Beyond the Home Study

It's March and this month we’re talking all about behavior. Today's episode is about the realities of parenting foster and adopted children: big behaviors , unmet expectations, emotional triggers , and the differences between bio and adopted dynamics. Listen as we talk through the moments that leave you exhausted, second-guessing yourself, and wondering if you’re doing any of this right. D...

Welcome to Wins, Woes & What’s Happening — our monthly download on life. We’re covering our personal wins, what's been weighing on us this month, and new legislation affecting the system. Plus, what we’re watching when our brains are officially done for the day. Real life. Real foster care. No sugarcoating. Don't forget to Like, Follow, & Share! Instagram Facebook Website

In this powerful episode of Beyond the Home Study, we sit down with former foster youth and author Lainie Hartley to hear the story behind the system. Lainie shares what foster care felt like from her side — the pain, the hope, and the complicated relationships between foster and birth families. She challenges us to lead with empathy, not assumptions, and introduces her Bridge Program, designed to...

In this episode of Beyond the Home Study, we sit down with Karen Henderson, Director of Programs at CASA of the River Region, to talk about the life-changing impact of a CASA volunteer (Court Appointed Special Advocate) in the foster care system. Karen shares how CASA advocates support children through the court process, provide a consistent adult presence, and help ensure a child’s voice is heard...

Foster care is beautiful—and heartbreaking. In this Season 2 premiere, Lora Rose & Abbey are back and going deep! In this episode they share personal stories from inside foster care, including the joy of welcoming children in, the reality of reunification, and the grief that comes with letting go. Don't forget to Like, Follow, & Share! 📸 Instagram: @beyondthehomestudy 🌐 Website: www....

In this season finale of Beyond the Home Study , hosts Lora Rose & Abbey share all their favorite things—from the sensory tools they can’t parent without to the coffee, books, apps, and even nail polish that help them feel human on the hard days. If you’re looking for fresh ideas, practical tools, or just a few fun favorites to brighten your week, this episode is for you. Resources These are a...

In this episode of Beyond the Home Study , Lora Rose & Abbey talk with Johanna Choate, who shares her powerful story of perseverance through the ups and downs of adoption. From unexpected twists in the process to the emotional toll of waiting, Johanna opens up about what it’s like to hold onto hope when things don’t go as planned. Memorable Quotes:  “God doesn't call the equipped, he equip...

In this episode of Beyond the Home Study , Lora Rose & Abbey sit down with Valerie Marble , newly published author & CEO of A Step Ahead Adoption Services, to walk through the first questions every prospective adoptive parent should be asking . Valerie breaks down how to start the adoption journey with clarity and confidence—covering what to consider when looking at your timeline, what fin...

In this episode of Beyond the Home Study , Lora Rose & Abbey unpack the concept of co-regulation—how parents can help children calm down by first calming themselves. Drawing from personal experiences and real-life parenting moments, they discuss what co-regulation looks like in the context of foster care and adoption, how to respond to meltdowns, and why repair matters after we lose our cool....

In this episode of Beyond the Home Study , Lora Rose & Abbey explore the powerful role of play in building attachment and supporting child development. They unpack how play fosters connection, how trauma can influence a child’s ability to engage, and why movement-based play is key to emotional regulation.  Memorable Quotes: "Your best toys are yourself and your creativity." “Redefine...

In this heartfelt episode of Beyond the Home Study , hosts Lora Rose & Abbey sit down with Jessica and Ryan McMichael to share their powerful story of adoption. From the heartbreak of disrupted matches to the joy of welcoming their children home, Jessica and Ryan offer an honest look at the emotional ups and downs of building a family through adoption. Memorable Quotes: "Adoption was alwa...

In this episode of Beyond the Home Study, Lora Rose & Abbey dive into the importance of community for parents, especially those navigating foster care and adoption. They unpack what community really means, from local support systems to online spaces, and discuss the barriers that make connection difficult. The conversation highlights the vulnerability it takes to form relationships, the impact...

In this episode of Beyond the Home Study , Lora Rose & Abbey open up about the things they wish they had known before beginning their adoption and foster care journeys. They share the emotional weight of waiting for placements, the complexities of navigating relationships with birth mothers, and the never-ending paperwork that adoption entails. Memorable Quotes "I wish I understood the em...

In this episode of Beyond the Home Study , hosts Lora Rose and Abbey sit down with author and adoptive mom Kristin Hill Taylor, who shares her three very different adoption stories. While agencies were involved, each connection to her children’s birth moms came through unique personal relationships — a family friend, a lawyer, and even her doctor. Kristin reflects on how these experiences shaped h...

Description: In this episode of Beyond the Home Study , Lora Rose & Abbey unpack the whirlwind of the first 30 days after bringing a child home through foster care or adoption. From navigating time in the NICU to setting realistic expectations for attachment, they share practical tips and honest reflections on what those early days really look like. You’ll hear why self-care matters, how to ba...

Join Lora Rose & Abbey as they laugh through the everyday parenting battles we all face—but sometimes decide just aren’t worth the fight. From kids refusing to wear what you picked out to the chaos of mealtimes and routines, they share real-life stories of when it’s better to let go for the sake of connection. This episode is full of honesty, humor, and grace for the messy middle of parenting....

In this episode of Beyond the Home Study , Lora Rose & Abbey engage in an open and honest conversation about the complexities of motherhood, work-life balance, and personal identity. They share their personal journeys, the emotional struggles of parenting, and the societal pressures surrounding work and family roles. In this Episode Navigating motherhood involves constant evaluation of persona...

In this episode of Beyond the Home Study , Lora Rose and Abbey interview Wilson Munsterman, an adoptee, author, and college student. Wilson shares his adoption story, the dynamics of his adoptive family, and his experiences growing up as a transracial adoptee. In this episode Wilson’s adoption story, from being born in China to joining his adoptive family at 10 months. The role of cultural identit...

In this episode of Beyond the Home Study , Lora Rose & Abbey sit down with Beth Michiemo, a foster mom with experience parenting both biological and foster children. Beth shares her journey into foster care, the dynamics within her blended family, and the emotional realities of welcoming children from hard places. In this episode Beth shares her journey into foster care and what motivated her...

In this episode of Beyond the Home Study , Lora Rose & Abbey dive into the complexities of navigating adult relationships as parents — especially for those who have adopted or fostered children. Through personal stories and candid reflections, they explore how friendships evolve after parenthood, how to respond to awkward adoption-related comments, and why community with like-minded families i...

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of disrupted adoption matches and the emotional impact of when an adoption plan does not move forward. Please listen with care if you’ve experienced adoption loss or related grief. Summary: In this episode of Beyond the Home Study , Lora Rose and Abbey sit down with adoptive mom and teacher Tara to talk through the emotional ups and downs of her op...

Summary: In this episode of Beyond the Home Study , Lora Rose & Abbey dive into the complexities of advocating for adopted and foster children in school environments. From navigating 504 Plans and IEPs to fostering relationships with teachers, they offer practical strategies and personal insights to help parents feel empowered and equipped. This episode highlights the unique needs trauma-impac...

In this episode of Beyond the Home Study , Lora Rose, a pediatric occupational therapist, and Abbey Ramirez explore the powerful connection between sensory processing and trauma in children. Through honest reflection and real-life stories, they shed light on the unique challenges that trauma-impacted children face, and how those challenges often show up as sensory-seeking or sensory-avoiding behav...

In this powerful and emotional episode, Lora Rose and Abbey sit down with Chelsie, a birth mom who courageously shares her adoption journey. From finding out she was pregnant at 14 to navigating the adoption process and choosing an adoptive family, Chelsie opens up about the deep emotional layers of her experience. She talks about the healing she's found, the complexity of open adoption, and t...

In this solo episode of Beyond the Home Study, Abbey Ramirez dives deeper into the world of private adoption. Picking up from Part 1 with Laura Noonan, Abbey addresses the many lingering questions potential adoptive parents have — from choosing between an agency or attorney to understanding the emotional and financial realities of the adoption journey. Drawing from her personal experience, Abbey o...