UnProfessional Parenting

We dive into the hidden emotional impact of foster care and adoption on parents. This episode explores how parenting children from hard places can unexpectedly surface unresolved trauma, emotional triggers, and past wounds we thought were long behind us. As we navigate attachment, behavior, and trust, we often find ourselves confronting our own stories in powerful and sometimes uncomfortable ways....

When trauma shows up in your home, it rarely looks like fear — it looks like defiance, meltdowns, shutdowns, and power struggles. In this episode, we sit down with the Director of Therapeutic Services at A Door of Hope and TBRI specialist, Shaleigh Schneider, to unpack what’s really happening underneath those big behaviors. Why do they exist? What is your child’s brain and body communicating? And...

If you’ve ever felt the nudge to foster but found yourself hesitating… this conversation is for you. This week we sit down with Billy Babbino, Director of Communications for A Door of Hope, who has spent years recruiting, training, and walking alongside foster families. Billy has seen the fears, the objections, the “what ifs,” and the incredible transformations that happen when families say yes. W...

Big moments matter—but what happens after matters even more. In this episode, we talk about repair: the conversations, reconnections, and care that follow conflict, meltdown, or rupture. Through the lens of attachment and bonding, we unpack why repair—not perfection—is the foundation of trust with our kids, and how showing up after the hard moments can actually strengthen the relationship.

Attachment and bonding don’t always come naturally in foster and adoptive homes—and that doesn’t mean anyone is failing. In this episode, we unpack some of the most common misconceptions foster and adoptive parents have about bonding and attachment, including the belief that love, time, and consistency alone will “fix” attachment struggles. We explore why foster and adopted children often struggle...

Holidays can be filled with joy—but for foster and adoptive families, they can also surface big emotions, challenging behaviors, and unmet expectations. In this episode of Unprofessional Parenting , we talk honestly about holidays, attachment, and bonding , and why meaningful connection doesn’t happen by accident— it takes intention and it takes a village . We explore how children impacted by fost...

Foster kids don’t just enter a new home—they enter a new world. In this episode of Unprofessional Parenting , we break down the unknown emotional, relational, and environmental barriers our foster kids faced and how those challenges shaped our parenting. If you’re fostering, adopting, or walking with families who are, this raw conversation is for you.

It wasn’t scripted. It wasn’t easy. It was real. We talk with our kids about the moment they were given permission to call us “Mom” and “Dad” — and the storm of emotions that came with it. From guilt to identity to love that still feels new, this is the side of adoption most people never hear.

We are back from the CAFO Conference in Houston — and wow, do we have a lot to unpack. From inspiring keynotes to raw conversations about foster care, adoption, and church engagement, we’re sharing our favorite moments, biggest lessons, and what’s stirring in our hearts after a week surrounded by people who get it. Whether you were there or following along from afar, this episode will give you a f...

In this raw and unfiltered episode of The Unprofessional Parenting Podcast , Matt and Laney sit down with no notes, no prep, and six real questions—three each—about their foster care journey. From the moments that broke them to the ones that built them, they open up about what foster parenting has taught them about love, loss, attachment, and faith. Whether you’re a foster parent, an adoptive pare...

In this episode of the Unprofessional Parenting Podcast , Matt and Laney sit down with Biblical counselor, Josh Waulk of Baylight Counseling, to unpack the powerful connection between attachment and the theology of adoption. Together, we explore how understanding attachment styles can help foster parents build trust, create stability, and form secure bonds with children from difficult backgrounds....

Foster care doesn’t just change your home—it changes your marriage. In this episode of the UnProfessional Parenting Podcast, we dive into the realities couples face when stepping into foster care: the stress, the miscommunication, the late-night conversations, and the unexpected strain it can put on a relationship. But we also share the practical things that have helped keep our marriage strong an...

With Special Guest Jeff Ford - CEO of ManUp Fatherlessness has become one of the greatest epidemics facing America today—impacting foster care, families, and the next generation. In this episode of UnProfessional Parenting, we sit down with the CEO of ManUp, Jeff Ford, to talk about the fatherlessness crisis in the U.S., why it matters, and how foster families are stepping into the gap. From the i...

The foster care system doesn’t just involve families and social workers—it’s deeply shaped by the court system. In this episode, Circuit Family Court Judge, Aaron Hubbard, joins us to share the court system’s perspective on foster care cases. We discuss the frustrations judges face, the difficult balance between legal timelines and a child’s best interests, and the realities of making decisions th...

UnProfessional Parenting 1.20 with special guest, Ron Cooney (Executive Pastor at Calvary Church Clearwater). What role does the church play in meeting the needs of vulnerable children and families in foster care? In this episode, Called to Care, we dive into the biblical call to defend the fatherless, real stories from foster and adoptive families, and practical ways churches can step into the ga...

In Part 2 of How to “Co-Family” in Foster Care , we dive deeper into how foster parents can build strong, healthy, and intentional relationships with biological families. Learning how to “co-family” is essential for supporting reunification, reducing conflict, and creating stability for kids in care. In this episode, we share real-life foster care experiences, practical co-parenting strategies, an...

(Part One) Foster care isn’t just about opening your home —it’s about navigating relationships. In this episode, we dive into the often complex, emotional, and important interactions between foster parents and biological families. From building trust to finding common ground, we’ll talk about what healthy co-parenting looks like, the challenges along the way, and why collaboration matters for the...

In this episode of Unprofessional Parenting , we explore the powerful bond between siblings and why keeping them together in foster care can be life-changing. From shared memories to built-in emotional support, siblings can be a vital anchor in a child’s world when everything else feels uncertain. We’ll share real-life stories, discuss the challenges that sometimes separate siblings, and talk abou...

In this episode, we dive into the heartwarming (and sometimes hilariously chaotic) movie, Instant Family . With its blend of humor and heavy truths, the film attempts to capture the real-life messiness of foster care and adoption. But how accurate is it? We break down what the movie gets right, what it misses, and how it hit us right in the feels. Whether you’re a seasoned foster parent or just lo...

In this episode of Unprofessional Parenting , we dive into one of the toughest and most misunderstood aspects of foster care—saying no. Whether it's declining a placement that doesn’t align with your family's capacity or recognizing when you're approaching burnout, learning to say "no" can actually be one of the most loving, responsible things you do. We talk about the guilt,...

In a world quick to reward obedience and punish misbehavior, it’s easy to fall into the trap of behavior management. But what if our goal as parents isn’t just to raise well-behaved kids—but kids with deep character? In this episode, we unpack the difference between controlling behavior and shaping hearts. We’ll explore practical ways to raise children who live with integrity, empathy, and convict...

Foster care is more than a calling— it’s a commitment . But before stepping into this life-changing journey, it's crucial to understand your why . In this episode, we unpack the heart behind fostering: What’s driving you? Compassion? Guilt? Faith? Personal experience? We’ll explore how identifying your true motivation can sustain you through the highs and lows, shape the way you care for child...

In this episode of the Unprofessional Parenting Podcast , we dive into the powerful mindset shift of reframing what "winning" looks like as a foster parent. Traditional parenting milestones don’t always apply in the world of foster care—and that’s okay. We talk about finding joy in the small moments, celebrating progress over perfection, and embracing emotional wins that often go unseen. Whether i...

The holidays are often painted as a season of joy and togetherness—but for kids in foster care, this time can stir up complex emotions, painful memories, and a deep sense of loss. In this episode of Unprofessional Parenting , we unpack the emotional landscape of the holiday season for foster children and the families who care for them. From navigating traditions that may not feel like theirs to ha...

Think you know foster care? Think again. In this episode, we’re breaking down 10 of the most common myths and misunderstandings about the foster care system. From the idea that all foster kids are “troubled” to the belief that foster parents are “in it for the money,” we’re setting the record straight—raw, honest, and unfiltered. Whether you’re a current foster parent, considering getting involved...