Raising Grace Sheila K Chester

Lori Holden, a veteran parent of two young young adults, writes at LavenderLuz.com and hosts the podcast Adoption: The Long View. She’s the author of the acclaimed book The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption (recommended by People magazine in 2021), written with her daughter’s birth mom. Her book is featured on adoption-agency required-reading lists across the country. She has keynoted and presented at adoption conferences around the US and Canada, and she is available to coach families through tricky adoption situations. In 2018, she was honored as an Angel in Adoption® by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Her new book, Adoption Unfiltered, co-written with adoptee Sara Easterly and birth mom Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard, will be available in late 2023. Lori and her family live in Denver, CO.  


 

Viviana Colelli is a multi-talented individual with a passion for photography and education. As a mother of two young children, Viviana balances her role as a parent while pursuing her career. With a loving husband by her side for the past decade, she finds joy in nurturing her family and cultivating a strong bond. Viviana's versatile skills have led her to teach photography at a college level, sharing her expertise and enthusiasm with aspiring photographers. This new opportunity has sparked excitement in her life, motivating her to continue honing her craft. But Viviana's ambitions don't end there. She is also embarking on a new venture as the host of a podcast tailored to immigrant mothers. Through her podcast, she aims to address the challenges faced by these mothers in connecting with their true selves while simultaneously managing the demands of raising children. Originally from Colombia, Viviana takes pride in her cultural heritage. This Colombian-born mother, photographer, educator, and podcast host is determined to make a positive impact in the lives of immigrant mothers and beyond.

Janell opens up about her journey as a parent and her experiences raising a child with a chronic illness. She shares the challenges and emotions that come with parenting a child with cancer, as well as the strength and resilience she has found through her faith in God. She bravely discusses her own battles with mental health and how she has navigated the ups and downs of life while being a caretaker for her children. Through heartfelt storytelling and vulnerability, Janell imparts her wisdom and insights on how to find hope, acceptance, and joy in the face of adversity. She reminds us that there is no manual for parenting a child with a chronic disease, but by doing the best we can with the information we have, we can create a loving and supportive environment for our children. Join us as we dive deep into topics such as parenting, faith, mental health, and finding purpose in the midst of challenging circumstances. This episode is filled with touching anecdotes, relatable experiences, and a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles.

On this episode of Raising Grace Podcast, we have the privilege of speaking with Gabrielle Crichlow, the owner and director of A Step Ahead Tutoring Services. Gabrielle shares her journey from Trinidad and Tobago to the United States, and how her experiences in the American education system shaped her perspective on school. Gabrielle discusses the differences she noticed between the American and Trinidadian education systems, from date formats to spelling variations. She opens up about her parents' generation, who view school as simpler back in their day, and the challenges they perceive in today's education system. School-related issues, such as low self-esteem, anger, and yelling from parents, are plaguing many students. As an educator and tutor, Gabrielle's role is to help students navigate these challenges and understand the importance of education. While she acknowledges that not all students will love school, she teaches them to view it as important and helps them set and achieve their own goals. By understanding students' motivations and creating personalized strategies, Gabrielle supports students in their educational journey. Gabrielle emphasizes the impact of outside factors on a student's attitude towards education, such as family dynamics, social influences, and health. She believes in meeting students where they are and fostering an environment of love, grace, and patience. Using creative and fun methods, like incorporating videos and games, can help motivate kids to engage with homework. Finding a balance between being strict and flexible, Gabrielle encourages parents and educators to understand kids' motivations and create middle ground solutions, like allocating time for video games in exchange for completing homework. By meeting kids in their own space and understanding their motivations, we can create a better engagement with homework and ultimately support their overall well-being. Join us on this insightful episode of Raising Grace Podcast as we dive deep into understanding the challenges students face in their educational journey and how we can support them to achieve their goals.


 


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In this episode, we will hear from Cheryl, a foster and adoptive parent who has dedicated her life to helping children in need of stability and care. From overcoming personal health challenges while taking care of her special needs children, to navigating the complexities of the foster care system, Cheryl has experienced it all. Along the way, she has learned valuable lessons about giving herself grace and supporting the emotional needs of the children in her care. Join us as Cheryl shares her inspiring journey and provides insights into the realities of foster care and adoption. 

On this episode, Sandra Cooze shares her perspectives on parenting, overcoming trauma, and rebuilding relationships. She discusses how she and her husband teach their son about honesty and owning up to mistakes. Additionally, Sandra talks about bullying, both her experience and her son’s, sharing the importance of focusing on being with the child and handling trauma with a professional. She also speaks about how to deal with trauma triggers, breaking down past troubling experiences, and rebuilding trust. Overall, this episode offers a lot of helpful and useful information on overcoming trauma and parenting with understanding, compassion, and love.