What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting

In this episode which is part 1 of a 2 part series, we talk about attachment disorders commonly observed in foster and adopted children. Attachment disorders relate to the bond children form with their primary caregiver right from birth, which significantly impacts their behavior. Children subjected to neglect, abuse, or abandonment often develop attachment disorders. We will discuss the 5 basic h...

In this episode, we are going to dive into a lesser-discussed aspect of foster care: the mental health diagnoses of the foster children and then the topic of medication. When you become a foster parent, you often have to navigate the often-overwhelming world of mental health care. I personally, know that I wasn't prepared for the level of complexity and at many times needed to make tough decisions...

There is a dire need for emotional support in the foster parent community – a need that often is neglected resulting in overwhelming isolation and unfortunate situations. I will be vulnerably sharing one of the hardest lessons I learned as a foster parent while fostering and how it impacted the emotional struggles I faced. This episode will cover the importance of support systems, self-care and ac...

Join me today in an insightful edition of 'What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting' podcast, as we unravel the complexities of self-sabotaging behaviors prevalent among foster children. Dealing with challenging behaviors can seem perplexing, but understanding the root causes can pave the way towards significant change. Diving deep into the neuroscience behind these actions, the episode unveils...

Difficult Foster parenting lessons: Losing my personal identity, how I reclaimed it and practical tips for you on your journey. Today's episode is definitely at the top list of things I wish I knew prior to becoming a foster parent. All of the coulda, woulda, shouldas are popping up in my memories as I talk through this with you today. It also makes me wonder how many other foster mama friends fee...

29% of people who were asked, believe that foster families take in so many foster children because they are doing it for the money.    The other day, I saw a video that confirmed that people do believe this and it was upsetting but also validation that it needs to be discussed. In this episode, we are going to break this down, and talk about perception vs. reality. Why do some children receive a h...

Understanding the different types of attachment disorders in foster children is critically important to understanding how to best parent them. There are 4 different types of attachment disorders that we will discuss on today's episode. I will also share a list of strategies to help your foster child begin adjusting to your home and family.  We will cover many topics in today's episode including cl...

Does affording Christmas gifts for your foster children overwhelm you? Are you not sure how to navigate the busy season and also remain present with your foster/ adoptive and biological children? Are you wanting to help more kiddos than just the ones in your home but not sure what to do or where to begin? Adding foster children to your home during the holidays can be overwhelming but it definitely...

Are you wanting to adopt, feel called to adopt a child or grow your family through the foster care system? When I wanted to grow our family through adoption, it all seemed so overwhelming, and I didn't know how to navigate such a complicated system. I can't wait to share with you, 3 ways that may help shorten your journey.  In this episode, I discuss several websites and how you can utilize them i...

I know I have experienced this and wish I knew what to do when this happened. Foster parenting can be such an emotional journey and having a good relationship with your childs caseworker absolutely makes it easier. Today I will be sharing tips with you so you can begin the relationship in the right way and plan for success. We will also discuss what to do when you have tried everything and it's no...

If you are a new foster or adoptive parent, you definitely don't want to miss this episode.  I will be sharing my top 5 tips that you can implement immediately to help you have a less stressful and more emotionally connected holiday season. As a previous foster parent of 10 years and taking in 77 foster children, we had a lot of holiday events and experiences to practice what worked and what didn'...

She was 3 when she moved to our home as a foster child. When she became available for adoption, over 100 families applied to adopt her. Thankfully we were chosen as her forever family and she became our daughter when she was 5. She was the perfect child so I never imagined we would face the challenges that we did. As I share the journey with you today, I hope you find hope and encouragement in the...

I remember the one thing that worried me the most as a foster parent and that was the thought of being accused of abuse or neglect. Once it happened, it sent my mind spinning because I didn't know what to do. I felt overwhelmed with emotions and had no one to ask because my certifier suddenly couldn't discuss anything with me.  Would I be found guilty of abuse? Would this go on my record? Would I...

I got the call asking me to take him in as a foster care placement when he was 6. I had no idea the level of care that he would require but I was willing to try. The caseworker warned me that this would be a challenging case because of his level of abuse and neglect but I didn't know what I didn't know. She told me that he had non-verbal autism (ASD), was labeled as feral and was extremely traumat...

It's the biggest first decision that every potential foster and adoptive parent makes, and it sets the trajectory for the beginning of your journey. It absolutely matters. Have you ever wondered if there was a right number of kiddos you should take in as a first-time foster parent? Have you wondered what age range to choose, or should you be open to all ages? Is there a right number and if so, how...

Do you have a vision of the perfect child you wanted to adopt? Are you a foster parent or in waiting to adopt a child?  Have you imagined what your foster care journey would be like or maybe you're in the middle of it right now? If any of this sounds like you, this episode is for you.  I remember when I dreamt of bringing home our forever daughter. I imagined what she would look like, be like and...

CANS stands for the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths assessment. Understanding CANS will help you to best serve the child or teen placed in your home as a foster placement. It will also help you know the purpose behind the assessment being done. I have carefully marked this episode as explicit because it discusses sensitive topics that may not be suitable for young ears to listen to.  If y...

Todays episode is vulnerable. I’m sharing my own mental health diagnosis’ with you and giving you tools to help thrive as a foster parent. It’s filled with so many lessons that I learned in the 10 years we spent as foster parents. Learning these lessons was absolutely not easy and I pray that by sharing them with you, it will make your journey so much easier. If you found this episode helpful, I w...

Learning these lessons was absolutely not easy and I pray that by sharing them with you, it will make your journey so much easier. ❤️ If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review and then join our Facebook community of like minded mamas at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen  Blessings, Christine

Is there a cure for Reactive Attachment disorder in children who have been adopted or are in foster care? How common is this Diagnosis and what are some of the symptoms? On this episode, we're going to discuss some of the feelings of being a Mom to a child who has the dx.    I can't wait to hear what you think!   You can connect with like minded mamas in our private facebook group at: https://www....

Becoming a foster parent wasn't something I had planned and honestly, neither was becoming an adoptive parent but God absolutely had other plans. I can't wait to share my story with you and see if you see any of you in the details.  After 10 years of fostering, 77 foster kiddos and our 2 daughters through adoption, I am so excited to begin to share our story. To connect, please head over to my FB...

Are you struggling with constant overwhelm and have way more questions than answers while navigating the foster care system? Are you feeling like you’re losing yourself while trying to help your foster child or heal your adopted children? Do you feel completely ill-equipped with the needs of the kiddos in your home and fall asleep every night feeling like a failure? What if you had the tools to na...