Main navigation

One Thankful Mom - Lisa Qualls

Honest reflections on family, adoption, foster care, and faith.

Something New for You!

By

Do you ever feel your life is so different nobody will understand? Or do you feel judged by people who see you parenting in a less-than-conventional way? Do you wonder if you’re cut out for this life as a foster or adoptive mom? I never want you to feel alone. Next Tuesday, August 7th, marks […]

Happy News – They’re Engaged!

By

We have exciting news! Hannah is engaged to her love, David! She was completely shocked when he proposed last weekend, thinking it would be a couple more months. We were in on the surprise, so that made it extra fun for us. It’s also very special that he proposed at our family’s special place, Whidbey […]

It Takes Courage to be a Mom

By

One year ago, I would not have stood on this bridge for a picture. I have a terrible fear of heights. Staying alive is important to me. Heights set off an alert system that screams, “You’re about to die!” The problem is, this fear hinders me from adventures with my family. I would tell you the […]

10 Steps for Overcoming Sloppy Parenting Habits

By

Paying the price for sloppy parenting is no fun – for parent or child. It would be nice to say this is a theoretical situation, just a teaching moment for parents needing advice, but that’s not the case. Once again, you get to learn from my mistakes. I have issues with saying, “No.” It’s probably […]

How Does a Father Love His Daughter?

By

The farm mower was loaded in the bed of the old Dodge truck and he wore his dad’s old Carhart jacket. It was Father’s Day and he was ready to work. We stood on the front porch, holding each other close for a moment, my head resting near his heart. He loved being Kalkidan’s dad. […]

Follow on Instagram

  • If you’ve ever wondered how to help your child process frightening events, don’t miss this great interview with Robyn Gobbel. Robyn is a therapist whose clinical practice is focused exclusively on working with families of children who have experienced a history of toxic stress and complex trauma. How should we talk to our kids about scary events in the world? And what if we’re really afraid too? Robyn answers the question, “Should we fake it till you make it?” She also gives tips for calming ourselves and gives us a great example of how to help kids process traumatic events. Comment below if you would like a clickable link. #theadoptionconnection #trauma #adoption #fostercare #onethankfulmom
  • All right fellow parents, this post is honest. I wrote it a month ago and this morning couldn't be a better time to share it because I'm weary and discouraged. I'm praying, thinking, searching my mind for ideas or things I may be missing. • Therapeutic parenting is no joke; it takes a toll on us, the other kids, and our marriages. But God is with me, I know that - I just want Him to speak audibly to me because I can't seem to figure it all out. I'm asking Him for wisdom and strength. • Have you ever felt this way? • Link in profile. • #onethankfulmom #parenting #adoptivemom #theadoptionconnection #wewillnotbeshaken
  • If your family is a blend of kids by birth and adoption/foster care, or if you had an established family created by adoption and then added new children from “hard places,” don’t miss this interview with my daughter, Annarose. How do siblings in the family feel, and what do they experience, when you add children to the family through adoption or foster care? What if the new children come with lots of challenges? In this episode, I interview my daughter and middle child of eleven, Annarose, about the challenges and blessings of being a sister to kids through adoption. Comment if you want me to send you a clickable link to listen. • #theadoptionconnection #adoption #siblings #adoptionstrong
  • Dancing with my girls tonight at family camp. Such a fun weekend. • #teens #quallsfam #onethankfulmom
  • Many adoptive and foster parents have questions about how and when to talk with their kids about their stories. • What if your child’s story is really hard? Should you tell them the truth? How old should they be? • Don’t miss this interview with my mentor and friend Jayne Schooler. She is an adoptive mom, co-creator (with her husband, David) of Trauma Competent Caregiver training, and author of multiple books related to adoption and foster care. • Comment if you would like me to DM you a clickable link!
  • The night before the first day of school and these two are sitting on my bed talking. • I love teens, meaningful conversations, and laughter - these two definitely make me laugh. • Senior year for Zoe (in four months I can use her real name) and junior year for Claire. • #firstdayofschool #highschool #fostercare #fosterlove #onethankfulmom