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Jo Romano
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I coach single and coupled men and women wanabe parents before, during, and after adoption.
My mission is to improve the lives of parents, children and all touched by adoption.
Coaching promotes awareness, self-reflection, goal planning and taking action. It helps to identify myths about adoption and parenting – domestically and internationally.
My clients explore their values, attitudes, celebrate in their strengths and desires and build upon their understanding and skills to create personal attributes within themselves and conditions within their family that promote the well being of their child, family and support circle.
There is more to the adoption process than having to think and make decisions about financing, paperwork, legalities, and the social work process of getting a home study. Many do not stop to consider the emotional side of adoption preparation before, during and after your child arrives home. Being emotionally ready is essential to your future relationship with your child and ultimately how your child will feel about herself.
Coaching helps you learn more about you, your emotional readiness and the strategies to get there.
Adoption is different than parenting a biological child. It involves an additional layer of self-awareness and skills. It may call you to let go of some ideas, patterns, habits and beliefs about what you thought having a child and parenting would be like and embrace new ideas.
During the adoption process you may experience a myriad of feelings of frustration, sorrow, confusion, elation, sadness, fear anxiety, hope and uncertainty about what steps to take.
No matter were you are in the thinking and doing of bringing a child into your heart and family, you can make progress toward being emotionally ready and embrace the wonderful, triumphant world of adoption.
Let me light my lamp and never debate the darkness. R. Tagore
My beginning story
I have faced all of the decisions many adoptive parents need to make. I did it as a single parent without a lot of support from my family. I felt the whole gamut of emotions from exhilaration, total happiness to fears and what if my child is sick? How will my child of color be received in a predominately white community. Right down to
"Can I really do this"?
I've never parented before. How will I keep not only a life and work balance, but also a balance for my child and new family.
I had little support from my family and I was alone in the whole idea of adopting and going it alone as a single parent. All my friends were married and having babies. It was always my dream too until I shockingly found myself infertile and divorced all in the same year. The RESOLVE about changing my thoughts, beliefs and hopes about having a family was a sacred and lonely journey. It was like living through "the dark night of the soul".
But, ya know, every single minute in that process was worth it because throughout it all, I was self aware enough to feel and see a crystal clearly river of water flowing through my body.
Fear, uncertainty, confusion, sadness, the what if's and the shoulds were on the banks of my river screaming at me trying to distract me from my dream, my heart desire.
This flow of cold fresh sparking water was my truth. The water was flowing which was telling me every minute of the way that this was the right choice and a GIFT for me to receive. None of those gremlins sitting on the banks of my river ever entered or crossed it. My inner wisdom, told me this is good. Receive this gift, have your dream, be happy, you are good enough and that it's okay to share my life with children and raise a family.
So I continued on my path to create a house of love and care to hold me and my two children. In l986 and l989, Natessa and Jaimen, arrived home from their birthplace, Calcutta, India.
In their eyes I saw the hope that any dream is possible if you really want it and are willing to receive it.
Adoption Means Love, A Triumph of the Heart
Read my story in this beautiful book of treasured stories from parents about their adoption experiences
Here are a few areas where adoptive parents want to learn more.
Before, during and after the adoption process
Look at the ins and outs, pros and cons, of domestic and international adoption including the paper chase, healthy infant, child vs. special needs and older child adoptions, travel, post adoption issues and resources.
Adoption and the Single Parent
Single parents by choice have a special road to travel with all of the joys of family life.
Gay Parents and Parenting Children of Color
Exploring the stigma of adoption and being parents of children of color
Impact of Trauma on Development
A child's brain makes incredible advances, forming an abundance of primary connections critical for future growth. Know how trauma, abuse and neglect impact a chill's overall development with emphasis on bonding, behavior, cognitive skills and emotional health.
Medical and Developmental Issues of Internationally adopted Children
Be informed about specialized healthcare issues and development impact of institutionalization for internally adopted children from orphanages. (See Handbook for international Adoption Medicine: A guide for Physicians, Parents and providers, by Laurie, miller, MD Director of int. adoption Clinic a the NE Medical Center.)
The Power of Rituals and Stories
Adoptive parents find that use of rituals and stories has a positive impact on feelings of family connectedness. Explore ways these can be incorporated into family life from infancy through adolescence. (Vt Adoption Consortium Lending library)
Birth family and cultural Connections
Explore other adoptive parents experiences and choices to connect or not to connect with biological parents and how to honor the child's native culture.
Adoption and school years
Improve understanding on how adoption and related issues impacts a child's school success and ability to learn and grow socially.
Investing in your most valuable asset – YOU!
I offer a complimentary conditional consultation where I coach you for 30 minutes so you can experience coaching first hand. At the end of the 30 minutes we’ll stop where we are and I’ll ask you if you have received value and if you want to hire me as your coach. If you say yes, we continue and set up a schedule. If you say, “no thanks”, then we say goodbye, part as friends, and I sincerely wish you well in your journey.
Questions? Are you interested in a complimentary conditional consultation?
Please fill in the form below:
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Please call me at 802 229-5256 or e-mail me at jo@greenmountainlifecoach.com for a free conditional consultation and experience coaching first hand and find out whether we are a match for each other.