Navigating Adoption with Love: Insights from Dr. Laurel Shaler | The Julia and Gino Podcast
Welcome back to the Julia and Gino Podcast! Today, we’re thrilled to have Dr. Laurel Shaler, a national certified counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, and author of “Loving Adopted Children Well: A Five Love Languages Approach,” join us for an enlightening conversation.
Welcome back to the Julia and Gino Podcast! Today, we’re thrilled to have Dr. Laurel Shaler, a national certified counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, and author of “Loving Adopted Children Well: A Five Love Languages Approach,” join us for an enlightening conversation.
In this episode, Julia and Gino Barbaro dive into the unique challenges and rewarding experiences of parenting adopted children. Dr. Shaler shares her journey from social work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to becoming a full-time professor at Liberty University. With personal insights from raising her three adopted children, she offers valuable advice on using the five love languages to nurture adopted kids.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding Adoption: Dr. Shaler’s personal story and how her experiences shaped her passion for adoption.
- Parenting Adopted Children: Insights into the unique aspects of raising adopted kids, including addressing past traumas and building trust.
- The Importance of Love Languages: How the five love languages can be applied to adopted children to meet their emotional needs.
- Challenges and Solutions: Real-life examples of overcoming difficulties in adoption and fostering a supportive environment for children.
- Impact on Marriage: Balancing the dynamics of marriage while nurturing adopted children and ensuring a unified parenting approach.
Timestamps:
- 00:00 – Intro
- 01:33 – Dr. Laurel Shaler’s background and journey into mental health and adoption
- 02:39 – The story behind her book, “Loving Adopted Children Well”
- 04:17 – Discussing the stigma and changes in adoption over the years
- 06:37 – Parenting similarities and differences for adopted children
- 08:52 – Recognizing the primal wound and adjusting parenting techniques
- 13:01 – Challenges in foster care and the importance of loving kids well
- 14:25 – Balancing love languages for biological and adopted children
- 17:50 – The crucial role of physical touch in child development
- 22:57 – The importance of being prepared for the adoption journey
- 25:13 – How family members can support adopted children
- 30:29 – Impact of adoption on marriage and strategies for couples
- 32:12 – Where to find Dr. Shaler’s book and more information
- 32:28 – Gino Wraps It Up
Resources:
- Dr. Laurel Shaler’s Website: drlaurelshaler.com
- Purchase the Book: Loving Adopted Children Well on Amazon
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- Julia and Gino Barbaro: Jake and Gino
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Listen and be inspired to change the world by loving your kids well, as Mother Teresa beautifully said.
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