodes, I began layin...

“All for One and One for All!” Hi Neighbor, Welcome you to another unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement. In our previous episode, I began laying the foundation for my words this year, giving you breadcrumbs, if you will, to a word jumble. Here’s a hint: I’m going to reveal these words slowly. We’ll dive deep into their meanings by breaking them down into acronyms, like a little puzzle – a...