What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting

On today’s episode, we will talk about the emotional highs and lows, the moments of judgment, and the lessons of grace.

It wasn’t until I had fully exited the world of foster care that I truly looked back and analyzed my heart’s posture. Knowing the intimate stories of the 77 children that entered our home and the hundreds more that I helped mentor the families of; my heart was broken. It in a place of judgement towards the biolog...

Whether you are a foster parent hoping to adopt, already adopted or a long-term foster parent, this episode is for you if you struggle with anxiety, overwhelm and desire to keep Jesus at the center.

I will share vulnerably several ways that I tried to maintain control and perfection while battling anxiety and worry. I had found myself fully shifted into a mindset of striving to control every aspect of our foster care and adoption p...

Welcome to the What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting podcast show. If you're a foster mom on the journey to adoption, already adopted, or somewhere in the middle, you're in the right place. 

Today, I will take you on the journey of deciding to continue with my podcast. Over the past 2 months, God has been refining and pruning my heart and showing me how to more completely depend on Him.

If you are struggling right now as a fo...

On today's episode, we will conclude this 2 part series and talk about parenting children with attachment disorders. We will cover 6 key points to helping foster children feel safe and secure, comforted and supported, connected, experience consistency, feel encouraged and help you as the foster parent maintain boundaries in the foster home. All of these will help in developing bonds with your children, maintain emotional regulation...

In this episode which is part 1 of a 2 part series, we talk about attachment disorders commonly observed in foster and adopted children.

Attachment disorders relate to the bond children form with their primary caregiver right from birth, which significantly impacts their behavior. Children subjected to neglect, abuse, or abandonment often develop attachment disorders. We will discuss the 5 basic human needs that, when unfulfilled, ...

In this episode, we are going to dive into a lesser-discussed aspect of foster care: the mental health diagnoses of the foster children and then the topic of medication.

When you become a foster parent, you often have to navigate the often-overwhelming world of mental health care. I personally, know that I wasn't prepared for the level of complexity and at many times needed to make tough decisions without the understanding needed t...

There is a dire need for emotional support in the foster parent community – a need that often is neglected resulting in overwhelming isolation and unfortunate situations.

I will be vulnerably sharing one of the hardest lessons I learned as a foster parent while fostering and how it impacted the emotional struggles I faced. This episode will cover the importance of support systems, self-care and accessibility to emotional outlets an...

Join me today in an insightful edition of 'What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting' podcast, as we unravel the complexities of self-sabotaging behaviors prevalent among foster children. Dealing with challenging behaviors can seem perplexing, but understanding the root causes can pave the way towards significant change.

Diving deep into the neuroscience behind these actions, the episode unveils how traumatic experiences, subcons...

Difficult Foster parenting lessons: Losing my personal identity, how I reclaimed it and practical tips for you on your journey.

Today's episode is definitely at the top list of things I wish I knew prior to becoming a foster parent. All of the coulda, woulda, shouldas are popping up in my memories as I talk through this with you today. It also makes me wonder how many other foster mama friends feel the pressure to want to be perfec...

29% of people who were asked, believe that foster families take in so many foster children because they are doing it for the money. 

Understanding the different types of attachment disorders in foster children is critically important to understanding how to best parent them. There are 4 different types of attachment disorders that we will discuss on today's episode. I will also share a list of strategies to help your foster child begin adjusting to your home and family. 

We will cover many topics in today's episode including clear boundaries, patience and grace,...

Does affording Christmas gifts for your foster children overwhelm you?

Are you not sure how to navigate the busy season and also remain present with your foster/ adoptive and biological children?

Are you wanting to help more kiddos than just the ones in your home but not sure what to do or where to begin?

Adding foster children to your home during the holidays can be overwhelming but it definitely doesn't need to be.

In today's ep...

Are you wanting to adopt, feel called to adopt a child or grow your family through the foster care system?

When I wanted to grow our family through adoption, it all seemed so overwhelming, and I didn't know how to navigate such a complicated system. I can't wait to share with you, 3 ways that may help shorten your journey. 

In this episode, I discuss several websites and how you can utilize them in your journey. 

www.adoptuskids.or...

I know I have experienced this and wish I knew what to do when this happened. Foster parenting can be such an emotional journey and having a good relationship with your childs caseworker absolutely makes it easier.

Today I will be sharing tips with you so you can begin the relationship in the right way and plan for success. We will also discuss what to do when you have tried everything and it's not working. 

I also have an announce...

If you are a new foster or adoptive parent, you definitely don't want to miss this episode.  I will be sharing my top 5 tips that you can implement immediately to help you have a less stressful and more emotionally connected holiday season.

As a previous foster parent of 10 years and taking in 77 foster children, we had a lot of holiday events and experiences to practice what worked and what didn't work. I am skipping over all the ...

She was 3 when she moved to our home as a foster child. When she became available for adoption, over 100 families applied to adopt her. Thankfully we were chosen as her forever family and she became our daughter when she was 5. She was the perfect child so I never imagined we would face the challenges that we did. As I share the journey with you today, I hope you find hope and encouragement in the journey. 

If you found this episod...

I remember the one thing that worried me the most as a foster parent and that was the thought of being accused of abuse or neglect. Once it happened, it sent my mind spinning because I didn't know what to do. I felt overwhelmed with emotions and had no one to ask because my certifier suddenly couldn't discuss anything with me. 

Would I be found guilty of abuse? Would this go on my record? Would I be able to adopt? Do I need to hire...

I got the call asking me to take him in as a foster care placement when he was 6. I had no idea the level of care that he would require but I was willing to try. The caseworker warned me that this would be a challenging case because of his level of abuse and neglect but I didn't know what I didn't know. She told me that he had non-verbal autism (ASD), was labeled as feral and was extremely traumatized. 

When I picked him up from a ...

It's the biggest first decision that every potential foster and adoptive parent makes, and it sets the trajectory for the beginning of your journey. It absolutely matters.

Have you ever wondered if there was a right number of kiddos you should take in as a first-time foster parent? Have you wondered what age range to choose, or should you be open to all ages? Is there a right number and if so, how do I know? 

Maybe you're already a...