Setting Boundaries Without Losing Compassion
Key Takeaways Boundaries protect your well-being while allowing you to show up fully for others. Saying no with kindness helps create mutual respect and prevents burnout. Clear, confident communication makes boundary-setting easier. Letting go of guilt is essential for maintaining balance and self-care. Strong Boundaries, Stronger Relationships Setting boundaries can be challenging, especially if you […]
How to Help Children Feel Valued and Build Confidence
When We Value Something, We Hold Space For It. What We Treasure, We Esteem. To be valued is to know, deep in your core, that you matter—not for what you do, but for who you are. It’s the assurance that you are worthy of love and care. For children who have experienced the trauma of […]
Understanding Childhood Sexual Development: A Shame-Free Guide for Parents
“Is This Normal?” It’s a question parents ask in mom groups, on social media, and in whispered conversations with everyone from grandmas to pediatricians. We all wonder if our kids are meeting appropriate milestones, staying on target with their peers, and are just “normal” (if that’s even a thing!). But that question feels much more […]
From Bathtime to Big Talks: Everyday Ways to Teach Kids About Their Bodies
Key Takeaways Ongoing Conversations Matter: Instead of one big talk, have small, ongoing discussions about bodies and boundaries to help your child learn gradually. Follow Their Lead: When kids ask questions, respond by understanding their curiosity first, and keep your answers simple and age-appropriate. Create a Safe Space: Use proper terms for body parts, admit […]
More than Words: How Listening Builds Connection
For Children with Trauma Histories, Being Heard is Critical. Many have never been given a voice in decisions that affect them. If they have experienced neglect, they receive a clear message: no one listens. Over time, they may stop expressing themselves altogether. Internalizing emotions to avoid rejection can lead to fear and anxiety. Drawing out […]
Eyes to See: True Presence is the Beginning of Connection
Last month, I introduced the Circle of Connection framework. You can catch up here. The Circle of Connection—being seen, heard, valued, and known—is a blueprint to bring healing to the broken places of our stories. Children with hard histories of trauma are often mired in shame. They have internalized messages like, “I have to take […]
Leaping into 2025: Embracing Change with Confidence and Trust
Key Takeaways Trust in Support: We can lean on those around us (friends, family, community members, or Chosen) for support when facing challenges or unknowns. Perseverance Through Fear: Fear is natural, but it doesn’t have to stop us. We can move forward with excitement and anticipation, knowing it’s part of growth. Generational Life’s Journey is […]
Walking with Biological Families – How Adoption and Foster Care Changed Me for Good
Key Takeaways Proximity fosters understanding: Getting closer to someone’s story shifts judgment into compassion and changes the way we see ourselves and others. Uncomfortable isn’t unsafe: Stepping into unfamiliar or challenging situations can be a path to deeper connection and healing for both children and their biological families. True change costs more than money: Generational […]
Listening to the Adoptee’s Voice – Creating Space for Hard Truths This Adoption Awareness Month
Key Takeaways Adoptees deserve the full ownership of their stories, with all the complexities and truths they contain. Love alone can’t erase the unique pain of relinquishment, but supporting adoptees’ connections to their origins strengthens the family bond. Creating space for adoptees’ questions and feelings—no matter how hard—builds trust, healing, and connection. “I wish I […]
How Connection Heals – Navigating the Beauty and Complexity of Adoption
Key Takeaways Adoption is a beautiful journey but often begins with loss, impacting a child’s emotional experience. Loss of connection to biological families can lead to unresolved trauma that manifests in different stages of life. At Chosen, relational connection is key to healing and helping children thrive, and that’s why we provide tools and support […]
Caring for the Caregivers: Combatting Compassion Fatigue
Key Takeaways Compassion Fatigue Awareness: Social workers and caregivers must recognize the signs of compassion fatigue, which can jeopardize their well-being and the quality of care they provide. Prioritizing Self-Care: By prioritizing self-care practices such as body awareness and seeking support, individuals can build resilience and mitigate the effects of compassion fatigue. Organizational Support Matters: […]
Celebrating Black Hair: Empowering Beauty and Resilience
Key Takeaways Black hair symbolizes resilience and empowerment: From the depths of historical oppression to the forefront of self-expression, Black hair stands as a testament to strength and pride. The CROWN Act champions hair equality: Enacted in multiple states, this legislation combats discrimination based on hair texture or style, fostering a more inclusive society. Moisture […]
