The Foster Dad Directive

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode of The Foster Dad Directive Podcast, I talk about my experience using the Finch, a mental health and habit-tracking app I originally discovered through one of my foster kids. I explain how it wo...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode of The Foster Dad Directive Podcast, I discuss whether LGBTQ families should be allowed to foster and adopt children. As both a foster parent and someone who was partially raised by a gay aunt,...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode of The Foster Dad Directive, Charles explores LGBTQIA+ resources that can help foster parents, caregivers, families, and youth. Drawing from his own experiences fostering LGBTQ youth, he discuss...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode of The Foster Dad Directive, I discuss what I’ve learned from fostering LGBTQ+ youth and some of the challenges, responsibilities, and opportunities that come with supporting children who identi...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode of the Foster Dad Directive podcast, I discuss the complicated reality of fostering while planning for or having your first biological child. Drawing from situations I have personally witnessed...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode of the Foster Dad Directive podcast, I share my experience fostering a teenager who was both a chronic runaway and a potential target for exploitation and human trafficking. Looking back on our...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode of the Foster Dad Directive podcast, I talk about the challenges of balancing parenthood with working night shift while also trying to maintain my mental health, marriage, and responsibilities a...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode, I talk about how foster parents are portrayed in TV and movies and how those portrayals often swing between extremes. I reflect on shows like Annie, Shameless, and others where foster parents a...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode of the Foster Dad Directive, I talk about fatherhood and the challenge of building real friendships as a dad, especially when life gets busy and priorities shift. Even though I’m fairly comforta...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode, I talk about what respite care is in foster parenting and how it’s been a part of our experience over the past few years. I explain that respite is essentially a temporary break where foster ki...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode, I talk about my concerns around AI chatbots and how they’re interacting with kids, especially based on experiences we’ve had with foster placements. I explain that while I do use AI for my podc...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this announcement episode, I share that I’m expanding the podcast by starting live streams on Kik and Twitch to make the show more interactive and consistent. I explain that I’m still figuring out the best s...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode, I open up about my struggles with consistency in recording the podcast and how a lot of that comes from getting in my own head. I worry about whether the topics I’m covering are actually helpfu...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode, I focus on practical snack ideas for kids that balance nutrition, convenience, and cost. I talk about how hard it is to avoid overly processed foods and share the things that have worked for us...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode, I talk about the importance of having hobbies for both parents and kids and how they can help with mental health, bonding, and keeping kids engaged in positive activities. While the podcast ori...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode, I talk about what phone might be the best option for your teen, especially if you're trying to balance giving them independence while still keeping them safe online. After dealing with mult...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode, I talk about what can happen if someone else claims your child, foster child, or dependent on their taxes and the options you have to handle the situation. I explain the two main paths you can...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode, I talk about child tax credits and when you can claim a dependent, especially from the perspective of foster parents or parents who may be unsure about how the rules apply. I go over some of th...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) fosterdaddirective@gmail.com ​ In this episode, I talk about experimenting with bringing video back into the podcast. For a long time I stuck to audio because I felt self-conscious recording when people were around or worrying about backgr...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode, I share the story of our second foster and adoption attempt, which actually began before our first placement but was delayed because our paperwork hadn’t been fully completed. I talk about the...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode, I share a quick review of Dad’s Child Custody Action Plan by David Zahra and focus on five things I really liked about the book. I talk about how it breaks down courtroom etiquette, documentati...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode of Dad’s Book Club, I review Dad’s Child Custody Action Plan by attorney David Zahra. I’m not compensated for this review—I share my honest thoughts on the book and why I found it so useful, not...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode, I introduce a new segment called Dad’s Book Club, where I review parenting and family-related books I buy for the podcast. This episode focuses on The Reset Method by Dr. Becky Owens. I’m not c...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com In this episode, I give a short review of Raising Regulated Kids: The Reset Method by Dr. Becky Owens and highlight five things I really liked about the book, along with one area I think could’ve been expanded...

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) Fosterdaddirective@gmail.com My Podcast Server https://discord.gg/9MSPwRG4p In this short bonus message, I explain why I created a Patreon for Foster Dad Directive. It’s intentionally kept low-key and tucked at the bottom of each episode,...