EP17: The Joys and Challenges of Growing Up as The Son with Two Moms
This week's guest is Author and Training Specialist at the Center for Adoption Support and Education, Tony Hynes. Dr. Laura and Tony share a conversation on his experience as an adoptee with two mothers and existing in the space in between, often referred to dueling loyalty. Growing up in this unique circumstance, sometimes it is easy to focus only on one side of the coin when it comes to the challenges and the joys. Tony shares his perspective of the full picture in this episode where he pulls from his background to share tools to better equip you in connecting your child to their racial background.Tony was adopted by his parents Mary and Janet in the mid-1990s. In his memoir, "The Son With Two Moms," he writes about his experiences growing up as both an interracial adoptee and as a child growing up in a same sex headed household. Today, Tony is an advocate for families like his, having served on the Board of Directors for organizations that serve to highlight adoptive families from diverse upbringings. He also has been invited to be a speaker at conferences on adoption and foster care throughout the nation, especially those involving interracial placements. Tony completed his master’s thesis in Sociology on the psychology of children within the same sex headed household, and has now begun begin his PhD studies in Language, Literacy, and Culture. In his time as Training Specialist at the Center for Adoption Support and Education, Tony has designed innovative training curricula that help families and professionals respond to evaluation and assessment tools that encapsulate holistic pictures of adoptees and foster youth.
What You Will Learn:
What is dueling loyalty
How it feels to be "the only" in the room
The importance of frank conversations and making an effort daily
The facets of the internal struggle your child may be experiencing
Resources:
CASE - Center Adoption Support and Education
Hynes@Adoptionsupport.org
https://adoptionsupport.org/staff/anthony-hynes/
Training for Adoption Competency (TAC)
https://adoptionsupport.org/adoption-competency-initiatives/training-for-adoption-competency-tac/
Tony on Instagram @tony_hy
Additional Adoptee Voices on Instagram
@adoptee_thoughts
@isaac_etter
@hannahjacksonmatthews
@nicolesjchung
