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Mary regularly presents workshops and training for parents, teachers, support
group meetings, and adoption conferences. Here's a comment from a parent who
recently attended Divided Loyalties:
"Thanks also for sharing things about your own adoption in your
presentation. It helps so much to hear from the adoptee's point of view
as so many of us don't have any idea what it would be like. Seems to be
a lifelong process of learning., etc."
The following is a list of some of
Mary's presentations. Contact Mary if you want
more information on pricing and availability.
Workshops for Parents |
Workshops for Teachers and Counselors |
Presentations
Workshop for
Parents
Your Child's Love/Hate Relationship with Adoption
This half-day workshop focuses on how children feel about adoption at different
stages as they grow up. Issues that apply to all age groups are explored briefly,
and then each age group is treated separately. Activities and discussion make
this a lively and informative workshop.
Divided Loyalties in Adoption
Every
person’s journey through adoption is different. But those of us who were adopted
do share many similar thoughts and feelings. As we grow up, our sense of self
emerges, shaped consciously or unconsciously by our “adoptedness.” This workshop
focuses on how our loyalties are divided between the adoptive family and birth
family at different ages, and how that shapes our sense of self.
Replacing Stuart Little
Adoption related triggers are situations or events that can
create emotional turmoil for a child who was adopted. Many times these triggers
occur at school. Watching the movie Stuart Little, creating a Mother’s Day card,
celebrating “My Special Day,” and making a family tree are just a few
school-related adoption triggers. In this workshop, you’ll learn some
alternatives to problematic assignments that you can take home and present to
your child’s teacher.
Workshop for
Teachers, Counselors and Other Professionals
The Puzzle of Identity
Approximately half of the children in any given classroom do not live with both
their biological parents. This impacts their sense of self and how they answer
the question, "Who Am I?" This workshop explores the issues
that are faced by many children, particularly those who have joined their families
through adoption, and children in foster care. Topics include:
- Grief and loss
- Identity and self-esteem
- Attachment and bonding
School Activities that Can Hurt
Various
events and activities trigger anxiety, sadness and emotional turmoil in children
who have been adopted. Mother’s Day, birthdays, drawing or writing about the
family are just a few of the more problematic triggers. This interactive
workshop focuses on how to alter activities so they include all children.
Presentations
Suitable for support group meetings, adoption conferences, teacher inservices,
etc.
Are Those Kids Yours?
- Why people ask stupid questions
- What do I say to family and friends?
- How do I answer questions from strangers?
- How can I help my child anticipate and respond to questions?
- Educating people about adoption: Is it my job?
I Don't Want to Go to School Today
- School activities and assignments that can bring up adoption issues
- Alternatives to the family tree and other assignments
- Talking with teachers about adoption
- Helping your child work through the issues
He Never Asks: Creating Opportunities to Talk about Adoption
- How children deal with adoption questions
- Talking about adoption: from birth to adolescence
- Just like talking about sex: Using books and videos to help
Crossing Borders: Issues in Transracial/Transcultural Adoption
- The impact on how the child feels about himself/herself
- The child's interaction with the adopted community
- Being a minority family
- Dealing with discrimination
Lighting a Fire under Adoptive Parent Support Groups
- Ideas for revitalizing your support group
- Getting new members
- Becoming a champion
- Starting an online support group
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