This past weekend, Peter and I (and Peter's parents, who are also adoptive parents) had the opportunity to attend a wonderful conference up in Seattle! The Refresh Conference for adoptive parents. It was a really great time to learn some new tools and just enjoy a few nights away with Peter! So far I have had the wonderful opportunity to attend women's adoption retreats but it was so great to get to learn right alongside my husband instead of having to try and take home information to him!
We started our weekend off with an all day intensive work shop from Empowered to Connect with Michael and Amy Monroe. If I can offer one word of advice to a family in process it would be to #1 - read The Connected Child and #2 - Find an Empowered to Connect Conference and GO!
So our first day was spent going over Parenting that Connects and Corrects. It's all information I have heard before, but man I needed a refresher and every time I hear it, I glean a few new techniques to bring home and implement. Even if you aren't an adoptive parent, this Connecting while Correcting stuff works great!
After our first day work shop we spent the next 2 days at the actual conference. It was a really great time spent with 1000 other adoptive parents!
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| Photo Cred Refresh |
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| Photo Cred Refresh |
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| Photo Cred Refresh |
Peter caught not just 1, but 2 prize balls (he only kept 1)! That was an added blessing to the weekend!
We got to hear from some incredible speakers, including Jennie Allen, Stephanie Fast, Dan and Terri Coley, Deborah Gray, and Dr Randy Stinson!
There were also countless breakouts to choose from. We took workshops on:
How to tell your kids their adoption stories
Raising a Transracial Family
Communicating with Bio Parents
Trauma Triggers
African American Hair Care
All in all, it was a truly wonderful time and I highly recommend to any of my adoptive or foster care friends residing in the Northwest to save the date and go next year!
And because who doesn't love homework, I came home with a massive reading list that I need to check out. Thought it was worth sharing and maybe will come back with some book reviews down the road:
The Connected Child
Anatomy of the Soul
The Mystery of Risk
The Whole Brain Child
The Out of Sync Child
Nurturing Adoptions
Attaching in Adoption
Telling the Truth to your Adopted or Foster Child
Talking with Young Children About Adoption
Real Parents, Real Children
Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew
Raising Adopted Children
I'm Chocolate, You're Vanilla
Chocolate Hair, Vanilla Care
And A Recommendation for kids:
W.I.S.E UP! Powerbook (Adoption and Foster Care versions)
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