PRICELESS | Establishing parenting skills that enhance your adopted child’s self-acceptance.
CHALLENGES | Clarity – Authenticity – Legacy
ABOUT YOU
We are proceeding with a foster-adopt solution – we have a plan; have seen a therapist, and we are working on our issues.
You have made a great deal of progress, and I commend your efforts. You have done the work to move forward and prepare your home for a child. The hard part occurs with daily operations and implementing what you have learned. A coach can work with your therapist to secure a plan to help you discover how to follow through with therapy recommendations. Additionally, a coach can work with your family to improve communication and interaction while working to identify each member’s best talents, skills, and methods to develop awareness. The tools the coach brings may also help the adoptee as we create awareness around their identity and facilitate a smoother transition. How will you implement change?
The role of a coach/consultant differs from these two professionals because we facilitate communication in your marriage. We help identify unrealistic expectation and create opportunities for healthy dialogue to prepare your home for your adopted child. We are also readily available to interact with you, as needed throughout pre/post-adoption; when other services have terminated. Whom do you discuss those problems with when they wake you in the middle of the night?
I don’t need another professional; my attorney and social worker are providing excellent support.
While it is true that these two professionals are an essential aspect of adoption, you cannot go into probate court without an attorney to obtain a judgment, and your home study required a social worker to obtain certification.
The role of a coach/consultant differs from these two professionals because we facilitate communication in your marriage. We help identify unrealistic expectation and create opportunities for healthy dialogue to prepare your home for your adopted child. We are also readily available to interact with you, as needed throughout pre/post-adoption; when other services have terminated. Whom do you discuss those problems with when they wake you in the middle of the night?
We are on our final step and only must now wait for a birth family to select us.
Congratulations! Now the wait begins — what a fantastic opportunity to work on empowering your marriage in preparation for the new arrival. We can work to strengthen your marriage through assessments and coaching during a group class where you will meet other potential parents who have similar interests. How do you plan to work out all the kinks?
The role of a coach/consultant differs from these two professionals because we facilitate communication in your marriage. We help identify unrealistic expectation and create opportunities for healthy dialogue to prepare your home for your adopted child. We are also readily available to interact with you, as needed throughout pre/post-adoption; when other services have terminated. Whom do you discuss those problems with when they wake you in the middle of the night?
I have children and have raised them before, and I understand all aspects of parenting.
You have probably done an excellent job. Knowing how challenging the role of parenting can be, you deserve congratulations for all your excellent work. Raising an adoptee is not the same as nurturing a biological child, and their needs and expectations differ from a child you have raised biologically. Many studies and observations have been made to describe the difference in parenting an adopted child. It remains that you don’t know what you don’t know, wouldn’t it be amazing to gain insight?
The role of a coach/consultant differs from these two professionals because we facilitate communication in your marriage. We help identify unrealistic expectation and create opportunities for healthy dialogue to prepare your home for your adopted child. We are also readily available to interact with you, as needed throughout pre/post-adoption; when other services have terminated. Whom do you discuss those problems with when they wake you in the middle of the night?
We prepared while going through infertility which carried disappointment, we know we’re ready for the next step now.
The loss of a child or the dream to have your baby can be overwhelming. Please know if you are considering adoption there’s a loss on all sides of the adoption triad. The birth mother will lose the opportunity to parent her child, and the child will develop trauma around the loss of her mother while you’re overcoming your disappointment. The decision to adopt remains a big and bold choice. You will need all types of support during this transition. How would it feel to have validation while you process?
The role of a coach/consultant differs from these two professionals because we facilitate communication in your marriage. We help identify unrealistic expectation and create opportunities for healthy dialogue to prepare your home for your adopted child. We are also readily available to interact with you, as needed throughout pre/post-adoption; when other services have terminated. Whom do you discuss those problems with when they wake you in the middle of the night?
We don’t need another “expert” guide; we have too many already.
Most adoptive parents report that the most significant piece collected while raising their child is the ability to interact with other couples who have decided to adopt. They enjoyed relating the many different obstacles they face while gaining the support they needed from families who were experiencing similar situations. Support groups help parents ferret out the best most practical solution. Wouldn’t it be a grand decision to enroll in a group setting, where you did not have to leave the comfort of your home and receive companionship?
The role of a coach/consultant differs from these two professionals because we facilitate communication in your marriage. We help identify unrealistic expectation and create opportunities for healthy dialogue to prepare your home for your adopted child. We are also readily available to interact with you, as needed throughout pre/post-adoption; when other services have terminated. Whom do you discuss those problems with when they wake you in the middle of the night?
Birth mothers love the fact that couples prepared for the transition.
In surveying birthmothers for the best characteristics of the couples that will adopt their child, they reported the features and benefits offered within the scope of the preparation tools provided by coaching, reassured their concerns. They also said that having an objective party facilitate a communication plan once the baby arrives, for visitation within their open adoption space appeared helpful. How will you move forward?
The role of a coach/consultant differs from these two professionals because we facilitate communication in your marriage. We help identify unrealistic expectation and create opportunities for healthy dialogue to prepare your home for your adopted child. We are also readily available to interact with you, as needed throughout pre/post-adoption; when other services have terminated. Whom do you discuss those problems with when they wake you in the middle of the night?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a coach?
- · You are in the driver seat – coaching is not…therapy, mentorship, or counseling.
- · International Coaching Federation (ICF) certification requires coaches to:
- Accelerates your development
- Brings hope and fosters change
- Provides a constant reminder of your identity
- Clarifies expands and effectively accelerates your vision and values
- Offers a way to process and apply current training or development initiatives
- Improves your interpersonal skills
- Secures freedom to question and explore possibilities
- Encourages holistic growth, helping areas of life balance and pace
- Gives you outside, objective feedback
- Reinforces mutual commitment
How does coaching or consulting work?
Feature: Virtual Meetups Benefit: Interactions occur through Zoom Meeting Room
Feature: Adoption Communication Expert Benefit: Effective tools and adoption support
Feature: Reunion Experienced Benefit: Support in screening adoptee relatives
Feature: Birth Parent Interaction Benefit: Coordinate a plan that’s aimable for all parties
Feature: Accountability Benefit: Tracking with your goals to facilitate achievement
Feature: Assessments Benefit: Maximize your individual talents and recognize others
What criteria limits your ability to support a potential client?
Coaches are required to provide services to individuals who display healthy mindsets and do not need therapy, counseling, or other psychotherapeutic assistance. Should we uncover such need, we will recommend the same and provide a list of potential providers.
What standards and practices?
To elicit the best in each ICF coach, ICF Members and coaches are committed to:
· Ethical behavior as the foundation of the coaching profession.
· Continued learning in the field of coaching as required.
· Search for continued self-awareness, self-monitoring, and self-improvement.
· Acting and being an ethical individual in all professional interactions.
· Full accountability for the responsibility undertaken as an ICF Member and coach.
· Complete engagement with and commitment to the coaching profession, setting an example both to the profession overall and to the community.
· Uphold the highest standards in a manner that reflects positively on the coaching profession.
· Be fully present in every interaction in which we engage.
· Recognize and abide by the applicable laws and regulations of each country, municipality, and local governing body.
· Provide a safe space for trainers, service providers, coaches, and coaches-in-training to learn, excel ethically, and strive to become professional coaches of the highest caliber.
· Embrace diversity and inclusion and value the richness of our global stakeholders.
AWESOME CLIENTS
Cindy Schmelzenbach
Sharon is a competent coach who genuinely cares about me as a client and the progress that I value. She has invited me to new perspectives while challenging me to "face the music" when that's what's needed.
She is a safe place to process, offers an invitation to new thinking, and is always quick to acknowledge and affirm my progress.
Dion
ne Roberts
When we first started working together, I needed help with low self-esteem and self-worth. In my opinion, my situation was not unique. I was looking for answers in all the wrong places. Now that I have made great leaps (with Sharon’s help) I can now say, "Thank you, for not giving me a straight answer."
The journey was not easy but well worth taking. I had to forgive myself for putting my job over my family’s needs and seek forgiveness from them. I would recommend your practice to others because you have a way of helping others see hidden areas of conflict and or unresolved issues, which in my opinion is a gift for seeing what’s not spoken.
Mary Ellen Torres
Sharon coached me regarding how I felt about re-entering the world of dating, choosing a niche for my coaching business, and about various challenges I've had in keeping my life balanced between work and non-work in the past few years.
She is a patient person, yet she asks questions that challenge me and help me see new answers for my dilemmas. Sharon is ready to rejoice over even small victories and has been a great coach and encourager for me in the past few years. I highly recommend her as a coach!
Michelle Soggs
Sharon was my coach for helping me motivate students to learn who was unmotivated. It was very helpful because I had some difficult cases.
She encouraged me to examine my tactics and think outside the box, so to speak. Her line of questioning broken down barriers and I was able to make a lot of headway. I also solicited support from other colleagues to help me implement new ideas.
I learned a lot in the process and discovered how a coach really does impact your ability to attain your goals. I am forever grateful and I would recommend her as a resource for change.
Chris Heinz
Sharon is very passionate and knowledgeable about adoption-related issues. In addition, she takes a strengths approach to parenting and tackling adoption-related issues. I really appreciate her expertise and steadiness--that's what you want when there's so much uncertainty in adoption. I heartily recommend Sharon if you're considering adoption, have started the adoption process or are post-adoption.
Adoption is Complicated.....
