Compiled by Jenny Riddle with Traci Newell, LBSW, TBRI® Practitioner, Education Specialist & National Program Director for Families Count™ For foster parents, talking with children in their care about their families may be uncomfortable, particularly when circumstances are challenging. As shepherds of their children’s hearts, though, parents must recognize that a child’s understanding of his

“Ugh, teenagers!” “Teens just go brain dead for a little while and then come back.” “It’s all the raging hormones — they act crazy!” “If we can just get through these years, we will be ok.” In the book Brainstorm, Daniel L. Siegel, M.D., provides abundant research on the changes that take place within the

Crossings is so important because it helps prepare families to parent children from hard places. These children have so much trauma and hurt in their past and often do not respond well to "typical parenting."

Video Topics Include: An Overnight Family - Becoming Victorious in the Midst of Infertility - Post Adoptive Questions - Becoming Part of the TEAM - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder - Trauma Sensitive Teaching - Older Child Adoption - Special Needs Adoption - Preparing Children at Home for the Arrival of Fostered or Adopted Siblings - Post Adoption Depression - Trauma and the Brain

When children come into our care from hard places, whether as a newborn or an older child, they have experienced trauma. Our privilege as a parent is to walk with them through the healing that their hearts need. Is it easy? Absolutely not. However, shepherding a child in this process can be one of the

For Newly Adoptive Families We often think about the holidays with fond memories and a desire to be around those whom we love. Now, think about the craziness of holidays and consider how they could impact a child who has never been around such festivities, particularly with excited loved ones who are not familiar with

What is the difference between willful defiance and a trauma reaction? Children who have experienced relational or circumstantial trauma can express themselves in ways that are typically regarded as defiant misbehavior. Their minds, however, are often reacting to how their bodies have been programmed to deal with unpleasant situations, particularly responding out of fear. In

The story of a mom in crisis and those who have wrapped the love of Jesus around her.. the impact is amazing and eternal! “I am a single mom, I have 2 kids, living in the mission in my city, going to have a baby in 2 weeks, and have no reliable, extended family or friends

The Financial Cost of Adoption My husband and I always desired to grow our family through adoption, but browsing websites and crunching numbers left me overwhelmed and a little discouraged. Although I fully believe that God equips us for the things He calls us to, hard facts and dollar signs sometimes make the journey seem

Before my husband and I adopted our ten-year-old daughter from foster care, we felt we were equipped and prepared to parent her. After all, we had already raised three children who had turned out well. We both had experience working in an adoption agency with vulnerable children and adoptive families. We both had a heart

“Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need.  To do this you must always be ready and never give up.  Always pray for all God’s people.”  Ephesians 6:18 As Paul instructed the believers in Ephesus to pray for their needs and the needs of others, we

In our churches, we want to honor mothers while also being cognizant of the truth that many in our church family are hurting. The nature of foster care can create a situation in which we want to be especially sensitive that Mother’s Day can be a difficult day for birth parents, foster parents, and children

I think most of us would agree that all people need love. Love is an essential part of growing and developing as a human being. God did not create mankind to live void of emotion and relationship; these things are indispensable, especially when parenting adopted children. Adoption begins a lifelong process of attachment and bonding

Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to shame those who have asked these questions. After hearing from many parents, we have learned that most of them welcome questions and appreciate opportunities to talk about their adoption! They understand that most questions are innocently asked. The purpose of this blog is to assist adoptive families in

The adoption process and the word smooth are most often found together in prayer requests but rarely in real life. If you sit in any of Lifeline’s adoption informational meetings, you will hear Dave Wood or another staff member confidently say that everyone’s process hits a roadblock at some point. Some roadblocks are more severe

As believers, do we truly comprehend the ‘sanctity’ of life? We all say we stand for this, but do our lives, thoughts, and actions reflect this? Do we value some lives more than others? Do we value earthly life more than eternal life? As the ministry of Lifeline goes deeper into this broken and sinful

On January 13th, 1984 President Ronald Reagan proclaimed that January 22nd would be National Sanctity of Life Day. Reagan reminded all of America that “the values and freedoms we cherish as Americans rest on our fundamental commitment to the sanctity of human life. The first of the `unalienable rights’ affirmed by our Declaration of Independence

I get very excited about all of the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season and look forward to that good kind of exhaustion that comes from decorating the house, extra baking, shopping, parties, and church programs that celebrate the coming of our Lord.  For our adoptive and foster children, all of this extra activity

Meet Josh Caldwell. Here he is with his awesome family- Staci and Moses. He is our Manager of Partnerships and Involvement. Basically, that means he is responsible for connecting and involving churches to all aspects of Lifelines ministries. A big job! Get to know Josh a little better below: How did you first get involved

As parents, teachers, and children are beginning the new school year, we know there is much excitement. This time of the year also provides many opportunities for uncertainty and anxiety, particularly for parents of children from challenging backgrounds. Foster and adoptive parents play a vital role in the lives of their children and in preparing