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I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing and working with Judy M. Miller for five years. Anyone who knows Judy will always notice that everything she says and does is full of heart. Whether she is writing about adoption or personal experience, readers always get the sense that Judy has kept her intelligence firmly in touch with to her emotions and soul. Please help me welcome Judy!

Introducing Judy M. Miller

Judy M. Miller is the author of the internationally selling What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween and has penned tens of dozens of articles and essays that grace magazines and anthologies such as A Cup of Comfort for Adoptive Families, Pieces of Me: Who Do I Want to Be?, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Mom, Sensational Journeys, and Women Writing on Family. When not parenting her crew of four, she works with pre- and adoptive parents throughout and outside of the U.S. Judy also teaches her popular class Tweens, Teens & Beyond online. A sought after speaker, she has presented at numerous symposia and appeared on radio about parenting children who have been adopted. Learn more about Judy at www.judymmiller.com.

Learn about What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween

Research supports just how important it is for parents to understand the issues inherent in adoption. Adopting parents should be familiar with tools they can use to help their children navigate what they are feeling, and have the confidence to put feelings into action. What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween guides parents in assisting their tweens (ages six and older) in understanding, examining and resolving adoption-related issues as they happen, and empowering their children to feel self-confident, whether parents are in the “trenches”, on the cusp, or getting ready to parent a tween down the road. What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween has been called “a reference source, workbook, psychology manual, and a very wise encouraging friend.”

What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween covers:

• The complex issues inherent in adoption that parents may or may not be aware of and how they can manifest
• The psychosocial development of the child, from birth to adolescence
• The role of the parent and parental fears
• The importance of good communication and how to do it
• Ideas and tips for parenting, supporting and staying connected to the tween who has been adopted

I asked Judy three questions about our giveaway’s theme topic, self-expression:

1. Is self-expression an important part of your life today, why or why not?

The older I become the more expressive I’ve become, and the more comfortable I become with exploring new ways to express myself. There isn’t a day that doesn’t go by that I’m not expressing myself, sharing why I write, and why I teach.

I did write as a child, even creating and producing my own 132-page magazine in 8^th grade, complete with an advice column, stories, decorating and cooking sections, and ads. It was the most fun I had in grade school, and one of my proudest moments when I reflect back. I can still see the pages.

I didn’t write creatively until about five years ago, at the urging of my husband. I found I had a lot to process (and still do). I also found that writing centered and healed me. I was hooked, and continue to write and build my platform, casting wide and deep.

What does self-expression mean to you and how do you do it in the world?

Self-expression means the world to me, however I feel it comes with accountability, responsibility, thoughtfulness, and grace. I write in the niche of adoption, which can be quite complex and emotional. I write from the heart and from my personal experiences. I am truthful. I try not to make all-inclusive statements, unless supported by research, because they will bomb. I know how I feel when someone makes a blanket statement or assumes. I read and listen a lot and then write about what I’ve learned. Everyone, in some way, is a teacher.

How does your self-expression impact the world—your family, your friends, your readers, and everyone else?

There is much pain in the constellation of adoption, and I need to honor that. Don’t get me wrong, there’s immense joy as well, however the loss, grief (and other issues entwined with them) and tough questions and answers are always present—spoken or unspoken. I prefer to speak them and writing has given me the vehicle and confidence to do so.

My writing and speaking reaches out to others, encouraging them to do the same. I’ve become a very confident advocate for the vulnerable, oppressed, adoption, adoption issues, open records, and openness. I believe there has been a great deal of “wrong” in adoption and, like many, I want to see things change, improve. One of the nicest compliments I received recently was from an adult who had been adopted, who cried through my entire conference presentation, and then said, “I didn’t know an adoptive parent could be like you. Thank you.”

And Now, Your Turn…

You remember how this works right?

Please read the complete rules at least once!

I ask you a question.

You answer in the comments for your chance to win a book each day.

Please just respond once, even if you make a typo.

Answer in the comments in 50-200 words (no less and no more to qualify to win one of today’s books).

Describe a moment in your life in full detail when you felt completely content and fulfilled. Just pick one and describe it fully for us.

Ready, set, comment! I will hold the drawing tomorrow and post the results here in my blog.

Thanks for participating in the Writer Mama Every-Day-In-May Book Giveaway!

And thanks for spreading the word. We will be giving away great books by wonderful women authors all month.

View the complete list of authors and books.

View the giveaway Pinterest board.

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