All you need is love… right?

July 18, 2018 by Linda Michie

by Linda Michie, Executive Director and Founder at Wishing Well Adoption & Family Services

All you need is love . . . right?
Wrong.

You need skills. Parenting skills.

In my work I have supervised hundreds of parents who have had problems with the courts, and Child Protective Services because they mistreated their children. They all, 100%, stated emphatically, that they loved their children. I believed them. Every single one of them. They did love their children.

But they lacked the skills to care for them properly.
Love is not enough.

You need to have a plan to provide for them, protect them, and prepare them to be the next generation that brings good to this world.

Love is not enough.

You need to make it a reality that they come first, that you can sacrifice what you want to give them what they need.
Love is not enough.

With your children, love can’t be just a nice warm feeling of tenderness. It has to be the cold hard reality of doing what they need you to do. Every day. No exceptions.
Love is not enough.

Call Wishing Well at (757) 739-2118 and set up an appointment with a parenting coach if you need help developing your parenting skills.

About
Latest Posts

Linda Michie

Executive Director and Founder at Wishing Well Adoption & Family Services

Linda Michie holds a Master's degree in Urban Studies, and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Old Dominion University.
Linda has worked in the child welfare field since 1999 and is a Licensed Child Placing Agent.
Wishing Well assists in domestic adoptions in the state of Virginia, and provides parenting coaching, and supervised visitation in Virginia Beach, VA.

Latest posts by Linda Michie (see all)

…More on Home Assessments, Custody Investigations, and Home Studies - February 1, 2019
Supervised Visitation Details - December 10, 2018
The Problem of Overpraising - September 6, 2018

"Linda, from Wishing Well Families, was wonderful to work with. My husband and I were, of course, nervous going into the home study process for the first time. Linda made the process easy and smooth. She was really helpful in teaching us what was needed instead of what we were lacking. She has a pleasant and caring demeanor that eases all the anxiety. We couldn't have been more pleased with choosing her."

- Home Study Client

"Linda, from Wishing Well Families, was wonderful to work with. My husband and I were, of course, nervous going into the home study process for the first time. Linda made the process easy and smooth. She was really helpful in teaching us what was needed instead of what we were lacking. She has a pleasant and caring demeanor that eases all the anxiety. We couldn't have been more pleased with choosing her."

- Home Study Client

"When going through the adoption process, it can seem difficult, slow-moving, and overwhelming. Wishing Well eased those feelings, made us comfortable and assured us that we were not alone. Because our experience was so positive, we continue to recommend Wishing Well to our friends and family going through similar experiences.

- Adoption Client

"My husband and I have had the dream of adopting a child from foster care for years but had no idea where to begin and were very intimidated by the notion. We’ve been so blessed to have Linda working with us. She has helped in giving her sound advice and input from her years of experience, not only has a social worker but a foster parent herself."

- Adoption Client

"My daughter absolutely loves Miss Linda. She is wonderful with kids and really cares for your child. She is always looking out for what's best for the kids and super easy to work with. We are very happy with Linda."

- Supervised Visitation Client

"Wishing Well provided unique guidance, support, and an educational foundation to help or family navigate through many challenges. I highly recommend Wishing Well Families to anyone seeking parental support, supervised visitation, or a change in their family dynamic."

- Parenting Coaching Client

"My experience with Wishing Well Families has been filled with an atmosphere of professionalism, heartfelt kindness, and numerous opportunities for growth as a parent."

- Parenting Coaching Client

"She single-handedly gave me something that I thought I had lost. Hope."

- Parenting Coaching Client

"Linda did an excellent job helping us adopt our son. She was so caring, compassionate, and professional. Her heart is definitely for helping the children. She was a great help to get our son safely secured into his forever home with us as swiftly as possible."

- Adoption Client

"Linda is prompt, efficient, whip-smart, and caring. You will find no better advocate in your adoption journey than Linda Michie."

- Adoption Client

"She was always very professional and confident during supervised visitation. I was comfortable with her communication and responsiveness and her interactions with my child. I always felt that she had my child's best interest as her top priority regardless of what was occurring between me and my spouse."

- Supervised Visitation Client

We fondly call Linda, "Coach Linda." She successfully guided us through a difficult adoption journey, providing us with advice as we transitioned from an infant placement to an older sibling group adoption. Her unwavering commitment to high standards during the process combined with sound advice and a nurturing personality gave us the assurance to make the best decisions for our family. With Wishing Well Families, our adoption was completed ethically and professionally. After our placement, our daughter asked, "Mommy, what do you wish for now when you throw a penny in the fountain because your wish came true – you have us." Linda makes family's wishes come true every day.

- Adoption client