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The Tenacious Mama: Confessions of An Adoptive Mother
I’m currently on the roller-coaster ride of single parenting an adopted teenage son. Join me each week as I share my lived experience by starting with a confession, in the hopes of normalizing the complex issues that often come with parenting an adopted child.
The Tenacious Mama: Confessions of An Adoptive Mother
E25: I am Lane's bowling lane bumpers
Confession: I have started referring to myself as Lane’s bumpers on a bowling lane. I can guide and provide for him, keeping him out of the gutters in adolescence, while at the same time understanding he has free will. I need to trust in his ability to make good choices in the teen years. Lane needs to trust that I will be there for him, even when he doesn’t.
Also included in this episode:
*the sad reality of school lockdown drills
*school tours and how Lane chose his new school for 10th grade
*more about Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain by Daniel J. Siegel
*the importance of keeping the lines of communication open between you and your teen
*examples of showing no emotional reaction when my then-stepsons and Lane shared surprising things
*why I try to ask, "Do you want to be heard, hugged, or helped?" when Lane discloses things
*how I worked with Lane to understand why he was ditching school in 8th grade and what finally cured him of the bad habit
SHOW NOTES:
Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain by Daniel J Seigel
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Thanks for listening, Beloveds. Please take care of yourselves; if you don’t do it, who will? Keep advocating for your child. And, most importantly, stay tenacious!
PODCAST RECOMMENDATION:
QUICK VIDEOS TO WATCH:
Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development
BOOK RECOMMENDATION:
The A-Z of Therapeutic Parenting Strategies and Solutions by Sarah Naish
Resources on suicide prevention:
Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
- Call or text 988
- Chat at 988lifeline.org
Connect with a trained crisis cou...