ADOPTION STRUGGLES AND SUPPORT | Adoption, Adoption Trauma, Adoptive Parents, Biblical Encouragement, Journaling, Parenting

55 – Anxious Adoptive Parent? Why You Need to Accept and Embrace Your Anxiety

Hi Neighbor!
This episode of Anchors of Encouragement is going to sound a little different than what you're accustomed to hearing on this podcast because today I'm the one being interviewed.
My neighbor from Hawaii, Dr. Lisa Hartwell who was on Episode 50, interviews me for her podcast Anxiety Ease.
As I shared my adoption journey with Dr. Hartwell’s audience, she helped me frame my story from the perspective of the anxiety that myself and my wife we're going through as we were navigating the challenges of adoption.
You’ll hear the mistakes I made as well as the things we did to lessen the anxiety we were feeling.
I want to encourage you to listen carefully because Dr. Hartwell is going to reveal the antidote to anxiety.
I pray this interview blesses you.
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim
P.S. If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Thanks!

54 – Remember! 3 Ways It Can Help You Ease Uneasiness, Anxiousness, and Grief

Early this morning I wrote this line in my journal. My mind is still in a fog from yesterday. A few moments later, I wrote this, nothing is flowing this morning. The brain fog from yesterday is very real. Soon I realized what was actually going on. Today is March 2nd!
Hi Neighbor!
In this episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I share a personal story about a tragic event that happened in my community many years ago. Just thinking about it, makes me feel uneasy and anxious. Grief doesn’t go away. What did I do?
I chose to remember!
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
Tim
P.S. If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Here is a brief video to show you how.
Thanks Neighbor!

53 – Want to Resolve Conflict? Empower Your Adopted Child With This Simple Tool with Erich Nelson

As an adoptive parent, the way you were parented may or may not be the best approach in parenting your adopted child.
Hi Neighbor!
When what you’re doing as a parent IS NOT working, how do you flip the script and approach parenting differently?
 
In this episode of Anchors of Encouragement, one of the individuals who helped my son Jonny navigate the challenges of residential treatment joins the show.
 
My neighbor Erich Nelson shares a script that adoptive parents can use to de-escalate a volatile situation by empowering their children.
 
Grab a pen and paper. This is definitely an episode for which you’ll want to take notes.
 
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ Tim
 
Follow Erich’s The DoLifeBig Project
P.S. If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Here’s how.
Please consider telling a friend about the show.
You can also connect with me on my free and private Facebook Group: Anchors of Encouragement
 
Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Always consult your healthcare provider with your health questions and concerns.

52 – 14 Easy Ways You Can Make Reflection a Profitable Use of Your Time

“As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person.” Proverbs 27:19What story does reflection time reveal about your heart?
Hi Neighbor!
Do you permit yourself time for reflection, time to sit back and absorb situations, events, and even decisions you’ve made? In this episode, consider with me the topic of reflection forwards and backwards.
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim
P.S. I hope you’ll consider leaving a review of the podcast. This short video will show you how. Thanks, Neighbor!
 

51 – How a Cartoonist and a Baseball Hat Saved My Life? Really!

Ladies and Gentlemen: The story you are about to hear is true. No names have been changed to protect the innocent since the innocent victim was ME!
Hi Neighbor!
In this episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I share the harrowing story of how a cartoonist and a baseball hat saved my life.
Please try not to laugh too hard at me!
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
Tim 
P.S. Did you listen to the entire episode? Are you sure?
Please consider joining our Facebook community.
And please consider leaving a review of the podcast. This short video will show you how. Thanks, Neighbor!

50 – How to Understand Grief In Your Adopted Children and How To Love Them with Dr. Lisa Hartwell

Imagine a heart that has a hole in it. Now imagine grief falling through that hole. That’s the reality for some adopted children.
Hi Neighbor!
My goal on this podcast is to share with you my understanding of Biblical principles and how they can be applied to the adoption journey.
I’m a firm believer in the Bible and what it can do for a person.
I also believe in the Great Physician. But some of the challenges that the adoption journey presents to parents like myself aren't necessarily found in the book.
And even the Great Physician said, “those who are sick need to go to a doctor.”
So today, I'm bringing a doctor to talk about some of the challenges that adoptive parents face. Challenges that I have raised on this podcast.
She is my neighbor from Hawaii, Dr. Lisa Hartwell.
Dr. Hartwell is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety assessment and treatment. She is also a coach specializing in high-functioning anxiety.
Oh, and she just happens to be an adoptive Mom too.
Dr. Hartwell will speak to us about adoption challenges from a clinical point of view.
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim 
P.S. If you found the information in this episode helpful, please share the podcast with a friend. Thanks, Neighbor!
Get Dr. Hartwell’s FREE Anxiety Assessment and connect with her on her website.
Disclaimer: As I said, Dr. Hartwell is a licensed professional. However, on this podcast, she is not providing therapy or medical treatment. The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Always consult your healthcare provider with your health questions and concerns.
 

49 – Life Can Be Messy! 5 Ways To Consider MESSY In a Positive Way?

Are you a struggling adoptive parent?
Hi Neighbor!
Life can be… well, messy at times! The adoption journey can have extreme highs and lows. And it can be messy. How can adoptive parents navigate the messy?
In this episode, consider with me 5 ways to reframe how to look at messy in order to make MESSY a word to be embraced and celebrated. 
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim
P.S. If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. I recorded a quick video to show how.
Please consider connecting with me in my free and private Facebook Group: Anchors of Encouragement We can hold space for each other.
 

48 – It’s Easy to Control Tomorrow But Only if You Do This ONE Thing Today?

Hi Neighbor!
Can you REALLY control tomorrow? I believe you can. 
In this episode, I’ll share how. And I’ll also share 5 ways tomorrow WILL control you today IF you allow it.
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim
P.S. If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. I’ve recorded a short video to show you how. Thanks!
 

47 – How Journaling Helped My Son Like Himself Again with Jonny Maudlin

After you journal for a certain amount of time, you get into that comfortable practice with it, it starts to become your natural release. 
Hi Neighbor!
Today, my son Jonny is joining us again. He was first on the show in Episode 14 to talk about a tool he learned in residential treatment called 10-10-10. It’s a great tool for anyone to use to help them think before they act.
In this episode of Anchors of Encouragement, Jonny is going to share his perspective on another tool he learned from his time away from us. It’s a tool that helped him to like himself again.
Neither one of us are therapists. We are presenting our personal observations and experiences with you. This episode is intended for educational purposes only.
I want to encourage you to grab a pen and paper and let's dig into the topic of journaling.
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim
P.S. If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. I recorded a quick video to show you how. Thanks so much!

46 – Sit in Solitude and Silence? The Benefits of Leading a Quiet Life

It’s something worth aspiring to.
Hi Neighbor!
In this unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I want to encourage you to make time to Sit in Solitude and Silence. And consider why monotony isn’t all that bad.
Hope and Healing are on the way.
Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Tim
P.S. If you missed Episode 22 – Too Much Noise In Your Life? 5 Ways To Neutralize Noise Today, you can catch it at this LINK.