by Stephanie | Articles, Blended Life
Words. I recall this saying, Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me. It was a lie. In the adoption world, especially in the transracial adoption world, words hurt. Intentional words meant to alienate, separate, and ‘other’ my family....
by Stephanie | Articles, Blended Life
I was sitting in the hallway outside three classrooms overflowing with first graders. It was moments after morning exercise when it seems that the kids are most awake, engaged, and happy. Something about bopping along to ‘Dynamite’ together makes their...
by Stephanie | Articles, Blended Life
So often our babes from foster care come with so many labels attached because of the trauma they have experienced. What we often fail to understand is that they WANT to revive connection, care, reciprocation, it’s just such a long, long, way back. This is why...
by Stephanie | Articles, Blended Life
Adoption is birthed from loss; there is no way around that. Once we as adoptive parents can get our hearts around that truth we are better equipped to help our kids. Those of us who know our child’s early beginnings have the meaningful job of communicating those...
by Stephanie | Articles, Blended Life
The holidays always heighten my sense of family. The days are darker earlier and there is more time to sit beside the fire and snuggle and talk before my kids trail off to bed. Lately I have had long talks with my oldest daughter about what major she will choose when...