Adoption, Fostering & Tea: The New Family Social Podcast

Brian and Kevin knew they wanted to adopt.  They imagined themselves with one new born baby, but as their assessment progressed, they realised they wanted siblings.  With a few months, they had a two-year-old and a one-year-old.  

Lee and John adopted their son three years ago when he was two.  They talk about preparing for transracial adoption; the things they got right and the mistakes they made.  They also talk about how the first six weeks were difficult but overall their journey has been joyful.   Why I'm No Longer Talking To White People About Race (Book) by Reni Eddo-Lodge Buy from Waterstones White Fragility (Book) ...

Karl and his husband went through the adoption assessment process together but, within six months of their three children arriving and before the adoption order had been made, Karl's husband left and moved abroad.  Karl had to decide whether to continue as a lone parent or end the placement.  He talks about how he coped in the early days and how his ADHD gave him the strength and skills to carry o...

Geoff and his husband had a long journey to adoption but their young children have now been with them for three months.  Geoff talks about changing agency, a last-minute court appeal by the birth family, and what it's like in the very early days of parenting.

Today is the last day before Bradley and Stuart welcome their baby into their family.  They've already had playdates with the child but formal transitions start tomorrow and last a fortnight.  We talk about how they've prepared for parenthood (including the obligatory Ikea shopping spree!), what they think it'll be like to have a baby and how they'll handle personal questions.

Graham and John have been fostering their child, who initially came to them for a weekend, for almost decade.  They talk about how they supported their child through the uncertainty about his future and how they're delighted he's with them permanently.

Lee is a solo transracial adopter of a child with additional needs.  He talks about navigating the complexities of "the system" when seeking support for her and about how excited he is about her future.

Molly and Zoe found their first adoption agency agency hard to work with and made the difficult decision to start again with a new agency.  The new agency was great and they're family finding now.  They gained childcare experience by volunteering at New Family Social's summer camp and they talk about what they learnt and how it helped them to realise they'd be able to parent children with more com...

Chris and his husband adopted their young son when he was 17 months old.  On the first night at home, he had serious breathing difficulties and was taken to hospital in an ambulance.  Chris talks about the doctors trying to figure out what was wrong while Chris tried to comfort his new child, who had only been with him for a few hours

Yannick and his partner had a fast and smooth journey adopting their five-year-old child, who's been with them for a month.  He talks about activity days and why it's important to be assertive in the process.

Adam and Brian adopted a pair of siblings seven years ago and another pair this week. Their children are now 13, 10, 6 and 3. Just days into their life as a family of six, they talk about their hopes and fears and how they're drawing on their experience as parents to support their new children.

Eddie and his husband had a child place through early permanence who was returned to their birth family.  They went on to adopt two neurodivergent children and Eddie came to realise he also has ADHD.

Fiona and Margaret's sons are married to each other and have adopted three children. They talk about their delight at becoming grandparents by adoption, about supporting children with additional needs and about how much they love their grandchildren.

Tom and Arjay return to the podcast, just a year after adopting twin girls, to tell us they have a new baby.  Their previous podcast was "Tenacious little monsters!" https://newfamilysocial.podbean.com/e/tenacious-little-monsters/ . Just two weeks after their baby arrived, they're tired but delighted.

Leanne talks about building attachment with her two young children who were adopted together when they were one and two.

Guy adopted siblings aged four and six.  They're now almost adults and he talks about their journey through education and what steps are available to them next.  Guy runs an event called Step Up Expo which showcases the choices available to young people over 16. link to step up expo

Aubrey and his husband adopted siblings, aged nine and two, at the same time after meeting them at an activity day.  One year on, Aubrey talks about parenting with an age gap, helping an older child settle into a new family and new school, and how activities for the younger child benefit the older one. PACE - https://ddpnetwork.org/about-ddp/meant-pace/ The Invisible String - https://uk.bookshop.o...

Henry and Duncan had their twins placed with they just weeks before the first lockdown. They experienced isolation and child-to-parent violence from their frightened and confused children.  They fought for support and found it really useful.  They now live abroad and are successfully raising their much-loved sons in a bilingual household.   As mentioned in the podcast: The BUSS Model

Adam and Aaron have been on the podcast twice before.  Since their last visit, they have been turned down as adopters for specific children several times and the rejection is taking its toll.  They talk frankly about losing confidence and the frustration of being turned down even when they thought they were a really good match.   Previous episodes https://newfamilysocial.podbean.com/e/aaron-and-ad...

Joseph is a dual heritage gay man who was adopted as a baby by white parents.  As an adult, with his white partner, he fostered and then adopted a dual heritage child.  Joseph talks about his experiences as an adoptee and a foster carer and adopter. A link to Red Dust Road can be found here  

Alex and his husband moved to the UK from Eastern Europe, built their support network through New Family Social and then adopted two boys.  The last 18 months have had highs and lows.  Alex talks about their journey, how they're dealing with a problem at school and how they keep in touch with their children's four siblings.

John is the sole parent of two children ages 5 and 8.  For the last couple of years he's done filial therapy with them which is a type of play therapy delivered by parents/carers.  He talks about how it helps his children to communicate feelings they don't have words for. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_therapy    

Chris and his husband are fostering-to-adopt a baby despite not having intended to take that route.  Chris talks about why they were initially put off by the uncertainty foster-to-adopt brings.  He also talks about their plan to have ongoing direct contact with the child's birth family.

Dave is a single carer and has been fostering teenagers since he started fostering during Covid.  He talks about creating a low-conflict home in which they can thrive.  He also talks about how he manages behaviour which some people find challenging.

Arjay and Tom adopted two year old twin girls 12 weeks ago. The had previously volunteered at New Family Social's summer camp to get childcare experience. This year they'll return with their children who they met at an exchange day. The girls had been born prematurely and that means there's some uncertainly about their health and development. The new dads are thrilled with their family life.