Foster & Adoption Parenting Podcast » Kids & Family

Episode 86 – Preparing for Reunification

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:09:23 +0000

D & K are preparing Tommy and Molly for their upcoming reunification with their birth mom. They discuss the increase in birth parent visits and how they’re feeling about the kids moving out of their home. Discover the deep-seated controversy that may rip their home apart (okay, not really).

Episode 85 – What It’s Like to Get Adopted

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:45:49 +0000

A very special episode in which we interview our daughters Andrea and Linda. Make sure to catch our new “listener corner” jingle sent in by Dan, host of the new podcast “Fostering with Love“. Make sure to check out his show. http://fosteringwithlove.blogspot.com/

Here are the pictures mentioned in this episode.

01 cntyfacility 02 mom 03 dad 04 roompaint 05 adopted 06 bike 07 family

If you are going to look at the pictures while listening to the embedded player, we recommend you use the “Play in Popup” feature below. Clicking on a photo will open the image in your current window.

Episode 84 – Ask a Social Worker

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:01:30 +0000

Our special guest, Amber, answers listener questions from the perspective of a county social worker in California.

Topics include:

What information should and should not be kept from a foster parent?
Why does it feel like my social worker hates it when I ask questions?
Getting along with your social worker
Getting faster responses
How often to expect visits from your social worker
Advocating for your child
Finding out about court dates and case progress
What does a bio-family need to do in order to reunify?

We’d like to especially thank Amber for spending her time answering our questions. To interact with Amber and other listeners, use the comment section.

Episode 83 – Finding the Right Child for You

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 05:13:41 +0000

We explore the issues that surround finding the right child for you and your family. There are three important questions that should be seriously considered as you approach this important and delicate topic. We suggest a number of ways to prepare your life and your home for your child.

Episode 82 – Results from Court

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 03:24:14 +0000

D & K give and update on their last court date with some unexpected results. They discuss what’s next for their family, how Molly and Tommy are handling things and how they emotional navigate “a crazy system.”

Episode 81 – Court Date Approaching

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 05:11:46 +0000

D & K face the anxiety of an approaching court date that may terminate Tommy and Molly’s mother’s parental rights. This may mean that D & K will already be adopting. Hear how they’re facing the unknown and what they’ve been learning.

The Detroit News recently did a story about the shortage of foster parents in Michigan. The article can be found here.

Episode 80 – Getting Extended Family On Board

Sun, 23 May 2010 04:45:32 +0000

We answer a listener question on how best to get extended family involved in the life of foster children. Should you restrict contact at first in order to develop attachment with you first? What if your extended family isn’t crazy about adoption or foster care, how do you bring them along?

Episode 79 – Tommy and Molly

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 21:42:22 +0000

D & K tearfully say good-bye to Scotty and hello to Tommy and Molly. Tommy is a newborn and Molly is almost two. Listen to how their lives have changed in the last month.

Episode 78 – Birth Parent Visit

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 05:56:14 +0000

We experienced our first post-adoption visit with Andrea and Linda’s birth mother. Our first step into open adoption was a bit nerve-racking beforehand, but it went better than we expected.

Episode 77 – Abuse In Foster Care

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:17:15 +0000

We respond to a recent news story about allegations of abuse within a foster care home. We’ve got some specifics ideas on what can prevent this kind of thing from happening and what YOU can do about it.

The news story we reference can be found here.

Episode 76 – A First Placement

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:58:15 +0000

D & K jump right into all of the awkwardness of being foster parents. From handling a little boy’s questions, to sitting in court with the birth parents, and turning down other placements. Within three weeks they’ve been exposed to a lot.

Episode 75 – Responding to Questions

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:28:29 +0000

As D & K await their first placement they discuss how they’ve handled the inevitable questions that arise about their future as foster parents. Someone recently asked them perhaps the most shocking question we’ve ever heard.

Episode 74 – Newly Licensed

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:48:10 +0000

We talked with a newly licensed pair of foster parents, “D” and “K” about what they’ve done to prepare for their new journey.

Episode 73 – The Blind Side

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:44:43 +0000

We review “The Blind Side” and give a foster parent’s perspective on the movie. We liked the movie and think you should see it. Perhaps more importantly you might want to take family and friends who are apprehensive about foster care.

Below is the trailer for the movie and a clip from “Mad TV” that we mention in the episode.

Episode 72 – Settling In After Adoption

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:13:34 +0000

We’re back with a new episode. Linda has had her ups and downs since our adoption. We also requested an Individual Education Plan for Andrea.

Tim gives his opinion on what the British will call the last decade and Wendy once again humors his inane penchant for trivia. We answer a listener question from Kim on helping a bio-dad with a successful reunification.

Episode 71 – Helping Foster Kids Succeed in School

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:06:57 +0000

A new school year has begun and we’re learning how to help our kids with their school work. We discuss reasons that children in the foster care system often have learning delays or fall behind in school, including social and emotional issues.

One way that a parents can help their children is by requesting an Individual Education Plan. An IEP should be requested in writing.

We also share more listener comments on how to prepare a foster child for an adoptive home.

Episode 70 – Interview with Adoptive Parent Amy

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 06:06:57 +0000

We interview Amy, a fost-adopt parent who has had the experience of adopting four siblings consecutively. Her most recent adoption is being completed across state lines. Amy shares some personal experiences including infertility, pregnancy after adopting, and the death of a child.

Also in this episode, we answer listener Kim’s question about how to help a foster child transition to his adoptive home.

Episode 69 – Another Place At the Table

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 06:59:49 +0000

We give a review of “Another Place at the Table” by Kathy Harrison. It’s about the life of a pair of foster parents with some actual experience under their belts. We also briefly mention “Three Little Words: A Memoir” by Ashley Rhodes-Courter.

In listener corner we share a comment to our last episode. You can read that comment and our response here.

Episode 68 – Jeremy, Former Foster Child

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 06:48:46 +0000

We sit down and interview Jeremy, a former foster child, about his experiences in the system and any wisdom he can pass on to foster parents. We also give a brief review of “The Miracle Worker” and highly recommend watching it. At least watch this scene and catch the pay off line at the end of this scene; “the room is a wreck but her napkin is folded”. We identify with it a lot.

Episode 67 – Adoption Day

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 07:02:27 +0000

We did it! We finally adopted our girls. This is our play by play of the day we’ve been working toward for the last 2 years. It’s finally come and gone. We tell you exactly what to expect from the courtroom and the judge when yo get to adopt your children. Celebrate with us and don’t forget to check out our special surprise here.

Episode 66 – Choosing the Right Kids

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:51:36 +0000

A letter from listener Bonnie inspires this episode on choosing which kids to adopt. We also give advice on whether or not potential grandparents should get attached if the adoption status is unknown. Thanks Bonnie for your great letter.

Episode 65 – Adoption Signing

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:45:14 +0000

We signed our adoption papers last week! Woo Hoo! We’re almost finished adopting Andrea and Linda.

In this episode we discuss what the adoption signing process is like, what papers you actually sign and what changes for us at this stage in the journey. We’re now on the Adoption Assistance Program and the kids have new names. Don’t miss Wendy’s special tribute to Punky Brewster.

Episode 64 – The Open Adoption Experience

Sat, 23 May 2009 06:21:33 +0000

We recently read The Open Adoption Experience by Lois Ruskai Melina and Sharon Kaplan Roszia. We found this book to be an excellent handbook for navigating open and semiopen adoption. Topics include boundaries between the adoptive family and the birth family; differences between fathers’ and mothers’ concerns; and expectations of birth parents. We also share a letter we wrote to our daughters’ birth mother and birth grandfather.

Episode 63 – You Did Not Grow In My Heart

Sat, 09 May 2009 05:14:43 +0000

How long does it take to “get over” adoption? That’s a trick question. Every stage of a child’s life brings new challenges in understanding their own identity as an adopted individual. In this episode, we explore each stage and what parents can do to help their children process their experiences. Learn how to talk about adoption with your child, and why your child may feel like an alien if you try to tell him, “You grew in my heart.”

We got some of our information from “Being Adopted: The Lifelong Search for Self” by David M. Brodzinsky, Marshall D. Schecter, and Robin Marantz Henig.

We also discuss our recent experiences with poop smearing, temper tantrums and a broken arm.

Episode 62 – Preventing Child Abuse

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:34:49 +0000

What happens when you pick up the phone to report child abuse? In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, we discuss the process of recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect. Topics covered include: what to look for, children left home alone, mandated reporters, and the difference between physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.

We refer to an online information packet at Child Welfare Information Gateway. Order a free Child Abuse Prevention Manual from Olive Crest. Save the phone number for the child abuse reporting line for your state.

Episode 61 – A Conversation for Christians

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 06:31:41 +0000

In this episode we decide to have a conversation with Christians about Christianity (and foster care). If you’re not a Christian, feel free to listen in on our “family” conversation. But we won’t be offended if you’re not interested.

If you are a Christian, then you definitely should listen to this one. It’s our thoughts on why Christians MUST be involved in some way in orphan care.

Some of the verses we mention:
James 1:27
Isaiah 58
Ephesians: 2:8-10
Matthew 10:8
Philippians 4:13

Episode 60 – Second Guessing

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 05:58:07 +0000

We discuss the seconds thoughts we have about a number issues over the last year. They include open adoption, termination of parental rights, two working parents and ending family therapy.

Episode 59 – Foster Club and NFPA

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 05:41:45 +0000

We recommend you check out these two sites:
Fosterclub.com – A social networking site for foster youth.
NFPAonline.org – Stats, resources, scholarships, and support for foster parents.

Listener Laura recommended we listen to this lecture on “The Racial Geography of Child Welfare” by Dorothy Roberts. We’re passing on the recommendation. It’s a good listen.

Episode 58 – Racial Bias In Foster Care

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 06:55:05 +0000

Our thoughts on a report on racial bias in the Michigan foster care system. The news report we read excerpts from can be found at the Detroit News. The full report from the Center for the Study of Social Policy can be found here.

Episode 57 – Love At First Sight

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:10:26 +0000

Tim and Wendy explore the idea of “love at first sight” and discuss whether or not it’s possible in a fost/adopt situation. Also hear our thoughts on Andrea’s first romance and the theme for her upcoming birthday party.

We also recommend this Nuclearity episode.

Episode 56 – Blending a Family

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 06:57:47 +0000

Tim sits down with a friend and foster parent named Jim to talk about building a blended family with foster kids and bio kids. Jim and his wife Melanie are foster parents in Washington and have a unique story. Wendy says this is the episode to have your husband listen to.

Our podcast announces some big news as well. Our first official sponsor and our own foster agency!

OLIVE CREST FOSTER & ADOPTION AGENCY
1-800-74-FOSTER (800-743-6783)
http://www.olivecrest.org

If you live in Southern California, Southern Nevada, or the Pacific Northwest, give them a call and tell them you heard about them from us.

Also, if you want to know what we think of you doing your own podcast, the answer is “we’d love it”.

Episode 55 – Bye Bye Baby and Hello Big News

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 06:34:42 +0000

Baby Kay left our home today and we reflect on her time here, her future and what we did to say good bye. In addition we got some much anticipated news from our Social Worker

Episode 54 – No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 07:44:17 +0000

An update on our lives since Baby Kay entered our family. A new baby in our life has brought many new trials and taught us a thing or two about who we are.

Episode 53 – Surprises

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 07:39:16 +0000

December has not turned out the way we expected. First, we had a car accident and totaled our family vehicle. Then, today, we accepted placement of a 9-month-old baby girl.

The car accident brought up a discussion about grief and loss. We also touch on the triggers brought on by the holidays for foster children. Finally, 9-month-old Kay teaches us something central to the Christmas story.

Here’s the link to the documentary listener Krysta told us about. Watch it! Where Children Find Hope

Andrea’s drawing

Linda’s Drawing

Episode 52 – Bedtime: We’ve Tried Everything in the Book

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 07:42:49 +0000

Listener Laura asks us to name all of the things we’ve tried to help Linda to go to sleep. This episode went a little longer than even we expected.

We mentioned the Sleep Lady. You can find more information about her here.

We were recently interviewed by Hugh Duncan for his podcast Nuclearity. You can listen to our interview here.

Episode 51 – Where We Are At

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:00:07 +0000

A general update on where our family is at and some recent stories that tell us we are making progress.

Episode 50 – Forty Reasons We’re Adopting Through Foster Care

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:48:33 +0000

These are 40 of our own personal reasons to adopt through foster care. They’re not necessarily for you or anyone else, but they are what compels us. Celebrate National Adoption Month with us!

Episode 49 – Ramona, Former Foster Child

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 05:05:55 +0000

Wendy takes time to interview our friend Ramona, who grew up in foster care.

Coming soon: stay tuned for our National Adoption Month plans. Email with any of your adoption specific questions.

Episode 48 – Start Preparing For Foster Parenting

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:43:26 +0000

So you want to be a foster parent, but not yet. What can you do with all that energy you’ve got? We give some practical advice for how to prepare yourself.

Engagement Checklist:
http://marriage.about.com/od/engagement/ss/engagedissues.htm

A book on grief and loss we recommend:
Changes That Heal by Henry Cloud.

Episode 47 – UnAdoption

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:13:43 +0000

Can you “unadopt” a child? It sounds terrible, but we’ve known children whose adoption was dissolved by their adoptive parents AFTER the adoption was finalized. In this episode, we discuss adoption dissolution: why adoptions fail and how to ensure a successful adoption.

Some links we found helpful during our research:

Preventing dissolution of an adoption
http://adoption.families.com/blog/parental-claiming-of-an-older-adopted-child

Statistics on adoption disruption and dissolution
http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/s_disrup.cfm

Who pays for foster care when an adoption is dissolved?
http://www.nacac.org/adoptionsubsidy/factsheets/childsupportenforcement.html

Episode 46 – Emotional Triggers

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:10:44 +0000

The game “Uno” has a strange effect on our girls. We discuss it as well as what kind of questions Andrea and Linda have about their biological family and what answers we provide to them.

Episode 45 – Our Apologies

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:06:42 +0000

Why we teach our kids to apologize and why we apologize to them. Also, we announce the winner of our trivia contest and reveal the answer.

Wendy mentions these Bible references if you want to see what they say:

Colossians 1:19-20
2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Episode 44 – Familiversary

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:33:05 +0000

We just celebrated our first full year with Andrea and Linda, or as we like to call it, our Familiversary. We offer the ten biggest surprises over the last year.

Also, something for our listeners, a trivia contest! Win a prize.

Episode 43 – Getting Your Kids to Fall in Love With You

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:24:47 +0000

We’ve started a new therapy program called Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). We’ve only been to two sessions with the girls but have found that this “proven” program really works. If you’d like to start using some of the skills we’re learning try using this acronym

Praise appropriate behavior
Reflect appropriate talk
Imitate appropriate play
Describe appropriate behavior
Enthusiasm

We also mention a daily ritual that we use in our marriage. The “5 A’s”

Appreciation
Affection
Apologize
Ask (what can I do for you tomorrow?)
Amen (how can I pray for you?)

Episode 42 – Two Working Parents

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:34:09 +0000

Can you foster kids while both parents work? Yes you can but it has some extra challenges. We discuss how we do it.

Also an update on our chance encounter discussed in our last episode and a shout out to some strangers we met through our show.

Episode 41 – Chance Encounter

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:42:04 +0000

Our 4th of July (err Independence Day) celebration brought about a chance encounter that we had hoped to avoid. It’s a foster parent nightmare come to pass.

Episode 40 – Fost-Adopt Disruption

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:41:56 +0000

What’s a disruption? We give our thoughts on a fost-adopt placement that ends up getting reunified. This is not something we have experienced ourselves so we’d love to hear listener feedback.

Episode 39 – Foster Care in the Media

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:18:58 +0000

We bemoan the bad wrap foster parenting tends to get in the media. We also offer up a review of the movie “Losing Isaiah” starring Halle Berry and Jessica Lange.

Stay tuned for the end of this episode. We have a special treat for all of our listeners. You’ll want to hear it.

Episode 38 – When Your Social Worker Doesn’t Return Calls

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:33:26 +0000

We discuss the very real problem of social workers who do not return calls. We offer advice and suggestions for getting them to call back with out suggesting a death in your home.

Episode 37 – Courtroom Drama

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:20:52 +0000

We had three days in court this week. For once, there was an outcome. Listen for a play-by-play.

“We receive enlightenment only in proportion as we give ourselves more and more completely to God by humble submission and love. We do not first see, then act; we act, then see. It is only by the free submission of our judgment in dark faith that we can advance to the light of understanding. And that is why the man who waits to see clearly before he will believe never starts on the journey.” Thomas Merton

Mentioned in this episode:

Scriptorium Daily
“Beauty of Your Peace” by Tim Hughes

Episode 36 – I Hate This, Thank You

Fri, 23 May 2008 18:09:24 +0000

Our extreme measures to get Linda to stay in bed have garnered some odd reactions from her. A relational benchmark was finally reached for T and Andrea. Also, we’re approaching (hopefully) another court date and we discuss what it will mean for our family.

Also, shout outs to Catholic in a Small Town and Tupelo Catholic Podcast. Check out their shows.

Episode 35 – You Can Do It

Wed, 14 May 2008 05:43:08 +0000

We discuss our impressions of mediation at this point in the process. We’re not too thrilled with how it has gone to this point.

Wendy shares a story that has meant a lot to her in the last couple of weeks. Check out this video for more inspiration!

We also appreciate our friends, Jon and Amber, over at Monster Cookies for the plug of our show. Check out their podcast.

Episode 34 – Monitored Visits

Tue, 06 May 2008 21:35:26 +0000

What to expect at monitored visits. What are they? How often do they happen and why? We share why we prefer to be the monitors even though it exposes us to an awful lot of awkwardness with the birth family.

Also:

Wendy’s favorite new podcast: “Creating a Family: Talk about Infertility and Adoption” with Dawn Davenport
Help us promote our podcast. Click here.

Episode 33 – Why Our Kids Should See Their Birth Mom

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 06:24:04 +0000

We had some movement on the mediation process and it’s not looking so great. So with that in mind we review for ourselves, why we’re interested in post-adoption visits in the first place.

Episode 32 – Mediation Is More Exciting Than It Sounds

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:07:53 +0000

We finally met with our mediator! So we share all the details about what that process is like.

Episode 31 – Taking Foster Kids to Church

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:08:03 +0000

A question burning in the minds of all of our listeners, “Can you take foster kids to church?” We give you all the answers as we understand them.

Listener Krysta gave us a heads up on this video that we think is a powerful explanation as to why adoption should be important to Christian.

Episode 30 – Listener Comments

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 06:34:58 +0000

We tackle several of the listener comments that we have not had a chance to get into. A whole episode devoted to our listeners!

We mention:

Episode 29 – Talking with Young Children about Adoption

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 06:36:35 +0000

A book review of Talking with Young Children about Adoption by Mary Watkins and Susan Fisher.

We also briefly mention Adopting the Hurt Child: Hope for Families With Special-Needs Kids : A Guide for Parents and Professionalsby Gregory Keck and Regina Kupecky. Watch out there is a return of the “Listener Corner” theme song!

Episode 28 – Adopting Across Racial Lines

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 05:50:06 +0000

A good friend and regular listener questions something we said in the past about the appropriateness of adopting across racial lines. So we devote the full episode to that sensitive but pertinent topic.

We refer to:

The Multi-Ethnic Placement Act of 1994
Talking with Young Children about Adoption
Considering Interracial Adoption by Carrie Craft

Episode 27 – Embracing Special Needs

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:36:02 +0000

We had a bit of a “come to Jesus” discussion with our family therapist and are facing some tough realities. We also share what it was like to spend some time with the girl’s grandfather.

Tuesday night was kind of like a Twilight Zone episode for us. It made us think of a skit on Saturday Night Live that you can see here.

Episode 26 – Beyond Consequences, Logic and Control

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:16:46 +0000

We’re a couple of days late because sickness has struck our home. But we’re back with a review of Beyond Consequences, Logic, and Control: A Love-Based Approach to Helping Attachment-Challenged Children With Severe Behaviors. The book is authored by Heather Forbes and Bryan Post. They have their own website at BeyondConsequences.com

No, we’re not abandoning Love & Logic and
Yes, we’re recommending this book.
It’s a rare parenting book with a 2 week guarantee and it has helped us. You should check it out.

Note: We’re not sure what’s up with the sound quality. Wendy was actually right next to the microphone and Tim was a couple of feet away. But it sounds exactly opposite of that.

Episode 25 – Inside a Court Room

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:38:57 +0000

We had a big court date today. We’ve been quite worried about it for the last several days. There was good news and bad news. The bad news was that the hearing was postponed. The good news was that it was postponed so that we could meet Carmen with a mediator and work out post-adoption visitations. If we can come to an agreement we’ll be adopting Andrea and Linda!

We’re not quite at the finish line yet, but we’re getting really close. This was fantastic news.

We make sure to fill everyone in on the insides and outsides of a family services courtroom.

For anyone who really cares. We start off talking about an 80′s song by Til Tuesday. You can see the video here. (which we found for free). Tim is a little disappointed that he didn’t already know it was an Aimee Mann song.

Episode 24 – Odds of Getting a Placement

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:44:07 +0000

Andrea and Linda had a visit with their grandfather. The visit went great but the aftermath was not so great. Also Wendy left town for 3.5 days, find out how Tim did with them on his own once more.

In this episode we offer our ideas on how to more easily get placed with kids. If you’re having a hard time getting kids placed in your home this episode just for you.

Episode 23 – What Do Your Neighbors Think?

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 06:44:54 +0000

An update on Baby Janelle and our lives in general.

We also review the National Foster Care Adoption Attitudes Survey produced by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. What are the common misconceptions Americans have about adoption and foster care?

Tim also does an excellent job of sticking his foot in his mouth and alienating his relatives. Watch how he climbs out of the mess he makes for himself.

Episode 22 – A Crazy System

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 06:23:41 +0000

So it turns out it’s true. It’s a crazy system. This episode presents more questions than answers, for us at least. It turns out that we may be having a baby! Within the next couple of days we’ll find out if Andrea and Linda’s sister, Janelle, will be joining us.

We discuss our decision making process for what was a tough call for us.

Also Andrea and Linda had a visit with their grandfather that didn’t go the way we hoped.

Episode 21 – Angry Kids

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:46:01 +0000

We had a really pleasant week which included a trip the the Emergency Room and a lot of displays of flat out anger and aggression in our girls. To top it off, they’ve learned the “F” word.

We give a shout out to Jana Alayra, the Children’s Worship Leader who taught our girls how to cuss (It wasn’t really her fault). Jana, if you’re out there we need you to come teach a couple of preschoolers what the real lyrics are.

An update on our court date and what we can expect next.

We also start a new feature called “Listener’s Corner”. Wait till you hear the jingle.

Episode 20 – New Year, New Place, New Issues

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 06:08:03 +0000

We’re back after a long delay. We’re finally in our new place and facing new struggles as a result. We’ve got some funny stories to share as well

We mention De Facto Parenting status in this episode. Here’s a link that discusses it further.
What is a De Facto Parent?

Episode 19 – Being the “Other” Mommy

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:50:27 +0000

W is alone again and takes the opportunity to talk candidly about motherhood. Andrea and Linda still have visits with their birth mother. So how does it feel to be the “other” mommy?

Also discussed:

Visits with biological parents
Our next court date
The desire for biological children

Episode 18 – Moving with Foster Children

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 06:25:58 +0000

Here are some special considerations when you move with foster children. Moving is stressful, but you can ease the transition with some planning and TLC.

Also discussed: Should 3-year-olds be watching The Wizard of Oz?

More tips on moving with children:

Episode 17 – Thankfulness

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 06:33:11 +0000

This episode is about being grateful and gratitude. It’s also about how you won’t hear those expressions from foster kids.

We mentioned these other websites:

An article by Carrie Craft
The Project Management Podcast by Cornelius Fichtner
Why Children May Not Want To Talk About Adoption

Episode 16 – Why Adopt Through Foster Care?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 06:59:07 +0000

We try to make our best case for why you should adopt through foster care.

We start out with some fundamentals that influence our thinking and then list our 8 best reasons to adopt through the foster care system.

There is plenty of data about the harmful effects orphanages have on children. Here is one of many links. http://www.nacac.org/policy/orphanages.html A family is always better than an institution.

Episode 15 – Fostering Teenagers

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 06:40:37 +0000

Our brief experience fostering teenage girls is discussed in all of its glory. We didn’t have a positive experience but we still think it’s a great idea to foster teenagers. Hopefully someone can learn from our experience (most of all us).

We should also be clear, as always, that Michael, Beth and Clare are not their real names.

Episode 14 – Choose the Right Agency

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 05:51:45 +0000

In this episode we respond to some listener feedback and answer how we think you should go about choosing the right agency.