Empowering
5 Reasons Our Family Fosters
by FaithBridge Foster Care
My husband, three biological children and I knew that it would be hard to love and let go, but we also knew that God would give us His peace and strength to enter the difficult journey of temporarily loving children from hard places.
5 Ways Fostering has Shaped Our Biological Son
by FaithBridge Foster Care
Foster care is often a refining process which can be hard on anyone … especially children. But on the other side of that refining journey,our biological son has become a young man who is shining brighter than ever.
A Challenge for Adoptive Dads
by Empowered to Connect
Don't sit on the sidelines when your kids experience challenges related to adoption or foster care. Don't leave mom on her own to figure everything out!
02:03
A Less Than IDEAL Response
by Empowered to Connect
Learn about the IDEAL response and how it can be used to effectively correct while still helping you stay connected with your child.
A Letter to Foster Care “Trauma Mamas”
by FaithBridge Foster Care
I love him as if I had birthed him myself and it’s a messy birth story like any other, I suppose. No birth arrives without blood, sweat and tears.
A Letter to My Daughters About Fitting In and Standing Out
by Jason Johnson
In a world of conflicting messages about who girls should be, what they should value, and how they should be defined as women, here is one father's heartfelt appeal to his daughters.
A Ministry for the Whole Family
by FaithBridge Foster Care
It is a great ministry for our family because it is something we all can do together. Our daughters certainly can help us take care of children who need a family.
Adopted Athletes Realize the Olympic Dream
by Bethany Christian Services
The Olympic Games is an exciting time for both the participating athletes and their families—and for some, the parents who adopted them.
Band-Aids Heal More Than You Can See
by Empowered to Connect
Giving and receiving love may seem like an easy thing, but for many adopted and foster kids, it's not.
Becoming a Band-Aid Dad
by Empowered to Connect
The bandage does more than bond a child to a parent. It is a way for the parent to heal, protect, and connect!
Being a Successful Foster Child
by Bethany Christian Services
Before Jamie Schwandt was a commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve, and before he was the successful man he is today, he was a vulnerable child in foster care. Listen to his story as he shares what it takes to overcome a turbulent childhood and achieve personal success.
22:03
Being on the Same Page
by Empowered to Connect
Disciplining your child is a tag team event! Make sure you and your spouse support one another and stay on the same page!
02:34
Being With
by Empowered to Connect
If we want our children to learn to respond with empathy, then it is up to us to model it for them.
Building Trust By Saying Yes As Much As Possible
by Empowered to Connect
Saying yes to the requests of your kids can help you build trust and connect with them on a deeper level.
03:05
Caring for Needy Children
by FamilyLife
The Bible tells believers to care for widows and orphans. For James and Mona Harper, that didn’t leave any room for debate or discussion – if there was a need, they just took care of it. Their daughters talk about it.
29:28
Challenges of Adoption
by FamilyLife
Paul and Robin Pennington talk about the hard realities of adoption. The adoptive parents talk about ROOTED, their online training course that offers gospel-centered support for adoptive and foster families.
24:36
Chatting With Kids About Adoption
by Empowered to Connect
Learn a few misconceptions about adoption chats and reflect on several ideas to help you talk to your child about adoption in a healthy way.
Check the Expiration Date on Your Compassion
by Empowered to Connect
Your children need parents whose compassion always stays “fresh.” True compassion does not have an expiration date.
Christmas Challenges for Kids with Common Mental Health Concerns
by Dr. Steve Grcevich
Holidays can be especially difficult for kids with common mental health conditions. Here are three strategies that parents can use to help alleviate the impact.
Church Transitions and Kids with Disabilities
by Dr. Steve Grcevich
Transitions become easier when ministry leaders and parents create a peer culture that is accepting of kids with differences.
Claim the Abundant Life for All of God’s Children
by Jacqui Jackson
Some children have seen up close and personally what sin has done to a broken world. They do not have Momma or Daddy standing in the gap for them here on earth. But God gave them you!
Closing the Gap
by Empowered to Connect
Do you understand the impact your children’s histories have on their development? Learn how to respond compassionately so that you can effectively lead them toward healing.
Color
by Empowered to Connect
Carissa Woodwyk shares her experience as a transracial adoptee to help you understand what your child may go through.
58:39
Common Questions and Concerns
by Empowered to Connect
This message deals with the issue of fear, and how parents can effectively help their children address and overcome their fears.
Common Questions and Concerns: Transition and Attachment
by Empowered to Connect
Is your adopted child finding it difficult to transition and adjust to new parents and a new home?
Confessions of a Sorry Father
by Empowered to Connect
Although it's normal for you to make mistakes as a father, put your hope in God. By God's Spirit you can be empowered to become the kind of father you long to be.
Connecting
by Empowered to Connect
How well do you connect with your child? A married couple shares valuable information to help you connect with the children you've adopted.
55:48
Creating a Healthy Adoption Culture in Your Church
by Empowered to Connect
Dr. Karyn Purvis explains why the church should create a culture of healing, acceptance, and unconditional love.
03:49
Creative Ways to Help Your Child Learn New Behaviors
by Empowered to Connect
Do you engage, empower, and connect with your child? Teach your child to learn in creative ways! Dr. Karyn Purvis explains.
03:38
Defining Success And Failure As a Foster Parent
by Jason Johnson
Give yourself some grace and redefine failure. You don't have to be perfect parents to be perfect foster parents.
Discipline: Getting to the Heart of the Matter
by Empowered to Connect
What is the heart of the matter for effective discipline? Michael and Amy Monroe share their journey of parenting to help you wrestle through common questions.
51:47
Do I Have to Tell My Child That?
by Empowered to Connect
Your children need you to join them in their adoption story and help them discover who they are! Michael and Amy Monroe help you pinpoint what you need to share with your children.
56:48
Don't Embarrass Me
by Empowered to Connect
Whether it’s a meltdown at the grocery store or a display of defiance at church, do you find yourself thinking about what other people are thinking instead of what your children need?
Educating Others to Help Your Child
by Empowered to Connect
Do you know how to educate other caregivers, leaders, and teachers on how to support the needs of your adopted child?
04:35
Effective Ways to Deal with Sleep Issues
by Empowered to Connect
Dr. Karyn Purvis encourages you to meet the needs of your child to solve the problem of sleep disruption.
06:23
Embracing the Grief of Adoption
by Empowered to Connect
Michael saw through his son’s tears and heard in his words the deep, heartbreaking grief that lurks in the shadows of adoption. Learn from his story and find meaning in grief.
Engaging Food Battles with Connection in Mind
by Empowered to Connect
Many children from "hard places" were malnourished before we adopted them. We should earn the trust of our children by refusing to engage in food battles.
06:12
Expectations
by Empowered to Connect
We didn’t save our kids, and we should not expect their gratitude. Why? Because it is an unreasonable burden to place upon them.
Finding a Place to Start
by Empowered to Connect
Dr. Karyn Purvis knows what it's like to experience tremendous grief over a child whose in foster care. She encourages you to find a bridge of safety to connect with your child.
03:26
Finding Beauty in the Mess
by Heather Avis
So often we trip over our hopes and desires, only to fall into the messes we’ve been avoiding all along. Sometimes, however, we find God’s goodness in the very mess we hoped to avoid.
