Podcasts about adoptive

How much control do we have? How does humility help us see control more clearly? Adoptive mother and adoption professional Tina shares what she'd have done differently if she'd had a time machine including.. reading the Connected Child by Karyn Purvis. https://lfcsmo.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LFCSMO/ https://www.instagram.com/lfcs.mo/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

A slain 11-year-old boy of Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture, told his adoptive father, Yuki Adachi, just before being killed that Adachi was not his real father, investigative sources said Friday.

Welcome to the Second Moms Circle, the podcast for Christian adoptive moms hosted by Dawn Baggett, The Post Adoption Mom Coach.Learn more about how I help Adoptive & “second” moms by visiting the website at ThePostAdoptionMomCoach.orgFollow this podcast as well as the new Facebook page where you can dive into the conversation. And last but not least, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help other moms find and join us here. Keep growing, keep learning & keep loving!

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Question: I'm an intern therapist working with kids involved in DHS and the foster system. Could you guys talk about what a kid in the system needs from therapy? Or like what helped them, what didn't, what they needed in that space that their therapist didn't provide?Resources:Trauma-Informed Therapy: Finding the Right Fit for Your FamilyTherapists: Parents Should Be With Their Kids for Adoptive or Foster Therapy SessionsFinding an Adoption Competent TherapistSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review.  This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family building

In this episode, we're taking time to reflect on some of our favorite takeaways from Mobilize Ohio 2026. Every year, we're amazed by the way God shows up in this space, and this year was no different. Our theme was Surrounded, and it was powerful to see each speaker bring that to life through their own stories and experiences. It all came together in a way that felt both grounding and deeply encouraging. We hope everyone who attended left feeling refreshed and re-energized to continue stepping into this kingdom work. And if you weren't there, this episode is a great way to hear some of our key takeaways from the day.  If you were with us, we'd love to hear what stood out to you and what you're still carrying with you.  Episode Highlights:  Mobilize Ohio 2026 Reflections Stacking Stones  Surrounded  The Hills Are Full  Encouragement for Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Families   Find More on Hope Bridge: Contact a Staff Member  Register for our 4th Annual Benefit Dinner  Listen to our Episode with Ryan North  Listen to our Episode with Reuben West Listen to our Episode with Trisha White Priebe Visit Our Website  Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook  Join us for our Annual Benefit Dinner!

Invité du «Buzz TV» pour la promotion de la nouvelle saison de Rassemblance, Magloire révèle l'histoire autour de son nouveau nom.Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Welcome back to the This Day Pod! Today on the podcast, Megan welcomes a new friend from the organization Show Hope on the podcast to explain and share about the nonprofits mission with adoptive care! This organization was founded by Steven and MaryBeth Chapman, don't miss the story of hope and purpose! 

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Are you raising a child with known or suspected prenatal opioid exposure? Understanding the impacts and how to parent them will help you set your child up to thrive! We are joined by Lenette Serlo, an adoptive mom of four children impacted by prenatal substance exposure and the founder of Generation O, a nonprofit focused on creating understanding and support for children with prenatal opioid exposure and their families.In this episode, we talk about:What are opioids, and what does it mean when a child has been exposed to opioids before birth?What are some of the short-term and long-term ways prenatal opioid exposure can affect a child's brain, body, and development?What were some of the earliest things you noticed that helped you understand that your kids might experience the world differently?How can parents make the shift from asking “What's wrong with this child?” to “What does this child need?”When a child has prenatal opioid exposure, what practical ways can parents help support emotional regulation and nervous system balance for these kids?What are some everyday challenges families might see at home?  And what strategies can parents and caregivers try to support their kids with those challenges?What tools or routines can help kids succeed with things like organization, memory, and follow-through?How could a parent or caregiver partner with teachers or schools so that children impacted by prenatal opioid exposure can succeed academically and behaviorally?What have you learned about helping children build friendships and navigate social situations successfully?In the baby and preschool years, what supports or parenting approaches can make the biggest difference?What challenges tend to emerge during the elementary school years, and how can caregivers support learning, independence, and confidence during that stage?As children move into adolescence, what new challenges can appear, and how can parents continue supporting identity, independence, and life skills?What is one small change parents or caregivers can make tomorrow that could have a big impact?You founded Generation O to support families navigating prenatal opioid exposure. What gaps did you see that made you want to start this organization? What's giving you hope right now? What is one message would you most want our listeners to take with them about helping their kids with a history of opioid exposure thrive now and into their futures?Resources:Prenatal Substance Exposure Workshop for Foster, Adoptive & Kinship ParentsRaising a Child with Prenatal Substance ExposurePSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review.  This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family building

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian, Courtney, and Travis discuss the I Belong Project, a program aimed at helping children in foster care find families. This is a unique episode because some of the stories shared on this episode come from our staff on the ground in various states across the country. The hosts listen and react and also share their own personal stories and insights from their experiences in foster care and adoption, highlighting the importance of storytelling and social media in raising awareness and engaging potential adoptive families. The conversation emphasizes the need for better matching of children with families and the challenges faced by kids in the foster care system.The hosts discuss the challenges faced by hard-to-place children in the foster care system, the importance of creative advocacy in finding families for these children, the significance of sibling bonds in the adoption process, and the complex emotions surrounding grief and loss in adoption. They emphasize the need for awareness and compassion in addressing the needs of these children and the families that support them. Learn more about about our I Belong Project and meet kids waiting for adoptive families:https://americaskidsbelong.org/meet-the-kids/TakeawaysCourtney has been a foster mom for 18 years.The I Belong Project helps children find families through storytelling.Social media plays a crucial role in raising awareness.Many families inquire about children they see in videos.The project has filmed over 4,258 kids without turning anyone down.Kids in foster care often wait years for adoption.The best advocates for children are the children themselves.Matching families to children is a critical process.The project has led to increased inquiries from first-time foster parents.There is a family for every child, and connections can be biological.  Kids who are hard to place often wait a long time for families.Reunification efforts may fail, leading to the need for adoption.Many hard-to-place kids have special needs or siblings they want to stay with.Creative advocacy can change perceptions and outcomes for children.Siblings being separated in adoption is a common but challenging issue.Keeping siblings together can provide emotional support during adoption.Adoption comes with grief for biological families and foster families.Understanding the grief involved in adoption is crucial for adoptive families.Adoptive parents often face their own grief while supporting their children.The journey to adoption can lead to unexpected family connections.

Pascale s'inquiète pour sa fille adoptive de 17 ans, qui présente depuis un déménagement des troubles anxieux, un refus scolaire, des tics et des comportements d'automutilation. Malgré un suivi psychiatrique et un traitement médicamenteux lourd, la situation reste difficile à gérer, notamment face à l'isolement, aux difficultés scolaires et à la question du diagnostic. Chaque soir, en direct, Caroline Dublanche accueille les auditeurs pour 2h30 d'échanges et de confidences. Pour participer, contactez l'émission au 09 69 39 10 11 (prix d'un appel local) ou sur parlonsnous@rtl.frHébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

You can listen wherever you get your podcasts or check out the fully edited transcript of our interview at the bottom of this post.In this episode of The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, I interview Kahlila Robinson and Sarah Gerstenzang about self-regulation, co-regulation, repair, and what realistic emotional expectations look like for children ages five to eight. We discuss why parent self-regulation matters so much, how to support kids through big feelings, and practical strategies families can use together.Know someone who might appreciate this episode? Share it with them!And if you love the podcast, FREE ways to help us out: 1- Rate and review the podcast in your podcast player app 2- “Like” this post by tapping the heart icon ♥️ 3- Share this with a friend. THANK YOU!We talk about:* 00:00 — Meet Kahlila Robinson and Sarah Gerstenzang* 03:00 — The book and self-regulation. What self-regulation is and why it starts with parents* 06:00 — What's realistic for kids (ages 5–8) and why big emotions are normal at this age* 11:00 — Co-regulation: What it is and how parents support it* 15:00 — Supporting kids through big feelings: Why feelings shouldn't be rushed or shut down* 20:00 — Revisiting hard moments and why conversations after the fact matter* 23:00 — Repair: How and why to repair after conflict* 29:00 — Practical tools and simple regulation strategies* 35:00 — When strategies don't work: Why practice and flexibility matter* 38:00 — Where to find the guests* 39:00 — Final reflections: Advice to their younger parenting selvesResources mentioned in this episode:* The Self-Regulation Workbook for Ages 5-8* Kahlila's website and IG @kahlilarobinson* Sarah G's website * Yoto Screen Free Audio Book Player* The Peaceful Parenting Membership* Evelyn & Bobbie bras* Strong-Willed Kids WorkshopConnect with Sarah Rosensweet:* Instagram* Facebook Group* YouTube* Website* Join us on Substack* Newsletter* Book a short consult or coaching session callxx Sarah and CoreyYour peaceful parenting team- click here for a free short consult or a coaching sessionVisit our website for free resources, podcast, coaching, membership and more!>> Please support us!!! Please consider becoming a supporter to help support our free content, including The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, our free parenting support Facebook group, and our weekly parenting emails, “Weekend Reflections” and “Weekend Support” - plus our Flourish With Your Complex Child Summit (coming back in the summer for the 3rd year!) All of this free support for you takes a lot of time and energy from me and my team. If it has been helpful or meaningful for you, your support would help us to continue to provide support for free, for you and for others.In addition to knowing you are supporting our mission to support parents and children, you get the podcast ad free and access to a monthly ‘ask me anything' session.Our sponsors:YOTO: YOTO is a screen free audio book player that lets your kids listen to audiobooks, music, podcasts and more without screens, and without being connected to the internet. No one listening or watching and they can't go where you don't want them to go and they aren't watching screens. BUT they are being entertained or kept company with audio that you can buy from YOTO or create yourself on one of their blank cards. Check them out HEREEvelyn & Bobbie bras: If underwires make you want to rip your bra off by noon, Evelyn & Bobbie is for you. These bras are wire-free, ultra-soft, and seriously supportive—designed to hold you comfortably all day without pinching, poking, or constant adjusting. Check them out HEREWelcome back to another episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast. Today's guests are Kahlila Robinson and Sarah Gerstenzang, who wrote The Self-Regulation Handbook for Kids ages five through eight. Although their book is aimed at parents of kids these ages, the truth is that so much of what we discussed applies to parents of kids of all ages, toddlers to teens.A lot of the themes we discuss today will be familiar to you as listeners because you've heard me talk a lot about self-regulation, co-regulation, and repair. Listen into our conversation to learn why these are important for us as parents and why they are so crucial for teaching kids self-regulation no matter what age they are.Let's meet Kahlila and Sarah.Sarah R: Hi, Kahlila. Hi, Sarah. Welcome to the podcast.Kahlila: Thank you so much, Sarah. Thank you for having us.Sarah R: Yeah. We're going to be talking about your book, The Self-Regulation Workbook for Children Ages Five to Eight. But before we dive in, maybe if you could each introduce yourselves and tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do.Kahlila: Sure. I'm Kahlila Robinson. I'm a licensed clinical psychologist based in New York City. I have a private practice where I see kids, families, and adults. I'm also a mom myself of two kids, and I'm very happy to be here talking about the book and sharing more about our process and some of the highlights from the book.Sarah G.: Yeah. Thank you. So I'm Sarah Gerstenzang. I'm a licensed clinical social worker here in Brooklyn, New York. I also have a private practice, which focuses on adoptive families and complex developmental trauma. I'm also the board chair of the Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York, and the parent of three children, two by birth and one who we adopted through foster care.Sarah R: Welcome. Yesterday, when I was doing my preparation for this podcast, I came across an online copy of your book, Another Mother: Co-Parenting with the Foster Care System, and I started reading it, and I kept having to go, stop, stop, go back to the—it seems to—I kept it open on my laptop. I'm really looking forward to getting back to it. It seems really interesting. I grew up with some foster kids in my house when I was really young.Okay, so back to the book that we are here to talk about. Maybe just tell us a little bit about your book and, just while we're all on the same page, what's your definition of self-regulation?Kahlila: Our book is written for parents of kids age five through eight. So it's called The Self-Regulation Workbook for Children, but it's a slight misnomer. It's more directly written for parents and focuses on the importance of parents being able to self-regulate so that they can be calm on behalf of their kids, and really teaching parents strategies for how to do that through really stormy times with their kids.Because what we've seen, time and time again, is when parents are able to remain calm, for the most part, it benefits the child. It provides a model for the child. It supports a child's own self-regulation. So there's a lot in there in terms of parent guidance on how to support themselves when their child is having a hard time or when they're having a hard time. And then there's also a lot of strategies in the book for kids and parents to use together to support self-regulation in both of them.So that's the overview of the book.Sarah R: Yeah, it's a really helpful book. I notice that just in my practice of coaching parents, parents always come with this idea of, in short, “fix my kid,” right? So we kind of talk about that as the inroad, but then after a session or two, parents always say to me, “This isn't even about my kid. This is about me.” And I think that's—yeah. Nobody, though, wants to come into it thinking that. They always want to come into it thinking, “Fix my kid.”Kahlila: Yeah.Sarah G.: It's kind of confusing for them also, because most parents parent the way that they've been parented, and they can't really take that bird's-eye view and see, often, how they are impacting their own child's sense of safety and calm and capacity to be in charge of their own emotions. So yeah, it's confusing.Sarah R: So self-regulation—just give us a definition, what you think of as self-regulation, so we're all on the same page.Kahlila: Yeah.Sarah G.: Throwing yourself.Kahlila: Yes. In short, yeah. It's the ability to identify feelings that you have within yourself in terms of how they come through. They could come through physically, they can come through as thoughts and as emotions. So, being able to identify those feelings and then find ways to contain them within yourself so that they don't end up spilling out and creating more disruptive experiences for yourself or others. So: identifying, managing, and containing your own emotions.Sarah R: Yeah. And that's hard for kids, though. I guess that's, you know—hence the book, right? It's hard for kids, and it's hard for adults too sometimes. I think that's why you spent so much time on different—we're going to get to that—but strategies for parents to use themselves for their own emotional self-regulation.Before we talk about sort of what we're working toward, what do you think typical self-regulation in kids looks like? Because what I find is that the parents I work with have higher expectations than kids are capable of, you know, sort of—we'll talk about the under-eight set—in terms of what is a realistic expectation for how kids can manage their feelings?Kahlila: Yeah. I think there can be a slight range, right, in terms of variability, as human beings. Five- through eight-year-olds are going to be expressing emotion. A lot of times it's a full-body experience for them, right? So they're sad, they're mad—they're going to feel the charge in their system, in their full physical system. It could come out in ways that are more physical than it would be for an adult. They actually feel the emotion physically in a way that I think is more powerful than adults.They also, like we were saying earlier, don't necessarily have that perspective on what's a big deal, what's not a big deal, what can be fixed, what can't be fixed, how to solve certain problems. Things can feel much more overwhelming to kids because they don't have that experience and perspective on how to solve problems, why certain things are certain ways, much less of an understanding around things like time and how things function and all of that. So a lot less information on how things run. And because of that, they can have bigger, stronger reactions to things than adults.Sarah G.: And I would add to that, actually, that most children live in environments that are not very natural anymore. Kids five to eight—humans were meant to spend many, many hours, most of the day, outside in a natural environment, which is calming: walking, exercising, playing, learning from adults just by watching. So, number one, that would help their regulation. And if they did become dysregulated, I don't know if you've ever been outside with a 6-year-old screaming, but it's not nearly so terrible as it is with one in the grocery store.So, yeah, I think that also contributes to the misalignment of expectations and capacity.Sarah R: That makes sense. And I think it's a tricky age too because, in my experience, both as a parent and a coach, I remember with all three of my kids, I think the hardest time for my husband with them was when they were around six. It was because they were so capable in so many other ways. They could learn how to play chess, they could talk to you about the stars, they could—you know, in some ways, intellectually, they've made a big leap and they seem so mature in some ways, but they also could have a meltdown where they're a crying mess on the floor because they wanted to press the elevator button and you pressed it instead, right?So there's, I find, especially in this five- to eight-year-old set, a real asynchronicity between how developed they are in some areas and how emotional regulation is still super tricky for them in other areas. And I find that hard for parents. It does raise their expectations for how regulated it's possible for their child to be in those difficult moments.Sarah G.: Especially when HALT—hungry, angry, lonely, and tired—comes into play. I remember getting so annoyed at my husband. I had one child who's super vulnerable to being hungry, and I'd be like, “What? You forgot the snack?” So they don't have the capacity to overcome those things yet.Sarah R: Yeah, and I love how you brought that acronym in, and you talked about the “L” as being—the “L” for an adult might be lonely, but for kids as seeking connection or feeling a lack of connection. I think that is really important to think about.We've already talked a little bit about parental self-regulation. I want to just touch on that again, and also co-regulation. So self-regulation—when we can manage our own big feelings—can you talk about what co-regulation is? Listeners to this podcast hear me talk about it all the time, but because you do talk about that a lot in your book, if you could just talk about what co-regulation is, and also why parental self-regulation and co-regulation are so important in the context of kids' self-regulation.Kahlila: Yeah. So co-regulation happens in infancy, right? When we are an infant and we are hungry or sleepy or need soothing of some kind, ideally a calm, available, consistent parent will meet that need for us, and we have a way of calming our body down. So that's when we first learn that a high-arousal, really active, really uncomfortable bodily state can actually shift. It can actually shift to something calmer. We figure that out. We learn that over time as infants, and that's our first experience of co-regulation. It comes from outside of us, and then we learn that's something that our bodies and minds can actually do.Sarah R: So that's like soothing a baby. That movement, holding them, making those calming noises. That's something we do, I mean, a lot of us do that intuitively with babies. Maybe that's not fair to say, but we're—it's easier for us, I think, to do it with an upset baby, a lot of the time, than it is with an upset five- to eight-year-old. Why do you think that is?Kahlila: I think it has a lot to do with what you just said, Sarah, about the asynchronous development, which is typical, right? We're supposed to be asynchronous at five through eight, but I think it's that false sense of, like, “They've got it.” They have these capacities. They are in school. They're on a sports team. They're learning how to read. They're making friends. They're doing all these things that you're amazed by and that show this type of emotional maturity and growth and development. So maybe there's a false security there around, “Well, they can do it themselves.” And so it can be frustrating, right?Sarah G.: Also, they can talk and babies can't talk. There's a great documentary called The Dark Matter of Love about some kids who are coming in from an orphanage into a family. Early in the film, there's a lot of chaos, the kids acting out, but the dad can't understand because they're speaking in Russian. And you stay so calm—these kids are shouting—and they have the translation at the bottom of the film.And I think when you have a five- to eight-year-old, they seem bratty sometimes because of what they're saying and the way they're saying it.Sarah R: Mm-hmm.Sarah G.: Whereas a baby—we're biologically programmed, I think, to have that—it makes the back of your neck feel uncomfortable when you hear a shrieking infant, right? “Somebody pick that baby up.” But with a five-, six-, seven-, or eight-year-old, it's more like, “What's that kid sounding so bratty?” Obviously they need stuff too. They need to be co-regulated, but—Sarah R: Yeah.Sarah G.: That's part of our natural need to, as Kahlila was saying—it's totally natural—our need to get these kids in order so they can be functional adults someday. But they also need to learn.Sarah R: I think that's one of the reasons why every day I teach, “Kids are doing the best they can.” And I think it's hard—it's easy to remember that with a baby, but it's harder to remember that with a five- to eight-year-old.So what does co-regulation look like for a five- to eight-year-old with a parent? What would you do to co-regulate with a kiddo? Because that's how they also learn self-regulation, right? Through co-regulating with us.Kahlila: Yeah. So in our book, we talk about co-regulation starting with the ability to self-regulate as a parent. So if you notice yourself getting activated in relation to your kid, that's fine. That happens. An awareness of that is really helpful—like, “I notice myself getting kind of frustrated right now,” or just a tightening of my chest right now, or a furrowed brow. Just being able to have some awareness of where you're at, what your baseline is, is a good place to start so that then you can take care of yourself a little bit and keep yourself contained.That can be saying something to yourself like, “Okay, here we go. This is not a big deal. This is something we can do.” Or, “My only goal right now is to keep calm myself. Let me see if I can do that.” Or, “This is temporary. We'll get through this.” So a little bit of self-talk you can do with yourself if you notice yourself getting a little bit heated and wanting to co-regulate.If you need something a little more than that in terms of self-regulation as a parent, you could do a little bit of deep breathing. If you practice breathing when you're not upset, when you're calm, it can be really helpful in those moments that are more intense. It can be a strategy that's actually really effective if you take a couple nice deep breaths in.And if you have more time and you can do something else to calm yourself down in the moment, you can do many, many other things. Sarah talks a lot about strategies to use in the kitchen, right? Like washing dishes. If you have a window in your kitchen, or a window somewhere, staring outside—something sensory-based. Smelling something calm. We like to talk about sticking your head in the freezer, getting that blast of cool air, chewing on a piece of ice. Anything that you can do if you notice yourself getting a little too agitated to then engage with your child.Because if you're trying to calm your child—think of a conversation you have with an adult when you're upset, right? If you're upset and you're talking to an adult that's annoyed with you for being upset, or that is upset themselves, that doesn't tend to help calm you down. So you want to use that same model and idea for yourself: see if you can calm yourself down, make yourself feel as present and emotionally contained as possible on behalf of your child. So that's kind of step one.After that—Sarah, do you want to add in anything about co-regulating?Sarah G.: Yeah. So step two would be really a variation on what we do with infants. It could be patting on the back: “Hey, what's going on?” Or, “You need a minute? Do you want to go get your stuffy? Do you want to…” Just kind of calm down—what's going on? But using that same body, as Kahlila said. You need to be in a calm place. No child's going to calm down with their parent very agitated.Then I think just using your words. I make a lot of eye contact with my child who had the hardest time—I actually had two kids who had a very hard time regulating—so I'd say, “Look at me. Look at me.” And I'd start deep breathing and look in their eyes. I wasn't angry, just like, “Let's calm down together.” Around those ages, that was super effective for them.Sarah R: I love that. “Look at me” as a grounding technique, not as a “pay attention to me while I'm talking to you” sort of “look at me.”Sarah G.: Yeah, no. It was like, “Let's get back together here.”Sarah R: Yeah.Kahlila: I think you also want to frame it a little bit—maybe we'll talk more about this—the idea of co-regulation is to prevent as much as you can and contain a more disruptive, explosive thing. But it's okay for the child to feel upset about something, right? It's not like you want to say, “Stop, let me co-regulate this child so they can stop being upset because this is so annoying to me.” Maybe this is a very legitimate, healthy emotional expression that they're having, and you're just there to contain it and guide them and help them ride that wave of emotion.So I think that's the other thing that gets a little tricky sometimes for parents. Co-regulation is not necessarily about stopping the child from feeling what they're feeling and stopping the emotional expression. It's more about containing it and supporting it so that it can actually flow out of the child, right? If there's a legitimate hurt or upset feeling that the child's feeling, you don't want to co-regulate so that it goes away. You want to co-regulate so the child can actually have their full wave of feeling without it being super disruptive or overwhelming.Sarah R: Yeah, that's a great point. Sorry, Sarah, did you want to say something?Sarah G.: I was just going to say what our point is—what I remember saying to my kids many times—is, “I want to hear what you have to say, but I can't do that right now because of this.” There's too much emotion going on.Exactly what Kahlila is saying. And I think we can use our words to co-regulate too. “Wow, you're so angry right now, and I'm really sorry you're so angry. I want to hear what you have to say. Let's take a few minutes.” So acknowledging what they're feeling—your words really do matter. “I want to hear what you have to say, but I can't in this situation that we're in.”Sarah R: Yeah, in Peaceful Parenting we call it welcoming feelings. You talk in the book about how that's a really important part of kids learning self-regulation. Maybe you just mentioned it, but can you expand on that a little bit?Kahlila: Yeah. I think it's very important to understand that in order for kids to learn self-regulation, they actually have to feel the full extent of their feelings. Kids age five through eight pretty much don't have a chance—they don't have a choice—but to feel their feelings fully, for the most part. And as parents, we can unintentionally sometimes cut them off from the full extent and breadth of their feeling because it's annoying or disruptive or we don't want to deal with it.In that way, they don't necessarily get to learn how to fully contain it and understand it themselves. If they're getting prematurely kind of cut off by a parent saying, “Stop,” or even just a parent that's trying to use distraction—sometimes distraction is effective, but sometimes a parent that's just like, “Look over here. Stop feeling what you're feeling”—then it cuts off a little bit of learning for the child to say, “Oh, this is how deep the feeling goes. This is how long it lasts. Okay, this is what it starts to feel like when it starts to go down.”They get more of an internal knowing and understanding around what the intensity of the feeling feels like. So if you cut that off prematurely, then they don't get the full extent of that kind of learning.Sarah R: Yeah. I think sometimes we don't have the bandwidth for it as parents necessarily every single time they're upset, but I always talk about thinking of that as an intention. Your intention is to always welcome the feelings, but sometimes you do have to distract because you've got to get out the door for work and you don't have 15 minutes—or 45, or whatever—to sit with them while they go through the feelings. So I think it's just, over time, our intention is to welcome feelings whenever possible.Sarah G.: And I think one thing we talk about in the book that I think is just crucial is revisiting. I always say to parents, Saturday morning's a perfect time. You have pancake breakfast, whatever, if you can. Then you say, “Hey, on Wednesday, when you got so upset and we did get to school, but I was wondering—why were you so angry?” And just revisiting that time so you can understand what happened and then make different plans.I think that matters. It's great if you can do it in the moment. That's often very challenging. I have the same thought as you, Sarah. Time these days for parents is really, really rough. The pressures on them. But to actually go back and touch on that moment, that really matters.Sarah R: I love what you say about—you don't have to address it in the moment. You can address it later. I often tell parents, you don't have to address it in the moment, and often it's not even as effective because kids are not in their learning brains or their thinking brains, and they can't learn when you're trying to address whatever the situation is.Another thing you talk about is repair, and that goes on the heels of what we were saying—addressing something that's happened that's difficult for you or for them or for both of you. Can you just talk a little bit about repair? Whether you've kind of messed up or you've had some conflict with your kids, why is it important? And what are some best practices around repair?Kahlila: Yeah. I think this is probably one of the most essential places to go as a parent. It's such an important parenting tool, actually.And I think it can be foreign to a lot of parents, the idea of repairing with your child, because that wasn't how you were raised. You didn't have a mom or dad come to you after yelling or losing their temper and say, “Hey, you know what? I think I lost my cool.” So it's kind of like, how do I do this? This doesn't seem right, to apologize to your kid. There's all this discomfort that parents can have around it.But I think it's so powerful, and one of the reasons it's so powerful is because we really have to acknowledge that our children are some of our most important attachment relationships, right? There's a huge importance to how we are feeling about ourselves depending on how our relationship is going with our kids. So repairing is not only healthy and good for the relationship and for the child, but it's also healthy and important and good for the parent to feel like, “I've done the best I could in repairing a situation with a child.”So we've all been there. We've lost our cool, overreacted, done something that we regret with our kids. And so when we talk about repair, the first thing that we suggest is just taking some moments of reflection for yourself and repairing with yourself. So that means whatever the shame or the guilt or embarrassment or sadness that you have around what happened, be with that. Be gentle with yourself. See if you can self-soothe a little bit. Parenting is a really hard job. I do the best that I can. Even good parents make mistakes. So really, again, that self-regulation around calming yourself down, trying to contain your emotions before you engage with your child.So the first repair is really with yourself.Then you want to be the, in terms of secure attachment, bigger, wiser model of things emotionally for your child. So you go to your child and you talk about it as simply and directly as you can. “Hey, I apologize for yelling. I actually think I overreacted. And I'm sorry that my voice got so loud.” And that's pretty much it.Then you see how receptive your child is to that. If they're open to a hug or a high five, that's another way to affirm the repair. And then you see what it's like to move on. But you try to handle it pretty directly.Again, in terms of the timing of things, it's nice if you can handle it kind of the same day that it happened, shortly after the event happened. If that's too hard for some reason, I think there's no wrong time. There's never too late to say, “Hey, I've been thinking about what happened to us last week, last month. It's been on my mind, and I want to let you know that I apologize.”Sarah G.: Yeah. And I think then on the other side of that is that children make mistakes as well, right? And that we can give them—some kids are very natural, “Oh, I'm sorry, Mommy,” and explain whatever happened. But at this age, it's also unusual for them to do that. And so what one can do is give them an opportunity.If they spilled, “Get the sponge.” Or say they had a big fit and the juice went everywhere—“Let's get this cleaned up. You can help me by wiping up the floor.” Because we don't want them to be stuck in that shame state of, “I've made this big mistake and my parent's mad at me.” Even if you're not yelling, you can be silently really angry. So you can just give them an opportunity to repair. If they've hurt another child, “Take this ice pack and go…” You can apologize by bringing over the ice pack, or drawing a picture, or something. I think it's really helpful too to help them do it. It's not like we just wait until they're old enough to do it.Sarah R: Mm-hmm. I always say repair helps the kid—when you invite them to make a repair, it helps them feel like a good person again.And it's an invitation because we've all heard that, “Say you're sorry,” and then the kid's just like, “Sorry,” and runs away. That's not actually a repair. I always say, ask them, “What do you think you could do to help your brother feel better?” Which somehow is easier for kids, I think, than “Apologize” or “Tell them you're sorry.”But I love that you highlighted that it makes the person doing the repair feel better too.And I just want to go back to what Kahlila said about doing your own repair with yourself first, because I think it's really important that a parent making repair doesn't turn into asking the child for forgiveness. That's really what we have to do for ourselves first, because it's not their job to say, “It's okay, Mommy,” or whatever.Someone in my life, who shall remain nameless, still has a hard time with doing repair because his mother did the “I'm seeking forgiveness” kind of repairs, and he just feels they're empty because of that.Kahlila: Yeah, yeah.Sarah R: So you talk about tools. A lot of your book is really practical. You share a lot of self-regulation strategies for both parents and kids. So maybe you've mentioned a few already, but what's your favorite strategy for parents from the book—one that you haven't mentioned yet?Kahlila: Yeah. I think my favorite strategy for parents—and this is kind of in the first half of the book, not in the strategies part, but you can think of it as a strategy—is actually playing with your kids most days when you can. It doesn't have to be for a long time, but kids five through eight love to play, and it brings them so much joy and feels so good to them. I think it can be very regulating for kids, and I think it can be really supportive of the relationship.Even with my older child, yesterday we had a day where it was parent-teacher conferences, he had a half day from school, and afterwards we did errands and it was kind of more relaxed and we had more time to hang out and chat. We just had an easier time with each other and enjoyed each other's company. The evening routine was really smooth, and there was a lot of goodness between us and connection. The rapport was made even more solid between us.I see that happen all the time when parents are able to devote even five minutes of undivided, no-screen, no-phone attention with their kid—playing with them, talking with them. It really builds this ease to the connection such that giving directives or following the routine just makes things smoother. So for me, an effective strategy is having a bit of play and fun connection time with your kid once a day, even if it's only for five minutes. It really lubricates the whole system and makes things easier. It makes kids more motivated to keep that good feeling with you. So that's one of my favorites.Sarah R: Your book is really practical, and you do have strategies that parents can teach kids—things they can use in the moment. So what's your favorite strategy? We'll just call one out for the podcast here.Sarah G.: Yeah, I would say, actually, taking a walk. Doing it with your child when—it's a great way to regulate. Often once you're calmer, you're walking, you can repair. And it's also something kids can really do themselves as they get older. It's so simple. If things are really chaotic, it's just like, let's just start walking. Let's walk around the—Sarah R: I love that.Sarah G.: Walk. Love that.Sarah R: And that calls back to your “getting outside.” Everything feels better outside.Sarah G.: Yes, exactly. And it's funny—I just saw an article in the newspaper this morning about how now, having the phones that we have compared to not very long ago, landlines, people are actually spending so much more time on the phone. So if you can turn off that phone and take a walk—it's really interrupting the parent-child relationship in a lot of ways. So we have to be very conscientious about doing that. So: a walk with no phone, I should say.Sarah R: Yeah. I'm so glad that we didn't have phones when my kids were little because I think about those hours and hours spent at the playground where, frankly, it can get a little bit boring sometimes. And there was nothing to do but interact with the other people or watch your kids. There were no phones to pull out and see what's going on on Facebook or whatever.Kahlila: Yeah. Can I have one more?Sarah R: Oh, sorry. Yes.Kahlila: Maybe for, you know, it's a little harder for five-year-olds, but more for seven- or eight-year-olds: the idea of the child asking for a compromise when they are frustrated about something. You're setting a limit and they're not happy with the limit, and their response is frustration or anger.To really help kids practice this as a strategy—it's like a parent-child strategy—they can feel a lot more empowered when they say, “Okay, well this is the limit, but may I have a compromise?” And you can have a conversation with your parent that often gets you more into the thinking and speaking part of your brain versus the emotional part of your brain. You're engaging and you're trying to collaborate with your parent. That in itself calms things down a little bit. Again, it can be empowering for kids to say, “Wait a minute, I have a right to speak here and see if I can ask for a compromise here and work with my mom or dad and talk it through.”So I really like that one too.And then it's not exactly a strategy, but we have this section in our book where we have, I think, about eight kids talking about a time that was hard for them and how they dealt with it emotionally. Kids seeing other kids deal with big emotions and learning from how other kids do it is actually really helpful too. I've seen kids really want to absorb that and use it for themselves when they see another kid using a breathing exercise or pretending to blow bubbles or doing something. A lot of kids are learning calming strategies at their school, and so a parent could also say, “Well, what have you been learning at school that helps with you feeling calm at school?” and have the child teach the parent what that strategy is—another nice way of integrating self-regulation practices for kids.Sarah R: Yeah. I love that you brought up those calming strategies, like the ones that they've often learned at school these days, which is great—like blowing on a cup of hot chocolate, or pretending you're doing that to do the deep breathing.I love that your book is really more focused on the parents and what the parents can do in terms of self-regulation and co-regulation, because what I hear over and over from parents is, “Yeah, my kid can tell me five calm-down strategies that they've learned at school, but in the heat of the moment, they're not interested in using it.”So are there things that you suggest for parents when you have a kid who is resistant to those strategies that they know, maybe when they're calm, they know they can use, but then when they're upset they are refusing?Sarah G.: Practice. They need to practice ahead of time. Then the parents have to catch them doing it, even a small amount. Like, “Oh, I saw you started the breathing, but then I guess you got so overwhelmed. That was amazing.” And so—but also, you know, the stop, drop, and roll that they do in schools for fire—you need to do the same thing with these strategies.Sarah R: Mm-hmm.Sarah G.: Practice ahead of time. Talk about, “This is going to be a really hard day for you. You're so tired and we have these events, and what are you going to do when you're feeling so overwhelmed? What do you think is going to work for you?” So forth.Sarah R: Yeah, so prep ahead of time. And even afterwards, like, “Oh, that was so tough. You know, maybe next time we can try to do that calming strategy X that you learned at school when you're feeling that way.” I think that probably reinforces some of the patterns too, just even talking about it later.Kahlila: Yeah. And if you feel like there's something that's not working for your child and it—don't use it, right? Think outside of the box. Try new things. Do some trial and error. Every kid is unique, and something that may work for one child may not work for another. So discover that over the years and kind of accept the reality of what works for your child and what doesn't.Some children may want a very tight bear hug. Other children might want to chew on a piece of gum or something like that, or take a walk. So be attuned to what is happening for your child and believe them when they say, “This doesn't help.”Sarah R: Yeah. Love that.Thank you so much. This is really—I think your book is really great, and we'll put a link to it in the show notes. Any place you want to send our listeners before we let you go? Any best place to learn more about you and what you do?Kahlila: I have a website. It's kahlilarobinsonphd.com. So that's my website. I have an Instagram account with the same name, Kahlila Robinson PhD. So you can find a little bit more about me and my practice there. We'd be excited to get feedback from people on the book and see how they're using it and what's been helpful. So we are so open to hearing back from people.Sarah R: Awesome. What about you, Sarah?Sarah G.: Yeah, so anyone can find me at sarahgerstenzang.com. And I echo Kahlila's request. If people find something useful in the workbook, we just love to—we're proud of the work, and we'd love to know how it feels to actually use it.Sarah R: Wonderful. We'll put those links in the show notes.Before I let you go, there's a question that I ask every guest at the end of the podcast. So maybe, Kahlila, you go first, and then I'll ask you to answer the same question, Sarah. Which is: if you could give some advice to your younger parent self—go back in time and give yourself advice—what advice would you give yourself?Kahlila: I would probably say: enjoy it more. There's something about the intensity and the demands of scheduling and routines and pressure and all that kind of stuff. See if you can not sweat the small stuff as much and be a little bit more relaxed about things and enjoy it more.Sarah R: I love that. That's so important.Sarah G.: So we used to have very long dinner hours, and I was just thinking as we were talking about repair today: I should have done more repairs after some of those dinners didn't go—sort of erupted. We had a nephew living with us for a while, so had four teenagers at a table. Anyway, lots of it was fabulous and wonderful, but also sometimes things happen. So yeah, I think, “Oh, I should have done more repairs after those dinners.”Sarah R: Well, take your own advice. It's never too late.Kahlila: That's right. That's right.Sarah R: Let me know.Sarah G.: I've apologized for everything. Don't worry.Sarah R: Oh, good, good.Well, thank you both so much for coming on. It was a pleasure to meet you, and thanks for all the support you're giving parents out in the world.Kahlila: Thank you so much, Sarah. Thank you for having us. It was so nice to be here today.Sarah R: Thank you.Sarah G.: I really—Kahlila: Appreciate it.Reimagine Peaceful Parenting with Sarah Rosensweet Substack is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahrosensweet.substack.com/subscribe

Saint Joseph is a prime example of fatherhood for fathers, godfathers, and spiritual fathers. He trusted in the Lord and provided for Mary and Jesus despite not having a word in scripture. This blogcast explores “St. Joseph's Noble Example" from the Ad Infinitum blog, written by Chris Pierno and read by Brian Rhude.As we continue through this “Year of St. Joseph” as proclaimed by Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter Patris Corde, one cannot help but reflect on St. Joseph: adoptive father of Jesus, spouse to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Patron of the Universal Church. These lofty and impressive titles have been given to a man who in many respects is seen as humble, consistently in the background, and having no words come from his mouth in Scripture. His example of what it means to be a man and a father is one men can strive for.As a father of a precocious one-year-old, I cannot help but look for examples of how to be a father. Of course, we often look to our own fathers, grandfathers, friends, and perhaps even godfathers and spiritual fathers through the priesthood. There are many qualities that we can emulate from these father figures in our lives, indeed very practical ones. How to change diapers without a mess; how to look good while carrying an undersized backpack filled with wipes, pacifiers, and a change of clothes; or at what posture to best steer that not-tall-enough stroller? What prayers should we be introducing to our young family? How can we strive to provide for our child both practically and spiritually? However, I would suggest another figure to look to: St. Joseph.When my son was baptized, a friend of ours – who happens to be named Joseph – gifted to him (and to us) a statue of St. Joseph. At the time, I considered it more of a funny coincidence, and a nice gesture. As I continued to reflect on it, I really began to see it as providential. Admittedly, as a new father, I was scared and anxious (I still am). St. Joseph undoubtedly faced many of the same anxieties. However, throughout Scripture he is portrayed as a man who sorts out problems and comes up with solutions in practical and brave ways. It is this particular quality that I think we, as fathers, should take as a noble example.There will be times throughout our fatherhoods when we will come to face challenges, confusion, and doubt. St. Joseph protected the Holy Family and trusted in the word of God when it was easy not to trust. As fathers we are called to protect our own families, not necessarily always from harm or danger, and also to provide an example of kindness, love, and humility that so often is characterized as weak. Instead, I invite you to seek St. Joseph's noble example and see these qualities as a strength.We also need to trust in God. Pope Francis says in Patris Corde, “The greatness of Saint Joseph is that he was the spouse of Mary and the father of Jesus. In this way, he placed himself, in the words of Saint John Chrysostom, 'at the service of the entire plan of salvation.'” Let us as fathers follow in St. Joseph's noble example to place ourselves at the service of God's plan for us. Then we will truly be able to serve our families without fear or anxiety. Author:With the Center since 2011, Chris Pierno is the Catholic Apostolate Center's Manager of Marketing & Consulting. In this role, he oversees the Center's marketing program and coordination of consulting services. He also supports the staff in areas of  graphic design, advancement, public relations, administration, and strategic planning for the Center. Chris also is a co-host for the Center's premier podcast, OnMission. Resources:Listen to On Mission: The SaintsOn Mission: The Year of Saint JosephBrowse the Saints and Feast Day SiteRead the Ad Infinitum blog Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

In this conversation, Dr. Latanya Edenburgs shares her inspiring journey to becoming an adoptive mother and discusses the challenges and joys of adoption. She emphasizes the importance of love, emotional intelligence, and intentionality in parenting, while addressing common misconceptions about adoptive parenting. Dr. Edenburgs also highlights the significance of cultural understanding and maintaining connections with biological families. Her insights offer valuable guidance for prospective adoptive parents, encouraging them to approach the journey with openness and love.To Connect with Dr. Edenburgs:https://iyrjcoaching.com/To Connect with G'Ade:https://linktr.ee/theunfilteredbygade

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” -Proverbs 17:22   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with Dr. Jerrod Brown about Lego-based interventions and therapy for neurodivergent individuals, including those with FASD, autism, and ADHD. Dr. Brown explains the benefits of using Lego bricks as a therapeutic tool, highlighting their ability to improve cognitive abilities, reduce screen time, and foster social skills. He shares practical tips for implementing Lego-based activities and emphasized the importance of celebrating successes and teaching patience.   Listen to Sandra's conversation with Dr. Brown on Episode 521 wherever you get your podcasts.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: jerrod01234brown@live.com The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon Mobilize Ohio ReNew Retreat in NC

Biff and Mable adopted Biffina when she was a toddler, bringing her into their family with high hopes and good intentions. Now, years later, Mable has begun referring to Biffina as her “practice child,” a term that reflects her frustration and disappointment over Biffina's rebellious behavior. In contrast, Mable describes their biological daughter, Biffette, as easier to parent, further widening the relational gap between the family members. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/case-study-practice-parenting-with-adoptive-kids/

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Shein is under investigation in the EU over childlike sex dolls Cheltenham teacher who lied about Cambridge degree banned Cabinet secretary frontrunner Antonia Romeo faced multiple bullying complaints I invested 12,000 in Brewdog I think Ive lost it all How are UK passport rules changing for British dual nationals Conservatives call for rethink of Parliament revamp Nine arrested in France over death of far right student Soul destroying Young jobseekers on the struggle to find work Adoptive parents in crisis living with traumatised children Police assessing Stansted Airport flights over Epstein ties

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Cabinet secretary frontrunner Antonia Romeo faced multiple bullying complaints Cheltenham teacher who lied about Cambridge degree banned How are UK passport rules changing for British dual nationals Shein is under investigation in the EU over childlike sex dolls Police assessing Stansted Airport flights over Epstein ties Soul destroying Young jobseekers on the struggle to find work Adoptive parents in crisis living with traumatised children Nine arrested in France over death of far right student I invested 12,000 in Brewdog I think Ive lost it all Conservatives call for rethink of Parliament revamp

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Shein is under investigation in the EU over childlike sex dolls Cabinet secretary frontrunner Antonia Romeo faced multiple bullying complaints Police assessing Stansted Airport flights over Epstein ties Conservatives call for rethink of Parliament revamp How are UK passport rules changing for British dual nationals Adoptive parents in crisis living with traumatised children Nine arrested in France over death of far right student Soul destroying Young jobseekers on the struggle to find work Cheltenham teacher who lied about Cambridge degree banned I invested 12,000 in Brewdog I think Ive lost it all

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Adoptive parents in crisis living with traumatised children Cheltenham teacher who lied about Cambridge degree banned How are UK passport rules changing for British dual nationals Police assessing Stansted Airport flights over Epstein ties I invested 12,000 in Brewdog I think Ive lost it all Cabinet secretary frontrunner Antonia Romeo faced multiple bullying complaints Conservatives call for rethink of Parliament revamp Nine arrested in France over death of far right student Shein is under investigation in the EU over childlike sex dolls Soul destroying Young jobseekers on the struggle to find work

What we resist persists. Especially our feelings. So what if we could be open to our feelings? Be openhearted. Ride life's emotional rollercoaster with more ease. Listen in as Cindy talks about vulnerability, openness and much more...Ms. Cindy Sarai is the Founder and Executive Director for Adoption Dreams Come True, a non-profit domestic adoption agency based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With 23 years in the field of Social Work and 15 years in the adoption arena, her passion is clear. Her belief that every child deserves a home that is loving, safe and permanent is the foundation for the work her agency does for birth parents, adoptive parents and children. As a result of her focus, Cindy has been a part of over 500 placements of children into permanent happy homes.Cindy created a diverse agency that was not exclusive in any aspect, but served all birth parents and adoptive families regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation. Cindy provides free life-time counseling for all birth parents regardless of their final choice and often meets with birth moms whom she met years ago. Adoptive family fees are based on a sliding scale, using annual income, so that adoptive families are not taken out of the adoption process based solely on income. Adoption Dreams Come True has always mirrored our diversity rich world and values the uniqueness of every client who comes through its doors.https://www.adoptiondreams.org/https://www.facebook.com/AdoptionDreamsComeTruehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdlTbJSW7UtYqHBNZWK8X6A Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

In this episode of "Born in June, Raised in April," host April Dinwoodie reflects on the journey of the podcast as it celebrates its 10th season. Joined by executive producer Kyle Ferreira, they discuss the significance of the conversations held over the years, particularly those with April's parents, which have profoundly shaped her understanding of adoption and identity. April emphasizes the importance of having difficult conversations about adoption, grief, and family dynamics, highlighting how these discussions can foster deeper connections and understanding among families. The episode also touches on the unique framework of using the calendar as a tool for exploring adoption-related themes, allowing for a structured approach to discussing complex emotions and experiences.   Keywords: adoption, identity, family, podcast, conversations, grief, family dynamics, communication, personal journey, calendar framework Takeaways: Conversations with my parents have been transformational. It's important to communicate experiences of adoption and family separation. Adoptive families can relate to feelings of being 'othered' in their own lives. The calendar serves as a universal framework for discussing adoption. Both joy and grief can coexist in adoption celebrations. Sound bites: "Conversations with my parents have been transformational." "It's about integrity in a way." "Sometimes you have to run towards the burning building." Chapters 00:00 Celebrating 10 Years of the Podcast 02:01 Transformational Conversations with Family 12:40 The Calendar as a Framework for Adoption 18:34 Navigating Joy and Grief in Adoption 22:10 What Adoption Can Teach the World   Calendar Conversations Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/calendar-conversations-a-guide-for-adoptive-parents/id1728489802   Together on the Journey https://www.transracialjourneys.org/family-camp/  

In this episode of Fostering Conversations, host Amy Smith sits down with Terumi Sagers, TBRI Specialist for Utah Foster Care, longtime foster parent, and adoptive parent. Together, they unpack the foundations of Trust‑Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)—a relationship‑centered, trauma‑informed caregiving approach developed by Dr. Karen Purvis and Dr. David Cross. This conversation is filled with real‑life examples, practical tools, and compassionate insights for foster parents, kinship caregivers, educators, and anyone raising children—because, as Terumi explains, TBRI works for all humans, not just those with trauma backgrounds. Episode Summary Terumi shares her extensive experience fostering, adopting, and training caregivers for over 15 years. She explains the three core TBRI principles—Connecting, Empowering, and Correcting—and why trust must be rebuilt from a “negative starting point” for many children who enter care. You'll hear: How simple, consistent connection builds safety Why correcting behavior isn't effective until trust is established How sensory needs, movement, nutrition, and hydration affect behavior Practical examples caregivers can implement today Clear guidance on where families (foster or not) can access TBRI training This episode is a comforting mix of vulnerability, practical strategy, and hope for caregivers navigating the complexities of trauma‑impacted parenting. Guest Terumi Sagers TBRI Specialist, Utah Foster Care 20 years as a foster parent • Adoptive parent • Trainer and practitioner Key Topics Covered 1. What Is TBRI? A trauma‑informed parenting philosophy centered on trust‑building and relational connection. Originally developed for children with trauma histories, but now shown to benefit all children and even adult relationships. 2. Why Trust Starts Below Zero Children in care often enter new homes with trauma, loss, and disrupted attachment. Caregivers must focus on connection to help kids reach “zero” before growth can begin. 3. The Three TBRI Principles Connecting: Relationship‑building through presence, attunement, and positive interactions. Empowering: Meeting physical and sensory needs (movement, hydration, blood sugar, calm environments). Correcting: Teaching life skills and addressing behavior after safety and connection are in place. 4. Real‑World Examples A withdrawn teen reconnecting through daily small affirmations. A family eliminating after‑school meltdowns simply by offering protein snacks and water right after pickup. 5. Training Opportunities Utah Foster Care's 8‑class TBRI Caregiver Series (20 hours). Community resources including My Healing Home, Raise the Future, and online courses from TCU. 6. Becoming a TBRI Practitioner A rigorous process including 10 weeks of study, an intensive adult attachment interview, and a 5‑day immersive training. Resources Mentioned Books: The Connected Child and The Connected Parent by Dr. Karen Purvis Training: UtahFosterCare.org → TBRI Caregiver Series Community Providers: My Healing Home • Raise the Future Online Learning: TCU's TBRI 101 resources Notable Quotes “When you choose to become a parent, you choose how you spend your time. You can front‑load it with connection—or spend it all correcting.” “Our kids aren't starting at zero. They're starting at negative.” “Even as adults, we can keep using these principles to strengthen our relationships.” Learn More Visit UtahFosterCare.org to explore TBRI trainings, resources, and support opportunities. Transcript Episode 67: Trust-Based Relational Intervention Amy: On today’s episode, we’ll be talking to Terumi from Utah Foster Care about TBRI principles. This is a parenting strategy for anybody, parenting kids with trauma or anyone with kids in the home. Welcome to Fostering Conversations. I’m your host, Amy Smith. Today we have as our guest, Terumi Sagers, who is the TBRI specialist for Utah Foster Care. Welcome, Terumi. Terumi: Thank you. Thank you for having me Amy: . So you are the specialist. You’ve been teaching for a while. Tell us a little bit about yourself. So listeners just have a little bit of background. Terumi: So my husband and I were foster parents for 20 years fostered and did respite for. A long time. We also adopted three of our four children from the foster care system, and I have been with Utah Foster Care for coming up on 15 years now, working on the training team. Amy: so you are more than qualified is what I hear. Terumi: I would hope so. Amy: I love that. That’s amazing. So tell us let’s just start from the beginning. What is TBRI? Terumi: So TBRI stands for trust-Based Relational Intervention and it is a parenting philosophy based out of research done by Dr. Karen Purvis and Dr. David Cross out of TCU. Amy: so I’ve taken the TBR trainings as a foster parent. Something I always wonder, I don’t. Know, so I’m asking is TBRI only for kids with trauma or can it be used to parent any type of child? Terumi: I love that question because when we first learned about it, it was in the context of working with kids that have experienced trauma or have had toxic levels of stress. But as the research has gone on. They have realized this works for all kids. This works in other relationships as well. And I have had families come through TBRI training and say, I don’t have any kids in my home, but I’ve been doing this with my coworkers, or I’ve been doing this with my spouse and this works everywhere. And I love that. The reality is, yes, it works everywhere with everyone. Amy: Yeah. And why is that? Maybe give us like a very small, I know TBRI is very intense and has so many layers, but can you give us like a little bit of a nutshell overview of what the basis of it is for listeners that maybe don’t know what it is. Terumi: So we go back to that name, trust-based relational intervention, that we build trust in relationships, and that helps us have influence on behaviors of others. And when we put that relationship at the forefront and connecting with people on a really basic level, they feel that safety with us, and it allows us to then empower them. It allows us to correct behaviors when we need to because they know they can trust us. Amy: Yeah. Some of the, the basic things that I remember when I took the training years ago or, or is when one of the. activities, during the training is they have a pretend hurt essentially, and you ask, where is your hurt? May I put a bandaid on it? And I, I think it really is so basic. You’re just doing these basic things of like you say. Building trust and with, especially with kids with trauma they don’t have that on any foundational level. And so starting with these really simple bandaid activities, makes them start being more comfortable and being able to trust their caregivers. Terumi: Yeah. When we think about trust, we tend to think starting maybe at zero and going forward, but our kids in care have had traumas to the level that you’re not starting at zero. You’re starting at negative. Amy: Yeah. That’s interesting. I hadn’t thought about that. Terumi: time to get to zero. And so all of these activities, all of the strategic things that were being very intentional about teaching are to get you to zero to then start going forward in that relationship. Amy: Yeah, and I think as a caregiver or a parent, that can be overwhelming because first of all, we want instant results, right? We want kids to just be amazing and trust us and obey and do everything. That would be amazing, but. And that’s just not reality for any child, but I think having that perspective of, you’re trying to even just get to zero, I think that’s a really good perspective for caregivers to think about. I had never thought about that before, so I really like that. Terumi: Yeah, when you have a baby that is born to you from the moment. Even in the womb, you are doing things that they learn to, Hey, this person’s taking care of me. I can trust and I’m safe. When a child just lands on your doorstep, they don’t know you. They don’t know. That you can be trusted in any way. And sometimes we forget that because we think everything that was in the past is in the past. But trauma doesn’t go away the moment they hit your doorstep. Amy: You just added another pile on actually. Terumi: This is an additional trauma Amy: Correct. Yeah. Terumi: now I’m living with. Hopefully if we’re able to find kinship providers, someone I know at least, otherwise, being placed on the doorstep of well-intentioned Total strangers. Amy: know I, when I explain foster care to people, I, I say, think of how many people you have. If you and your spouse were unavailable to take care for your kids. The list is probably long, right? Kids in foster care, literally there’s no list, so they’re coming to a stranger’s house and it is. Like still, to me it’s so mind boggling to think, wow, we have this many kids and this many adults really in the state of Utah and in the country that they have no one. And so their kids are going to strangers when they’re in a terrible situation. That’s really sad. Terumi: Yes. As hard as it is to be in that stressful situation, having someone you can count on helps buffer that stress and these kids. Haven’t had someone that could count on and in fact have been hurt in relationships where they should have been kept safe. Amy: Yeah. Terumi: And so it puts you again at that deficit below zero because moms aren’t necessarily safe or dads aren’t necessarily safe. And now I have a mom and a dad. I have no history that tells me I can trust them. Amy: Yeah. I remember the first night we got our now adopted daughter. She was 14 months and it was the middle of the night and a caseworker brought her in a car seat and I. Came outside, took her out of the car seat, carried her to my couch. She was filthy. I didn’t choose to bathe there right then. I was like, this poor kid is, going through a lot. So we, I just sat and held her, but it was so interesting because, she was tired and it was a lot, but that morning she would not let me hold her. She would let my husband hold her. She would let my kids hold her. But the mom figure it was a no. And it was so interesting, and it took a few days for her to be okay with me holding her. But really these kids do have barriers and things that have happened to them that they can’t trust the adult female figure, or they can’t, they’re scared, and you have no idea why. So it’s crazy. Terumi: And part of what we talk about with. TBRI and a lot of the trainings that we present to foster parents is about attachment and the attachment cycle and that you keep showing up, they will show you what their needs are and you keep showing up. What I love about TBRI is it’s not theoretical about what attachment is and how you build it. It is very practical. Do this, then do this. Amy: Yeah. Yeah, Terumi: And we still cover that overarching idea around attachment, but it’s very hands-on, very holistic, very practical. Amy: yeah. So tell us a little bit about the TBRI training that Utah Foster parents can participate in. Terumi: So we offer what is called the caregiver series, and it is a series of eight classes. They are two and a half hours each, so by the time you finish, you have 20 hours of training there has been a new curriculum that has come out in the last six months, and I love it because it not only takes those principles, but it does widen the audience of who this is available too, and it makes it more user friendly even than it was before. So we have nights where we’re talking about the brain and understanding the basics about , the brain a night about attachment. And then we go into what are called the principles. And there’s three principles of TBRI. We will spend two nights talking about connecting and building those relationships. We will spend two nights talking about empowering, and this is some of the structures that we put in place to help kids calm their bodies and to help our homes be safe and calm places for them. And then we. Spend two nights talking about correcting behavior. Now, if we’ve put in the time as parents, which is what I always tell parents, when you choose to become a parent, you will put in time and you get to choose how you spend your time. You can either front load it with a lot of connecting and a lot of empowering, or you can. Choose to do a lot of correcting. And in TBRI, we look at this as a pyramid that we want that foundation of connecting and empowering. And then the very top is the correcting. And even in that, we break it down into we’re gonna teach the life skills we want. And at the very top is correcting behaviors in that moment. Because that’s the least effective time to Amy: I know. Terumi: actually teach, and we forget that as adults. Amy: Yes. And it’s always, at least for me, it’s always oh, immediately that’s, I’m like, we have to fix that right now. And it’s oh, not the time, it’s it. I don’t know if it’s human nature to just want to go exactly there or if it’s my personality or what, but yeah, it takes a lot of effort. Terumi: wanna fix it. Wanna fix it right now? Amy: Yeah. Terumi: And we are frustrated. And they are frustrated and we use way too many words when they’re not in a space that their brain is comprehending a lot of words. So what we tend to do when we put in time sometimes is we flip back and forth between having the triangle. Or look like a pyramid and having it inverted where we’re spending all our time correcting. We’ll figure out the empowering things and that connection comes last. And I tell parents the way you can tell where you’re at because we all do it and we all flip back and forth between them. Amy: Yeah. Terumi: But if you are frustrated as a parent. If you are feeling like every interaction I have is correcting behavior, my hunch is you’ve inverted that pyramid Amy: Yeah, that makes sense. Terumi: and if you can go, I gotta flip it back, it starts with you as a parent going, I’ve gotta focus on that connection and I’ve gotta focus on positive interactions with my child. I had a child that at one point. Was so struggling with his mental health that he literally did not leave our house more than five times over the course of a year and a half. Amy: yeah. Wow. Terumi: I struggled with that, and I struggled to connect with him because he was so withdrawn. Amy: Yeah. Terumi: There was a time when the most I could come up with was, thank you for showering. You smell really nice today. And that was my feeble effort at connecting with that child. But when I started doing that every day, finding one way to connect with him, Amy: Yeah. Terumi: it flipped that relationship again. And he knew I had his back. I was on his site. And eventually it built where it was not hard to find things to be positive about, and it was easy to continue to build and to continue to empower him towards better mental health. Amy: Yeah. No, I think every parent can relate to that and I always, anytime we’re talking. You know about parenting aspects, I’m always laughing in my head ’cause I’m like, oh, I have this kid who’s really easy to parent and this kid who’s really hard to parent. And it’s a personality conflict for some of us. But ultimately it does. It comes back on us as the parents to find the ways to connect, to find the ways to take a deep breath and try again. And it’s hard. It’s hard as a parent. Terumi: It is we are human and we get frustrated too but remembering, oh, wait, yes, I’m the adult in this situation, whether I wanna be or not right now. Amy: There you go. That’s exactly right. Terumi: I actually am the adult. Amy: Yes. So tell us a little bit if people are not foster parents, is there a way that they can access this type of training Terumi: Yes. There are multiple community resources. My healing home here in Salt Lake County offers it. They offer it statewide. You can look into Raise the Future, offers community classes as well, and. It’s also available online through TCU. So Texas Christian University has A-T-B-R-I 1 0 1 class that you can take there. Additionally, TCU has put out multiple YouTube videos that’ll just give you. Brief glimpses into TBRI and some of these principles we’re starting to spread statewide in the number of what we call practitioners. People like myself who’ve been trained to teach TBRI and so it’s becoming more prevalently available in schools Amy: Oh, that’s awesome. Terumi: and in. Therapy agencies and things like that. So it’s starting to spread, but raise future and my healing home are two that I would recommend Amy: Okay. Yeah. That’s really good to know because I like, I had literally never even heard of this concept until I became a foster parent and. Then even still when I’ve told other people about it, I’ve had, once you become a foster parent, people think you’re like this all-knowing magical being, and it’s no, actually I’m just a human who signed up to do something really crazy, but thank you for that empowering comment. But people will reach out, right? And be like, I have this difficult niece or nephew or, and it’s I’m not. Therapist I, anyways, so I think it’s great to know where we can refer people to, or if somebody’s listening that is not a foster parent, where are these resources that they can access? Terumi: And now that you said that two books I’m gonna recommend, the connected child and the connected parent, and they are both based on TBRI principles by Karen Purvis. Amy: Okay. That’s amazing. Yeah. So that just gives a little bit of a foundation and some options for people to go look at. I would love for you to chat a little bit about what the training’s like. To become A-T-B-R-I practitioner. I’ve talked to a few of the other people at Utah Foster Care who have gone through that, and I think it’s super fascinating. So I don’t know if you have any I know that’s a random question, but I just found it really fascinating who just explained a little bit of what becoming a practitioner for it is and what it entails. And I would love if you’d be willing to share a little bit about that. Terumi: It is rather intense. Apply for the opportunity to do it. I did it late in COVID, so my experience was entirely online, which is not the ideal way and is not the way they do it now. But they have, you do about 10 weeks of. Studying and deep diving into TBRI principles, and then they set up an appointment to do something called the adult attachment interview. I told you earlier, we talk about attachment and different attachment styles with the adult attachment interview. This is a several hour process, one-on-one with an interviewer where they talk, have you talk about your childhood Amy: Oh wow. Terumi: and your parents, and. Their personalities. Your personalities, how, what worked, what didn’t what your memories are like. And then at the end of that, they tell you what your attachment style is with each of your parents, Amy: Oh, okay. Terumi: because that then shows up in how you parent and how you interact. Other relationships, it can show up in romantic relationships. It can show up in parenting relationships. So that in and of itself is very intense. Amy: do we all get one of those? Terumi: They’re very expensive to do. That is not a random thing. You just click on online. Amy: kidding, but how fascinating was it? So eye-opening to you Terumi: very Amy: and slightly horrifying. I think it would be like, Terumi: Also. Amy: wanna know that about myself. Terumi: Yes. And it, it gave me deeper insight into some of the choices that I have made as an adult for good and bad. Amy: Yeah. Wow. That’s really, yeah. That would be so interesting. Terumi: And then after that there is a one week long intensive where you are in a training session with them nine to five for five days, and they move it around the country. I think they have one coming up in Las Vegas and wound up in Washington. Amy: Okay. Terumi: It’s a rather intense process and a lot of self discovery Amy: yeah, I Terumi: in figuring that out. Amy: Wow. I just think that’s, it’s awesome and really neat to hear how intensive it is to become, to train this, because TBRI is not easy to do. It’s not like you’re gonna go into this class and then you’re like, wow, I am a spectacular parent. All of a sudden it, it takes. Effort. It takes a lot of effort and so I think even just becoming an educator in it, like it shows you took a lot of effort and a lot of time and probably a lot of soul searching to become qualified to, to teach it. Terumi: Yes, absolutely. Amy: You’re like, maybe I didn’t wanna do this. Terumi: There were times where I was like, this felt like a really good idea. Amy: Love that. Terumi: It’s a lot. I look back now though, and it has done. A world of good to use these principles with my own children in helping those relationships, in helping my marriage, in helping my relationships with my own siblings and my parents to just put things in context a little differently. Amy: Yeah. Terumi: It’s been amazing. Amy: That’s so cool. I would love if you would be willing to share just one or two successes. You shared about one of the kids that lived with you, that was struggling with mental health, but do you have any other examples that could be mentioned either about your family or people you’ve worked with? Anything? Just beautiful success stories from it. Terumi: So one of the things that. We spend a lot of time talking about is sensory challenges because a lot of our kids in care have sensory challenges of a variety of kinds. They may be seeking sensory experiences, they may be trying to avoid certain sensory experiences. In the empowering principles, we talk about how we help kids calm their bodies, and some of it has to do with these sensory experiences. Some of it has to do with making sure their blood sugar is at a regular level and making sure they’re not dehydrated rated. So it’s fun when I teach these classes and it’s once a week because parents are giving given an assignment. Go try. Something that we’ve taught this week and come back and tell us what worked, what didn’t work, and when there’s five or six of us doing this, we’re getting a whole bunch more ideas from each other. One of the things was the blood sugar and hydration, and I said, make sure right after school they are getting a snack that’s going to help regulate their blood sugar and make sure they’re getting water. Amy: Yeah. Terumi: The next week curls around and a parent comes back and she said, I went and bought high protein snacks instead of the garbage. I’d been Amy: Yeah. Terumi: being out for them to eat. And she said, it’s more expensive, but my kids every day are like, where is our special snacks? Amy: I love it. Terumi: And she said, all of those afterschool meltdowns that we were having went away. When they were getting fed and hydrated right after school because we walked through the process of what does a day look like at school? When was the last time they Amy: It’s true. Terumi: When was the last time they moved their bodies? That’s probably around one o’clock, but they’re probably eating around 11 o’clock and you’re not seeing ’em until three. Amy: Yeah. Terumi: Or three 30. So they have gone four hours and we need to get something in them fast. And so now we have a lot of families that are keeping mini water bottles or their child’s water bottle in the car and some type of snack with them in the car. So as they get in the car, they hand it to them. Amy: Do not speak. Eat this. Terumi: Or anyone can melt down. Please eat this food and drink this water and are coming back going. That was game changing. Amy: And it’s so silly, right? Like I find that all the time. I have one specific child and he’s I’m sorry that I was hangry yesterday. He can’t even think straight. He’s losing his mind. And I’m like, let’s just get you some blah, blah, blah, going crazy. Finally the next day he’s i’m so hard. Sorry that I was hangry. I’m like yes you were. Thank you for recognizing it now. But it is simple, but it really matters. It really does. Terumi: it really does. And families have come back saying, okay, I’ve tried this. Oh, have you tried this particular type of water bottle? And it’s working with kids of all ages just to meet those really basic Amy: Yeah. Terumi: And being aware of those timeframes. Have they moved their body in the last two hours? Don’t make ’em sit down and do homework right after school until you’ve gotten a snack in them and they’ve moved their body Amy: Yeah. Terumi: because. They’ve just been so pent up for so long. Sitting in a classroom, they are gonna struggle unless you get them hydrated, get their blood sugar, get meet those sensory needs if moving their body, it’s gonna go a whole lot smoother after school. Amy: Yeah, and I think that’s what you were talking about with TBRI. There are tangible things to do. Do this, then do this and yes, it’s a lot of things, right? As a parent, we’re like we just wanna snap our fingers and have it magically work. But this is not that there’s no snapping of fingers, but there is actual steps and information and. Things you can do, which I as a parent really appreciate because so many times it’s just do, just be a better parent and they’ll be better, so I really appreciate that aspect of TBRI. Terumi: And I love, I truly, every time I teach it, I’m like, oh, I should try that too. My kids are all young adults now, but I still like. Amy: probably even more reason to try it. Terumi: We should go back and try this, or maybe in that next conversation I have with that child, I can do this to reconnect with them to help have influence. They’re young adults. I’m not gonna be changing their minds on certain things, but I can have influence still, and I’m still using these principles. I’m still. Every time I take it, I learn something new and I try something new. And that’s the other thing that I’ve told parents every time they take the TBRI courses come back, you’re going to learn something new. You’re going to have a new insight with a different relationship. This is going to be helping you with Amy: And relationships are always evolving and changing mean you always have stronger or weaker ones or new ones, so there’s always something that can be worked on with somebody. At least for me, this is just, there’s just so many options really. Terumi: Exactly. Amy: Oh, I love that. I have enjoyed taking the TBRI course. I should absolutely take it again ’cause I’m in new stages of life and new things. But I really appreciate you sharing all of this information. It’s beyond helpful for listeners. Yeah. Terumi: The opportunity. Amy: Yes. No, it really is great. So we will just refer listeners to Utah foster care.org if they want to learn more or to sign up to take one of the courses. Thanks for joining us, Terumi. Terumi: Thank you. Amy: Thanks for joining us for Fostering Conversations. I’m your host, Amy Smith. To learn more, head over to Utah foster care.org.

A teenage boy showed up for a routine school check-in in Brookville, Pennsylvania.Staff hadn't seen him in person for over a year, and what they saw stopped everything.He weighed just 79 pounds, was wearing a diaper, and showed signs of severe malnutrition and abuse.What investigators uncovered next left even the most seasoned of police officers shook.Listen to the case of Sarah Faber**************************************Do you have thoughts about this case, or is there a specific true crime case you'd like to hear about? Let me know with an email or a voice message: https://murderandlove.com/contactFind the sources used in this episode and learn more about how to support Love and Murder: Heartbreak to Homicide and gain access to even more cases, including bonus episodes, ad-free and intro-free cases, case files and more at: https://murderandlove.comMusic:℗ lesfreemusicBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/love-and-murder-heartbreak-to-homicide--4348896/support.

Christians consider Jesus the Son of God. However, most Christians understand Joseph to be a true father in every way except biological, since Joseph was the legal father who raised Jesus. Ee52. Hearing Jesus podcast available at https://amzn.to/3QLEpee Super Saints podcast available at https://amzn.to/46spnjl Consecration to St. Joseph by D.H. Calloway at https://amzn.to/47m4MOJ Gospel of Matthew available at https://amzn.to/3sxXmZS ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Mark's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: Hearing Jesus podcast with Rachael Groll, episode 378: Joseph’s Obedient Journey (Life Audio, Salem Web Network); Super Saints podcast with Bob and Penny Lord by Brother Joseph; Saint Of The Day podcast with Mike Roberts by Covenant Network (ourcatholicradio.org). All audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.What is it like to be the only biological child in a large transracial adoptive family? Our guest, Elaine Duncan, shares her story of how transcultural adoption impacted her identity and resilience. She is a writer, speaker, and strategist whose work bridges storytelling, healing, and social change. She has a passion for improving outcomes for underserved young people and is currently working on a memoir of her life journey.In this episode, we discuss: What did your home look like growing up, and what was it like for you to be the only biological child in a transracial/transcultural adoptive family?Families who adopt across race or culture often wonder how to bring all of those differences together under one roof. How did your family handle conversations about race, culture, and identity?  Were these things openly acknowledged, celebrated, or avoided?How did your parents support (or struggle to support) you in building your own sense of identity — not just as their child, but as an individual?Did you ever feel overlooked or lost in the mix? How could parents avoid that happening for their kids?What were some of the biggest challenges you carried from growing up in this transracial/transcultural adoptive family?How have those challenges shaped your adult life, relationships, or even your current work?What are the gifts or strengths you gained from growing up in such a diverse family?Are there ways your unique upbringing has given you perspective, resilience, or empathy that you now value?Additional Resources:Intergenerational Trauma (podcast)The Impact of Fostering & Adoption on Kids Already in the Family (free on-demand course)Raising a Transracial or Multicultural Child (resource page)Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

Adoptive parents and an adoptee discuss the information and resources that can help most.

December 5, 2025 ~ George Hunter, with the Detroit News joins Marie Osborne to discuss the Rebecca Park case and talk about how the adoptive mom of the pregnant Wexford victim tried to protect her. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Investigators say the victim, Kennedy Schroer, was born as Natalie Garcia in 2014 and adopted by the Schroers in 2019. Her remains were found in September 2024 after police dug up the backyard of the couple’s home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adoption is a unique experience, both enriching and challenging. Adoptive parents Dawn and Truman share how their practical, actionable strategies and lots of compassion for themselves and their children helped them navigate unique challenges, reduce stress, and create a calmer, more connected home life. From attachment to education, this conversation will help keep your world manageable. We’ll also talk about how they created a Family Appointment Book and how this resource can save the day!   https://www.amazon.com/Family-Appointment-Book-Families-Reunification/dp/B0B4K4WJ32 (34 mins) December 3, 2025 This podcast is eligible for a Certificate of Completion if you complete a Post Podcast Test Test The post Practical Parenting for Adoptive Families (including holiday tips)   appeared first on Foster Adopt Minnesota.

In this episode of Crime Bit with Danelle Hallan, we examine the disappearance of Courtney Holden, a young mother whose quiet life inside a troubled Spokane home hid a much darker reality. What seemed like an ordinary family arrangement slowly revealed signs of control, neglect, and a truth no one expected.As investigators traced Courtney's last known movements, conflicting stories, missing records, and unanswered questions exposed a pattern of isolation that had gone unnoticed for years. Her case raised alarm and heartbreak throughout the community as hope for answers faded.How did a mother vanish without a trace in a house full of people?Join us as we uncover the story of Courtney Holden on Crime Bit with Danelle Hallan.

Children in foster or adoptive care often carry invisible burdens of anxiety, trauma, or disconnection. In this episode, children's mindfulness teacher Veronica Moya shares how soul-centered practices can help kids tap into resilience, self-love, and emotional intelligence. With practical tools and a fresh perspective, Veronica shows how mindfulness is not therapy, but mental hygiene that helps every child feel at home in themselves. (34 mins) November 19, 2025 This podcast is eligible for a Certificate of Completion if you complete a Post Podcast Test Test The post Mindful Kids: Helping Foster & Adoptive Children Build Emotional Strength appeared first on Foster Adopt Minnesota.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney engage with Pam Bauer, a mother of 14 adopted children, to discuss the complexities of adoption, grief, and parenting. Pam shares her insights on the challenges of raising a large family, the importance of addressing grief in adopted children, and the need for open conversations about their birth families. The discussion emphasizes the significance of understanding loss, building connections, and providing emotional support to adopted children as they navigate their unique journeys.TakeawaysAdopted children often experience grief related to their biological families.Grief can be an opportunity for attachment and healing.Open conversations about adoption are crucial for children's understanding.Children may feel divided loyalties between adoptive and biological parents.Rituals can help children process their grief and loss.Understanding emotions and body language is essential in parenting adopted children.Grief is a lifelong journey that evolves over time.Adoptive parents should encourage their children to express their feelings.Children need to know they are loved and valued regardless of their background.It's important to recognize the mixed emotions surrounding adoption.Whether you're considering becoming a foster parent or just want to better understand the adoption ecosystem, this conversation offers wisdom, hope, and practical insight from someone who's lived it out for decades.

This November, Fostering Change continues our special series for National Adoption Awareness Month, celebrating families formed through adoption and raising awareness about the unique needs of children in foster and kinship care.Throughout the month, we're spotlighting extraordinary advocates, educators, and parents who are helping every child feel safe, seen, and supported.We also invite you to join Comfort Cases' 2nd Annual “Coats for a Cause” Drive, hosted by CNN's Laura Coates.Our goal is to collect 500 brand-new coats for youth in need this winter.Every coat donated provides warmth, dignity, and comfort to a child or teen who needs it most.Learn more and get involved at: https://www.comfortcases.org/lauracoates

Restore is committed to supporting and encouraging Foster, Adoptive, and Relative Caregiver families in addition to supporting and encouraging similar agencies in the Greater Wenatchee Valley and beyond.

In this episode of LaidOPEN Podcast, Charna talks with Dr. Chelsey Hague-Zavaleta, an expert in applied educational neuroscience and social–emotional learning. Together, they explore what it really means to raise calm, connected kids — and how to do it without losing your mind (or yourself) in the process. They unpack the science of co-regulation, discuss the difference between gentle and authoritative parenting, and share practical tools for managing stress behaviors and creating family balance. Dr. Chelsey offers compassionate insights for parents, teachers, and caregivers looking to build calmer, more cooperative relationships with children, and with themselves. Charna also introduces her upcoming group program designed to help parents and individuals deepen their self-regulation and embodiment practices. "When we learn to regulate ourselves, our children learn safety through us." — Dr. Chelsey Hague-Zavaleta Show Notes:  00:00 Introduction and Personal Wish for Parenting 00:53 Introducing Dr. Chelsey and Her Expertise 02:41 Chelsey's Journey and Parenting Course 05:13 Parenting Challenges and Co-Regulation 07:45 Gentle Parenting vs. Authoritative Approach 15:54 Tone and Nonverbal Communication in Parenting 20:54 Handling Parental Preferences and Boundaries 30:17 The Ineffectiveness of Negative Commands 30:51 Positive Framing in Parenting 32:38 Intervening Before Explosions 34:04 Handling Stress Behaviors 35:21 Challenges of Co-Parenting and Transitions 37:57 Adoptive and Foster Parenting 45:09 Embodiment and Raising Self-Aware Children 53:22 The Power of Praise and Positive Reinforcement 56:11 Conclusion and Resources ✨ Subscribe to LaidOPEN for more conversations about intimacy, self-regulation, and the science of connection.

Jeff welcomes back Mike Worley and Steve Ringelspaugh of Beautiful Redemption – “Connecting Kids in Crisis To a Community that Cares.” Through Care Portal, Beautiful Redemption has served over 33,000 children with $11 million dollars of impact!! www.beautifulredemption.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the story of a three-year-old girl and the highest court in the land. The Supreme Court case Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl is a legal battle that has entangled a biological father, a heart-broken couple, and the tragic history of Native American children taken from their families. We originally released this story back in 2013, when that girl's fate was still in the balance of various legal decisions. We thought now was a good time to bring the story back, because the Act at the center of the story is still being questioned.When then-producer Tim Howard first read about this case, it struck him as a sad but seemingly straightforward custody dispute. But, as he started talking to lawyers and historians and the families involved in the case, it became clear that it was much more than that. Because Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl challenges parts of the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act, this case puts one little girl at the center of a storm of legal intricacies, Native American tribal culture, and heart-wrenching personal stakes.LATERAL CUTS:What Up Holmes?The GatekeeperEPISODE CREDITS:Reported by - Tim HowardProduced by - Tim HowardEPISODE CITATIONS (so many):Background and Reporting from a range of different perspectives"Couple forced to give up daughter"An introductory article by Allyson Bird, for the Charleston, SC Post and Courier"Supreme Court Takes on Indian Child Welfare Act in Baby Veronica Case" A report for Indian Country Today by Suzette Brewer, who has also written a two-part series on the case."Supreme Court hears Indian child custody case"Tulsa World article by Michael Overall which includes Dusten Brown's account of his break-up with Veronica's mother, and his understanding about his custodial rights. Plus photos of Dusten, Veronica, and Dusten's wife Robin in their Oklahoma home_._Randi Kaye's report for CNN on the background of the case, and interviews with Melanie and Matt Capobianco: "Video: Adoption custody battle for Veronica"Nina Totenberg's report for NPR: "Adoption Case Brings Rare Family Law Dispute To High Court"Reporting by NPR's Laura Sullivan and Amy Walters on current ICWA violations in South Dakota.Dr. Phil's coverage: "Adoption Controversy: Battle over Baby Veronica"Analysis and EditorialsOp-ed by Veronica's birth mom, Christy Maldonado, in the Washington Post: "Baby Veronica belongs with her adoptive parents"Colorlines report "The Cherokee Nation's Baby Girl Goes on Trial:"Americans remain dangerously uninformed about the basics of tribal sovereignty, and what it means for the relationship between the United States and Native tribes and nations.The Weekly Standard's Ethan Epstein argues that ICWA is "being used to tear [families] apart]: "Mistreating Native American Children"Andrew Cohen considers the trickier legal aspects of the case for the Atlantic in "Indian Affairs, Adoption, and Race: The Baby Veronica Case Comes to Washington:"A little girl is at the heart of a big case at the Supreme Court next week, a racially-tinged fight over Native American rights and state custody laws.Marcia Zug's breakdown of the case (Marica Zug is an associate professor of law at the University of South Carolina School of Law who she specializes in family and American Indian law) "Doing What's Best for the Tribe" for Slate:Two-year-old “Baby Veronica” was ripped from the only home she's known. The court made the right decision.Marcia Zug for the Michigan Law Review: "Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl: Two-and-a-Half WAys To Destroy Indian Law"From Walter Olson, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute's Center for Constitutional Studies: "The Constitutional Flaws of the Indian Child Welfare Act"Rapid City Journal columnist David Rooks poses a set of tough questions about ICWA: "ROOKS: Questions unasked, unanswered"Editorial coverage from The New York Times:"A Wrenching Adoption Case""Adoptive Parents vs. Tribal Rights"Contemporary, Historic, and Legal Source MaterialsAdoptive Couple v. Baby Girl on the SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) BlogAudio from the oral arguments in the Supreme CourtOfficial website for ICWA (the federal Indian Child Welfare Act)1974 Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Indian Affairs "on problems that American Indian families face in raising their children and how these problems are affected by federal action or inaction." PDFThe National Indian Child Welfare AssociationThe First Nations Repatriation Institute, which works with and does advocacy for adopteesSignup for our newsletter!! It includes short essays, recommendations, and details about other ways to interact with the show. Sign up (https://radiolab.org/newsletter)!Radiolab is supported by listeners like you. Support Radiolab by becoming a member of The Lab (https://members.radiolab.org/) today.Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @radiolab, and share your thoughts with us by emailing radiolab@wnyc.org.Leadership support for Radiolab's science programming is provided by the Simons Foundation and the John Templeton Foundation. Foundational support for Radiolab was provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Welcome to the What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting podcast. I'm Christine Marie — adoptive mom, former foster parent, and biblical mindset coach. Whether you're in the early stages of foster care, navigating adoption, or standing in a season of unknowns — this space was created for you. Today's episode is different. It's not polished or perfectly planned — it's real. It's raw. It's what I'm walking through right now. Last night, my daughter chose to leave. And after years of fighting, praying, loving, and believing for healing, I came to a place I never thought I'd be: surrender. Not because I stopped loving her — but because love doesn't force. Love releases. Love trusts. This episode is a reflection on what it means to surrender your child to God when nothing makes sense. It's for the mama who's exhausted. The one who's grieving. The one who has done everything “right” and still feels like it's falling apart. If you've ever had to release control, grieve what could have been, or trust God with the child you love — I pray this message meets you in that sacred space. ☕ Grab your coffee and settle in — this one will stretch you, strengthen you, and remind you why love is always worth it.   XO-Christine

NYPTI Rocks Hearsay - Song based off New York Guide to Evidence https://www.nycourts.gov/judges/evidence/8-HEARSAY/8.05_ADMISSION_BY_ADOPTED_STATEMENT.pdf Adopted Admission

In this episode, coach Bonnie Butler is back to share her experience working with foster and adoptive families navigating the emotional complexities of parenting children from hard places. The conversation dives into the often-overlooked grief and trauma that can resurface during the holidays, even in seemingly “settled” children. Bonnie offers insights into regulating expectations, recognizing behavioral changes in kids, and creating personalized, joy-filled holidays. She also shares a powerful story about how a front yard Christmas tree forest became a symbol of healing, joy, and connection. The episode closes with information about her free upcoming summit and a new guided journal to support families at life's crossroads.   For more information about Bonnie and for links to access all she has to offer, please click HERE! To watch this interview on YouTube, go HERE. Link to Bonnie's Summit HERE For more information and available downloads, go to: https://ldslifecoaches.com/ All content is copyrighted to Heather Rackham and featured coaches. Do not use without permission.  

How do you navigate through the fog of life? I would like to suggest you consider relying on Someone with a better vantage point ✨. Someone who can shine the light on your path. Hi Neighbor, Adoptive life can feel foggy, uncertain, and overwhelming. Sometimes the best way forward is to slow down, trust a higher perspective

Lane Igoudin, Ph.D., is the author of A Family, Maybe, a journey through foster adoptions to fatherhood (Ooligan Press, Portland State University, 2024). He has written extensively on foster adoption, parenting, and LGBTQ families for Adoption.com, Forward, Jewish Journal, LGBTQ Nation, and Parabola and spoken about his book on NBC's “Daytime” show, syndicated radio shows, literary and parenting podcasts, as well as to live audiences on his 12-stop 2024 book tour. A Family, Maybe received endorsements from US Congressman Alan Lowenthal, California Senator Sheila Kuehl, Rita Soronen, President & CEO of Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, bestselling writers like Janet Fitch and Greta Boris, parenting experts, and social work professionals. Lane is professor of English and linguistics at Los Angeles City College. For more information about Lane's foster adoptive memoir A Family, Maybe, please visit https://laneigoudin.com/afm/. Want to be a guest on Unconditioning: Discovering the Voice Within? Send Whitney Ann Jenkins a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1631293280445x277643368444412160

Sometimes, the best evidence to support your subrogation case are records that were created by another company.  Will a court permit these records to be introduced, or are they destined to be barred by the hearsay rule?  Thankfully, the Business Records Doctrine allows a company to enter records previously created by an outside entity into  evidence to prove their case. On this week's episode, Rebecca and Steve discuss what is required to properly introduce these records and how much they can influence a case. Whether invoices, emails or reports from others, find out how these records can become an influential part of a case, and how to determine if your records have the requisite indicia of trustworthiness.

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.What should you look for when you are considering therapy for your child or your family? How do you find the right fit for your child's needs? We talk today with Kelly Raudenbush, Executive Director of The Sparrow Fund, a non-profit that provides therapeutic services for foster and adoptive children and their grown-ups. She is a child and family therapist with an MA degree in counseling and a certificate in clinical infant and early childhood mental health. She's also an adoptive mom.In this episode, we discuss:What are some of the common reasons families seek therapy for their child or family unit? When is it time to seek a therapist?What types of professionals can provide therapy?Is there a difference between therapy and counseling? What makes a therapist trauma-informed?What's the difference between being adoption-competent and adoption-informed?What should parents look for to determine if a potential therapist is competent to handle the trauma, adoption, or foster issues they are facing?Where can parents or caregivers go to find a therapist with the lived experience of being adopted? What might the benefits be in seeking a therapist with this lived experience?Can you list the more common therapeutic models of treatment that adoptive, foster, or relative caregiver families might consider? When should therapy with our kids involve just the child, or the child and the parent? What questions can parents or caregivers ask to determine if the therapist is a good fit for the child and family? Are there additional or specific considerations for therapy that should be addressed if our child has experienced sexual abuse?What is home-based therapy and what are the advantages to this type of therapy for adoptive, foster, or relative caregiving families?Is therapy via tele-health or via teleconferencing as effective as in-person for our families? Additional Resources:Therapy Resources for Adoptive, Foster, and Kinship FamiliesAdoptee and Foster Alumni VoicesTherapists: Parents Should Be With Their Kids for Adoptive or Foster Therapy SessionsA Guide to Selecting An Adoption Or Foster TherapistFamily Centered Treatment Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

“By the time he left, I felt like I was close to a mental breakdown. And I would tell my husband over and over, I can't do this long, much longer. I just can't.  You know, I would go sit in the Walmart parking lot for three hours until he went to bed. And so I was avoiding my whole family. That affected my husband because here my husband is supposed to be my protector, but legally he can't protect me against this thirteen-year-old who's constantly verbally abusing me.” Hi Neighbor, Navigating the complexities of parenting a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is a journey few understand, yet many adoptive parents endure in silence.  In this episode, I sit down with Karen, an adoptive mother of six and a survivor of the extraordinary challenges RAD can bring to a family. Her vulnerability is a reminder that while this path is isolating, hope and healing are possible. RAD is a daily battle that can reshape a family. In Karen, we see what it means to survive, to keep going, and to find strength through connection and support. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. You're not alone in this journey! I've set aside a limited number of free spots on a first come, first served basis and I'd love for you to be a part of it. To schedule a time with me, just email me tim@anchorsofencouragement.com If you haven't joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It's a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

If the college admissions process feels overwhelming… you're not alone. And if you're a foster or adoptive parent? There are even more layers to navigate. This week on What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting, I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Cynthia Nash, a college admissions and financial aid coach with over 20 years of experience at top-tier universities like Northwestern and Vanderbilt- and friend, this conversation is packed with gold. Cynthia has helped students earn millions in scholarships and grants, including: • Five students admitted to Vanderbilt- four on full rides • Three students at Johns Hopkins- two attending completely free • A Posse Scholar at Middlebury- with all four years fully covered And that's just the beginning. Whether you're parenting a child from foster care, adoption, or not—you'll walk away from this episode equipped with tools and insight to help your teen step into a future they didn't think was possible. In this episode, we talk about: • How to navigate the college admissions process with clarity • How foster and adoptive kids need different support • Where to find scholarships and financial aid that most families miss • The power of vision, mentorship, and strategy in shaping a child's future • And why education can be one of the most powerful generational tools of healing Whether your child is in 9th grade or nearing graduation- this episode will give you real steps, renewed hope, and a fresh vision for what's possible. Now, grab your cup of coffee, get comfy, and let's dig in! XO, Christine Marie

Do Adopted Kids Struggle More? Part #1 #460Parents often believe if you adopt a child from birth and provide a loving home, that will mitigate most issues. It doesn't usually work that way. There is no judgment here. Just the reality that trauma triggers different issues. That can manifest in kids with an insatiable craving for intensity, sensory pressure, connection, food, and things. Adoptive parents should not feel guilty or alone when their kids struggle. Please share this with support groups and other adoptive parents who need both encouragement and practical tools to help the kids they love so much.Our Black Friday in March Sale Ends This Weekend! Visit https://celebratecalm.com/black-friday/ to get the lowest prices of the year and hundreds of practical strategies that really work with your strong-willed kids.AG1AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You'll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3 & K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. Go to https://drinkag1.com/calmHAPPY MAMMOTHGet 15% off on your entire first order at https://HappyMammoth.com with the code CALM at checkout. ONE SKINGo to https://oneskin.co and use code KIRK at checkout for an exclusive 15% off your first purchase.COZY EARTHWrap yourself and your kids in Cozy Earth luxury…with 40% OFF! Visit https://cozyearth.com/ and use my exclusive 40% off code CALM. HUNGRYROOTGet 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to https://hungryroot.com/ and use code CALM.IXL LEARNINGGet an exclusive 20% off an IXL membership when you sign up today at https://IXL.com/KIRK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do Adopted Kids Struggle More? Part #1 #460 Parents often believe if you adopt a child from birth and provide a loving home, that will mitigate most issues. It doesn't usually work that way. There is no judgment here. Just the reality that trauma triggers different issues. That can manifest in kids with an insatiable craving for intensity, sensory pressure, connection, food, and things. Adoptive parents should not feel guilty or alone when their kids struggle. Please share this with support groups and other adoptive parents who need both encouragement and practical tools to help the kids they love so much. Our Black Friday in March Sale Ends This Weekend! Visit https://celebratecalm.com/black-friday/ to get the lowest prices of the year and hundreds of practical strategies that really work with your strong-willed kids. AG1 AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You'll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3 & K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. Go to https://drinkag1.com/calm HAPPY MAMMOTH Get 15% off on your entire first order at https://HappyMammoth.com with the code CALM at checkout.  ONE SKIN Go to https://oneskin.co and use code KIRK at checkout for an exclusive 15% off your first purchase. COZY EARTH Wrap yourself and your kids in Cozy Earth luxury…with 40% OFF! Visit https://cozyearth.com/ and use my exclusive 40% off code CALM.  HUNGRYROOT Get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to https://hungryroot.com/ and use code CALM. IXL LEARNING Get an exclusive 20% off an IXL membership when you sign up today at https://IXL.com/KIRK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices