What’s the magic word? Well, truth be told, there isn’t one. Sure, “please” and “thank you” are magic words that might get you what you want, but when it comes to parents trying to convince their adopted children that they will never leave, there is no magic word. Parents try to tell their children, “I…
Read MoreAll articles filed in Tracy Dee Whitt
Supporting adoptive and foster families and families living with autism.
make this school year exceptional (adoption/foster)
This article originally appeared in Adoption Today magazine. Make This School Year Exceptional by Tracy Dee Whitt The kids have enjoyed swinging, swimming pools, sidewalk chalk, and scrumptious mud pies, but now it’s time to think about school. Some kids are excited about the new year and some are wary and worried. My daughter, Payton,…
Read Morestaying calm in the midst of a storm
Panic. Powerless. Frightened. These are a few of the reactions we can have when a major storm hits. This summer we had a vacation from somewhere down under (you can read more about it here), and part of that getaway included a tornado warning after a week of complete chaos and stress. I had never…
Read Morewhat level are you on? (adoption/foster)
My heart breaks when I hear of children who’ve been abandoned by families because they did not fit the mold they were expected to fall into. Families are falling apart because of the stress that has culminated due to a child that has attachment issues. The entire family suffers, and so does the child who…
Read Morethe fascination with adoption
I see them at the grocery store or restaurant, and I’m fairly certain they’ve adopted because they are Caucasian and they have Asian children or African children. I want to invite them to our adoption group, but I’m afraid to say anything for fear of offending. Do I ask if they adopted? Of course they…
Read MoreAdoption Today August 2013
My most recent article “Make This School Year Exceptional” is in the August issue of Adoption Today. There is always other great content available in this magazine. Be sure to check it out! Hope your school year goes well! ~Tracy Dee Whitt
Read Moreconnecting with compassion (adoption/foster)
This article originally appeared in Adoption Today’s June 2013 issue. Connecting with Compassion by Tracy Dee Whitt A few years ago, while my son was still in foster care, a social worker visited our home. During her short stay, my daughter, Payton, sat on my lap, we were singing “Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes,”…
Read Moreno really, good night (sleep issues: part 2) – (adoption/foster)
There seem to be many common themes among adopted children, and one of those is sleep issues. When I wrote about why children have sleep issues on Friday, it received the most views of all my posts this month, and I believe this is because many adopted children have difficulty falling and staying asleep. In this…
Read Morewhy “good nights” are illusive (sleep issues: part 1) – (adoption/foster)
A big obstacle adoptive parents face is their child’s lack of sleep. Many adopted children have a difficult time falling and staying asleep. Sleep issues can wreak havoc on the whole family, and when everyone’s tired, everyone’s grouchy (at least in our family, I’m sure that’s not the case for yours. Insert smiley face.) Although…
Read Moretackle one behavior at a time
Do the dishes, pick up the house, make breakfast, send the kids off to school, go to work, take a child to soccer practice, make dinner, call Grandma, read a book to the kids, put the kids in bed, wash dishes, try to relax, fall into bed. Repeat. That doesn’t cover half of it right?…
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lovin' adoptin' & autism 