Posts by Bethany Briley
Understanding Developmental Milestones
Every child grows at their own pace, but there are markers along the way that help us understand how they’re developing. Known as developmental milestones, these are the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive skills children typically achieve as they grow. Yet for children who have experienced early adversity, such as trauma, neglect, or loss, these…
Read MoreShow Hope Trends in Adoption Aid
For nearly 23 years, Show Hope has been reducing the financial barrier to adoption through our cornerstone work, Adoption Aid grants. To date, more than 9,500 children have been impacted by an Adoption Aid grant—children from more than 60 countries, including the U.S. In our last fiscal year, which ended on June 30, Show Hope…
Read MoreWhat Can Students Do Practically
For more than 15 years, Show Hope has equipped and mobilized more than 23,500 students on college campuses, in middle and high school classrooms, and through youth ministries at churches across the U.S. Show Hope Co-founder Steven Curtis Chapman once said, “We’ve all heard it said, ‘Students are the leaders of tomorrow,’ or ‘Children are…
Read MoreA Sacred Calling: Show Hope’s Work in Advocacy by Mary Beth Chapman
Some of you may not know, but Show Hope does some amazing advocacy work on behalf of children and families. With our mission to care for orphans by engaging the Church and reducing barriers to adoption, we have found ourselves invited into rooms and conversations we never could have imagined—rooms where the needs of vulnerable…
Read More6 Tips for Sensory-Avoiding Needs
Sensory avoiding is when a child or teen is hypersensitive to sensory input from the five primary senses or three “hidden” senses proprioception, vestibular, and interoception. To the untrained eye, a child who is exhibiting sensory-avoiding behavior may seem defiant—plugging his or her ears, closing his or her eyes, or running away. But Trust-Based Relational…
Read MoreHow We Share About Children and Their Medical Needs
Whether you are a parent or caregiver impacted by adoption and/or foster care, a church leader or a professional in the child welfare space, or an advocate for children who are vulnerable, we have the opportunity to inspire and educate the larger population with the words and images we choose to describe children. In those…
Read MoreShow Hope Book Club: Gentle and Lowly
Gentle and Lowly “‘Gentle and Lowly’ gave me a clearer, more tangible picture of Christ’s heart toward me,” Show Hope Director of Development Emily Schafer said. “It helped me to debunk my interest in ‘earning’ the grace of Jesus and instead help me to rest in his gentle and loving embrace of me. It’s a…
Read MoreHow Sensory Seeking Can Lead to Connection
Spinning, jumping, and swinging. Bear hugs and loud environments. Wiggles and squirming. These are just some sensory-seeking behaviors common in children and teens—not your child acting out or being unruly and disrespectful. Sensory seeking is when a child seeks out and even craves sensory input. Unlike children who are sensory avoidant—often overwhelmed by input—children who…
Read MoreLove Really Does Take You In: A Letter From Mary Beth …
Dear Care Centers Legacy Families, After our recent weekend together, I was completely undone in the best and most beautiful way possible. Steven and I were so excited to finally host the first Show Hope Care Centers Legacy Reunion since 2019, and I’m not sure I can fully put into words what I experienced getting…
Read MoreHaving Age-Appropriate Conversations With Your Kids About Health
No matter what age your children are, you can always talk with them about their bodies and how it works. Try to have these conversations on a regular basis, maybe even planning a conversation around the time of your child’s yearly check-up. Also, remember to reassure your child that he or she can talk to…
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