Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster & Kinship Care
By: Creating a Family
Language: en
Categories: Kids, Family, Parenting, Business, Non-profit
Are you thinking about adopting or fostering a child? Confused about all the options and wondering where to begin? Or are you an adoptive or foster parent or kinship caregiver trying to be the best parent possible to this precious child? This is the podcast for you! Every week, we interview leading experts for an hour, discussing the topics you care about in deciding whether to adopt/foster or how to be a better parent. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are the national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and...
Episodes
What If My Partner Doesn't Want to Adopt? - Weekend Wisdom
Jan 10, 2026Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: How do you deal with the emotions of not being able to adopt or foster because your husband doesn't share the desire?
Resources:
A Reluctant Spouse: When Only One Partner Wants to AdoptI Want to Adopt. My Partner Does Not.Creating a Family Online Support GroupSupport the show
Please leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to s...
Duration: 00:15:12How to Adopt in 2026
Jan 07, 2026Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you considering adoption to create your family this year? We’ve got answers to all (or most) of your questions. Join our discussion with Molly Berger, MSW, who has been with the Adoption Center of Illinois for 12 years as an adoption social worker. She counts it an honor to work with adoptive families and expectant parents.
In this episode, we discuss:
Part 1: Domestic Infant Private Adoption in the US
What is the process?What ar... Duration: 00:49:46My Adopted Child Is Rejecting Me - Weekend Wisdom
Jan 03, 2026Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: Hello, thank you sincerely for your podcast and the work you do. It has helped me feel less alone and allowed me to better navigate foster parenting and adopting from foster care. My husband and I have two amazing boys; they have the same bio mom, and two older siblings each in a different family. Our youngest is 5. We met when he was 3 months. Our oldest is 8. We met when he was 3. He was removed at birth, then placed with his b...
Duration: 00:18:02Rituals to Build Strong Families
Dec 31, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Join us to learn about family rituals—how to create and why they can help build strong families. Our guest will be Elizabeth Barbour, the author of a new book, Sacred Celebrations: Designing Rituals to Navigate Life’s Milestone Transitions. She’s also a reunited adoptee and an adoptive mom.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why are rituals important for families? Define the culture of family-this is who we areThis is what we doWhat’s the difference between rituals and routi... Duration: 00:46:54Should We Let Our Adopted Babies Cry It Out? - Weekend Wisdom
Dec 27, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: We have been matched with an expectant mom due in a couple of months. She is having twins. As we are preparing for the next steps, sleep training has come up frequently in newborn care books. What research is there on the cry-it-out method or other popular sleep training methods in relation to adopted children? We want to make sure they know their needs will be met and build a strong adoption bond, but we also want to eventually work towards...
Duration: 00:18:53Healing & Strengthening Your Family Dynamics
Dec 24, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you looking for practical ways to build your child's resilience and sense of safety, and to strengthen your family's connectedness? Listen to this conversation with Ginger Healy, MSW, LCSW, director of programs for the Attachment & Trauma Network and host of the podcast “Regulated and Relational.” Ginger speaks across the nation on trauma-informed schools, therapeutic parenting, and community engagement.
In this episode, we discuss:
What made you decide to write a book for educators?What were you observing about chil... Duration: 00:54:34Adoptive Parent Profiles, But for Foster Care Adoption - Weekend Wisdom
Dec 20, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: I would love to hear about family profiles for adopting older teens.
Resources:
Adopting a Child of a Different Race or CultureAdopting Older KidsEvaluating Risk Factors in Foster Care AdoptionSupport the show
Please 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...
Between Cultures: One Transcultural Adoptive Family's Story
Dec 17, 2025Click 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 l... Duration: 00:54:49Expert Advice for Handling Sexual Abuse by a Sibling - Weekend Wisdom
Dec 13, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: I have a friend whose 12-year-old adopted son (adopted at age 6) has been sexually abusing his younger siblings. She self-reported to CPS and law enforcement, but they have not done a formal removal yet, and their solutions involved bringing the child back home or kinship (not an option).
The offending child is currently in a temporary behavioral hospital, and a Refusal to Assume Parental Responsibility was opened on my friend because she will not pick him up, especially not unt...
Duration: 00:05:28Introducing Our New Executive Director, Linda Fiore
Dec 10, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
We're thrilled to introduce you to our new Executive Director, Linda Fiore. Listen to today's conversation about her journey to Creating a Family and where we're heading in this next chapter under her leadership.
In this episode, we discuss:
What first brought you into the world of adoption, foster care, and kinship care?When you started out, what was your “why”?What values or goals drove your work in those earliest years?What was your first introduction to Creating a Fa... Duration: 00:45:38Help! My Foster Child Is Being Bullied! - Weekend Wisdom
Dec 06, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: Help for a youth dealing with being bullied because they are in foster care?
Resources:
5 Steps to Effectively Advocate for a Child Who is Being BulliedAre Transracial Adoptees More Likely to Be Bullied?Helping Our Kids Cope with Bullies at SchoolStopBullying.govSupport the show
Please 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...
Duration: 00:12:33Healing Your History to Help Your Kids Heal Theirs with Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, Ph.D.
Dec 03, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Do you feel like raising a child with a history of trauma has stirred up your own traumatic past? If you wonder how to parent from a position of healing, listen to this conversation with Dr. Robyn Koslowitz. She is a psychologist, trauma expert, and author of the new book, Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle, Become the Parent You Always Wanted to Be.
In this episode, we discuss:
You open your book by saying, ‘It’s not you, it’s your... Duration: 00:58:01Am I Right in Not Letting My Grandchild's Mom Visit? - Weekend Wisdom
Nov 29, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: I have been fostering our grandchild since March. It is now almost September. Both biological parents had drug addiction. Bio mom was on a trial home visit, but used this as the reason our grandchild is with us. After the trial home visit ended, bio mom was still getting supervised visits 2x a week. After every visit, the little one was dysregulated and started biting and hitting the daycare kiddos and the provider, and would also act out towards us. She...
Duration: 00:18:28A Conversation with Emily Cole from Bananas Foster
Nov 26, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Join us for a fun and inspiring conversation with Emily Cole, co-founder and co-owner of Banana Ball, the new sports phenomenon sweeping the country. We're talking with her about Bananas Foster, their non-profit that celebrates foster families all around the nation.
In this episode, we talk about:
Please tell us the story of how Bananas Foster got started.What was happening in your life that made you say, “We need to do something for foster families”?What was the bigg... Duration: 00:32:31Tips for Transitioning a Child from Foster Care to Adoption - Weekend Wisdom
Nov 22, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: Do you have trainings for children transitioning from foster care to adoption?
Resources:
Transitioning a Child to Your HomeWelcoming an Older Child to Your FamilyHelping Your Child Transition Smoothly from Foster Care to AdoptionUsing Lifebooks to Explain Complex Issues in Adoption to KidsBooks about being adopted from foster careSupport the show
Please leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with...
Duration: 00:19:29Taking Care of Yourself When Parenting Harder to Parent Kids
Nov 19, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Do you sometimes feel that self-care is an impossible goal when you are parenting kids who have experienced trauma? There isn’t enough time in the day to do it all, much less take care of yourself. Or is there? Join us to talk about how to find time to take care of yourself. We will talk with Angelica Jones, MSW, Program Director of Intercountry Services and the Intensive Service Foster Care Recruiter and Trainer at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services.
...
Duration: 00:37:52Open Adoption and Healthy Boundaries - Weekend Wisdom
Nov 15, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: We adopted our son at birth, and he is about to turn one already. I deeply care about his birth parents and have tried very hard to maintain a relationship with them. Even during many months of no contact, I think about them every day. Our only post-placement visit with them was at 2 1/2 months. They have no-showed for all the other visits they asked for, and have gone several months at a time without responding to contact. They missed a visit 2 w...
Duration: 00:13:07Navigating the Holidays With a Trauma-Sensitive Approach
Nov 12, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Why do our kids melt down, act out, or regress during the holiday season? Listen to our conversation with Dr. David Adams to learn what is going on and what you can do about it to make this holiday season more enjoyable for you all. He is an adoptive and foster dad, a licensed psychologist, and a licensed professional counselor. He is the Founding Director and President of New Life Psychology Group in Laguna Hills, California, and an expert trainer of Foster and Kinship...
Duration: 00:58:49My Child's Birth Parent Contacted My Child - Weekend Wisdom
Nov 08, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: My adoptive child was contacted by the birth mother, never contacted us, it has caused chaos in our family. The parents that adopt kids are never considered after raising a child for over 20 years to give them back.
Resources:
Adoptive Mom Feels Left Out at Son’s Reunion with Birth MotherWhat You Need to Know about Open Adoption5 Tips for Navigating Sticky Situations with Birth ParentsAdvice to My Pre-Adoptive Parent SelfSupport the show
P...
Duration: 00:16:51Sleep Issues with Adopted, Foster, or Relative Children
Nov 05, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
How do you handle sleep struggles when raising a child who has been impacted by trauma, prenatal substance exposure, or other challenges? Listen to our conversation with Dr. Chris Winter, a sleep researcher and neurologist who has practiced sleep medicine and neurology since 2004. He is also the author of The Rested Child: Why Your Tired, Wired or Irritable Child May Have A Sleep Disorder--And How To Help, and hosts the podcast Sleep Unplugged with Dr. Chris Winter.
In this episode, we...
Duration: 01:03:15Supporting a Child Who is a People Pleaser - Weekend Wisdom
Nov 01, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: How should I deal with an adoptive child with a people-pleasing personality? I want to prevent the anxiety that comes with that, but I'm not sure how.
Resources:
6 Tips for Creating AttachmentHow to Cultivate Resilience in Your Kids7 Character Traits Your Kids Need to ThriveSigns Your Child Might Be People Pleasing and How to HelpSupport the show
Please leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We...
Duration: 00:15:45Practical Financial Strategies for Foster & Kinship Families
Oct 29, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
How do you manage daily expenses and budgeting when you are a foster or kinship caregiving family? We speak with Nicole Valenzuela, a foster parent and founder of Fostering Finances, to learn about simplified budgeting practices and healthy mindsets for managing money.
In this episode, we discuss:
What are the financial challenges that foster and kinship families commonly face?How do those challenges differ between kinship caregivers and licensed foster parents?Are there particular challenges for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC... Duration: 00:51:22Should We Expand Our Special Needs Checklist to Include HIV? - Weekend Wisdom
Oct 25, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: My husband and I are considering whether we will open our special needs consideration to include children who are HIV+. We have already been approved to adopt from India, and as our home study update approaches, we are taking a good, hard look at the Special Needs list again. I was listening to your podcast episode on this topic from 2013 and wondered if this was worth an updated episode? Has much changed for families living with HIV?
Resources:<...
Duration: 00:12:32Preventing Sexual Abuse
Oct 22, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
What strategies can parents and caregivers implement in their homes to help reduce the risk that their children may be sexually abused? Learn practical parenting tools from this conversation with Dr. Eliana Gil, the founder of the Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery and Education. She specializes in the assessment and treatment of trauma in children, especially those who have been sexually abused.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why should adoptive and foster parents and relative caregivers learn about the... Duration: 01:01:52Navigating Time Off from Work to Bond with a Newly Adopted Child
Oct 18, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: My husband and I are in the process of adopting a waiting child internationally. This is our first adoption and we will soon be waiting to be matched with a child. I teach in higher education and my schedule is coordinated about nine months out. I am working with my supervisors to try and make sure my schedule for the next year is flexible to account for uncertain adoption timing. It has been so difficult to try and navigate this with...
Duration: 00:16:16Understanding Resilience and How to Build It
Oct 15, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Resilience is more than just bouncing back from a challenge. Join us for a conversation about building resilience in ourselves and our kids, understanding coping tools, and caring well for ourselves while raising kids who may have significant gaps in their resilience. We talk with Kathleen Harnish McKune and her sister, Karen Dickson from Remarkably Resilient, Inc., a non-profit organization committed to partnering to empower healing from trauma.
In this episode, we cover:
How do you define resilience? What d... Duration: 01:02:54Is It Too Soon to Look Through Foster Photo Listings? - Weekend Wisdom
Oct 11, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: We are currently going through our home study to adopt from foster care, and I'm wondering if it is too early to look at photo listings? I have been looking at photo listings for a long time, but now, when I read the bios, it feels real, and I get slightly attached. I'm curious if you think this is setting myself up for disappointment.
Resources:
Adoptions in the US – Our Annual UpdateAdoption Comparison ChartsFoster Care AdoptionDealing wit... Duration: 00:18:08Is My Child At Risk for Human Trafficking?
Oct 08, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
What is human trafficking? Is your child at increased risk of being trafficked? Listen to this conversation with guests Dr. Yolanda Montgomery, a nurse, advocate, and the founder of Zoë Ministries, a nonprofit established in 2012 to combat human trafficking in Delaware and beyond, and Sara Poore, the Executive Director of the Delaware Anti-Trafficking Action Council (DATAC), leading statewide efforts to prevent human trafficking, support survivors, and strengthen community partnerships.
In this episode, we discuss:
What is human trafficking, and h... Duration: 01:07:27When You Don't Know Your Child's Racial or Cultural Heritage - Weekend Wisdom
Oct 04, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: We very recently brought home our second child through domestic infant adoption. We feel very fortunate, and our son is developing well; we are also settling into the new routine. We matched with our Son's birth mother through a local agency, and unfortunately, she decided that she did not want to meet us. She gave no information about the biological father. We know she was caucasian, but honestly, it is unclear whether our son is entirely caucasian or not. The pediatrician sai...
Duration: 00:15:10Tweens and Teens: Managing Tech & Mental Health
Oct 01, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Do you worry about the impacts that screen time, social media, or gaming have on your tween and teens' mental health? We spoke to Brittany Anderson, an author, certified play and narrative intelligence practitioner, and the founder of Renala, which helps families become creative, vision-driven leaders—beginning at home.
In this episode, we discuss:
What are the most common concerns that parents and caregivers have about their tween or teen’s tech use?Are those concerns more about the amou... Duration: 01:01:22My Child's Disrespect and Disobedience is Creating Resentment - Weekend Wisdom
Sep 27, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: I have resentment against my (soon-to-be adopted) child’s mom, who is an addict. I get frustrated with his disrespect & disobedience, and bitterness & resentment rise up. He also respects my husband way more than me. I am trying so hard not to let it show or to take it out on him. I need help!
Resources:
Parenting Children with Challenging Behaviors Prenatal Exposure, Part 1: Parenting Babies through Elementary AgesParenting a Challenging Child: A Collaborative ApproachSup...
Duration: 00:18:47Connecting with Teens
Sep 24, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Do you dread the teen years? Or, if you're in the midst of parenting teens, do you struggle to find ways to connect? This week, we interview Dr. Melody Aguayo, a parenting coach specializing in working with at-risk children and their families and the founder of Real Child Consulting, LLC. She is the mom of two adopted kids.
In this episode, we discuss:
Parents wonder why their easy and natural connection with their kids changed, and they now feel... Duration: 00:54:569 Things I Wish I Knew Before Adopting - Weekend Wisdom
Sep 20, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
I spent some time this week thinking about what I’ve learned from my experiences as an adoptive parent and the wisdom of others in our community. In reflection, I've created a list of the things I wish I knew before adopting.
Resources:
8 Things I Wish I Had Known Before I AdoptedFree courses to strengthen your familyTherapeutic Parenting: Strategies & SolutionsBeginner’s Guide to TBRI
Support the show
Please leave us a rating or re...
Duration: 00:13:44How Can Kinship Caregivers Find the Resources They Need to Succeed?
Sep 17, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Kinship-led families have unique needs, and finding resources to meet those needs can be a challenge. Today, we're talking with Mike Heath, a Resource Specialist with the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families in Wisconsin. The Coalition is a Resource Center for birth parents, foster families, adoptive families, relative/kinship/and like-kin caregivers, and child welfare and Tribal agency professionals.
In this episode, we discuss:
What are the most frequently reported everyday needs or resource gaps caregivers are experiencing? What i... Duration: 01:12:15Tips for Managing Your Picky Eater - Weekend Wisdom
Sep 13, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Today, we are tackling a question that comes up a lot for parents and caregivers in our community – what do you do with a picky eater?
Resources:
Support the show
Please 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...
Duration: 00:13:31The Only Way Forward is Back with Jackson TerKeurst
Sep 10, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Jackson TerKeurst was born in Liberia and by the age of 7 was a war orphan living in dire circumstances. So how did he end up as an entrepreneur, leader, and now author? Join us for an inspirational conversation about identity, overcoming, and redemption from Jackson's new book, The Only Way Forward is Back.
In this episode, we discuss:
Cultural differences How challenges like poverty and food insecurity impacted your first experiences in the StatesHow did your trauma manifest in y... Duration: 00:43:41Travel Restrictions When Fostering - Weekend Wisdom
Sep 06, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: Are there travel restrictions when you are fostering? For example, my family lives out of state, but can I bring the child with me when I travel to visit family?
Resources:
Working as Part of a Foster Care TeamWorking with the Birth Parents for the Child's Best InterestBecoming a Foster ParentSupport the show
Please leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national...
Duration: 00:08:34Adopting Older Kids
Sep 03, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you considering adopting a child over the age of 5? Listen to this interview with Sarah Hansen and Simi Riesner. Sarah is the Director of International Advocacy at the Gladney Center for Adoption, with over 20 years of experience supporting adoptive families and children. She is also an adoptive parent to an older child from Thailand. Simi is the Executive Director of Mazi Adoption and Family Services, as well as a licensed social worker and foster parent. Simi also has lived experience as an adult a...
Duration: 01:08:51Fostering or Adopting as a Single Man - Weekend Wisdom
Aug 30, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Questions: I am a 58 single man and I am considering fostering.
My first question is how much of a bias is there against men? What are the unique challenges that single foster dads face that discourage so many? What can we do to get more single foster dads to help families reunify, foster, and possibly adopt?Resources:
Creating a Support Network as a Single Adoptive, Foster, or Kinship Parent (Article)Adopting as a Single Parent (Onl... Duration: 00:13:51How Do We Handle Weed and Vaping While Raising Adopted, Foster, and Relative Kids?
Aug 27, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you educated and informed on the issues around weed and vaping, including THC, nicotine, and the signs of addiction? Listen to this interview with Dr. Krishna White. She is an attending physician at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, with board certifications in Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine, and Addiction Medicine.
In this episode, we discuss:
Can you explain why kids who’ve experienced trauma, prenatal substance exposure, or who are neurodivergent may be at greater risk for turning to substances lik... Duration: 00:53:58How to Connect with an Expectant Parent During Pregnancy - Weekend Wisdom
Aug 23, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: I have listened to hundreds of adoption-related podcast episodes, but very few of them have talked about talking directly with a potential birth mother. We were matched with an expectant mother who wanted to be able to communicate with us directly. We agreed, believing that it would help us form a better relationship. However, we were mentally unprepared for the wavering she expressed to us. Despite being so certain when we first met with her, as the pregnancy went on, she...
Duration: 00:06:26Understanding the Hague Treaty on Intercountry Adoption
Aug 20, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you considering adopting internationally? You need to listen to this interview about the laws and processes that you will be required to follow. We'll be talking with Kelly Dempsey, a partner with Fox Rothschild, who specializes in adoption and assisted reproduction. She is a fellow in the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys and an adoptive parent through both international and domestic adoptions.
In this episode, we discuss:
Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in... Duration: 00:53:02When Your Extended Family Isn't Into Your Adoption Education Journey - Weekend Wisdom
Aug 16, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: Hi, my husband, biological daughter and I are in the process of infant adoption. We have passed our home study and have made our profile book. We are at the point where we are viewing expectant moms' profiles. My husband‘s family is very excited and ready for this new chapter in our lives, but my family, however, seems unsure. It’s been hard to communicate with my parents about adoption, and it seems like when they are ready to talk abou...
Duration: 00:08:10Helping Our Kids Cope with Bullies at School
Aug 13, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Most children will experience bullying at some point. What can parents do to help protect their children and to help their children cope if they are bullied? Host Dawn Davenport, Executive Director of Creating a Family, the national infertility & adoption education and support nonprofit, interviews Brooke Randolph, LMHC, a child and family therapist and author of The Bully Book: A Workbook for Kids Coping with Bullies; and Debora Gish, LCSW, with Adoption Connection with 20 experience working with kids and families.
In...
Duration: 00:51:26Tips for Welcoming Home Your Newborn - Weekend Wisdom
Aug 09, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
We frequently hear from waiting parents that they are unsure when to prepare the nursery, what formula is best, or how often they should expect to feed their new baby. It's a huge life transition, and we thought today we could talk about some basic baby care tips to help you think about what's next for you and your family when you get the baby home.
Resources:
I'm Adopting a Baby. When Do I Set Up the Nursery?Essential... Duration: 00:10:57Smart But Scattered
Aug 06, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Does your child struggle to get or stay organized? Is homework a battle you dread every day? Prepare yourself to support your children for the Back to School season with this interview with Dr. Richard Guare. He's a neuropsychologist and board-certified behavior analyst focused on autism, learning, attention, and behavior disorders, and acquired brain injuries. He is the co-author of Smart But Scattered: The Revolutionary Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential.
In this episode, we discuss:
Define executive... Duration: 01:00:51Potty Training a Child With Prenatal Exposure - Weekend Wisdom
Aug 02, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
How do you know your child with prenatal substance exposure is ready to potty train? How do you start potty training a child with impacts from prenatal substance exposure, like developmental delays? This Weekend Wisdom offers practical strategies and encouragement to help you stay motivated and keep up the good work.
Resources:
<...
A Glimpse Into the History of Creating a Family
Jul 30, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Join us for a look at where CreatingaFamily.org - and this podcast - began and where we are heading from here. We talk today with Dawn Davenport, the founding Executive Director of the organization, as she prepares to retire from Creating a Family.
In this episode, we discuss:
Tell us how and why you started Creating a Family. Why start a non-profit?The Complete Guide to International Adoption: The Step by Step Guide to Finding Your ChildDo any... Duration: 01:00:38Failed Adoptions in Foster Care - Weekend Wisdom
Jul 26, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: I have a question that may be well suited for a weekend wisdom episode. I'm aware of the reasons that a domestic infant adoption may fail, but I've also read about foster children having failed adoption(s) and then aging out of the system. What are some of the main reasons that a foster child experiences a failed adoption? How does that look different than (or the same as) a failed domestic infant adoption?
Resources:
Failed Adoptions:Help, I... Duration: 00:10:10Trauma-Informed Therapy: Finding the Right Fit for Your Family
Jul 23, 2025Click 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.
<...
Duration: 01:00:29How to Prepare Sibling for an Infant Adoption - Weekend Wisdom
Jul 19, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: My husband and I adopted our daughter in 2019, and she is now 5. As of a week ago, we were matched with a birth mother who is due in six weeks. We have explained the process to our daughter (we made a book about our life, and one day someone will pick us), but now that we’ve been chosen, what is the best way to approach this with my daughter? We have several of the books from your (wonderful) book list, bu...
Duration: 00:07:04Attachment-Informed Tools for Working with Kids
Jul 16, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you looking for practical strategies to build attachment with your child? Jeanette Yoffe, MA, MFT, is a psychotherapist specializing in adoption and foster care with over 20 years of experience treating children with complex trauma. Her new book, The Traumatized and At-Risk Youth Toolbox: Over 160 Attachment-Informed Interventions for Working with Kids and Families in Foster Care and Beyond offers specific strategies and tools parents and caregivers can build into their family rhythms to promote regulation and healing in their homes.
In t...
Duration: 01:06:25How to Normalize Adoption for the Child? - Weekend Wisdom
Jul 12, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: My wife and I adopted a newborn baby almost 3 years ago, and we could not be happier. Now that he is getting a little older, he is talking and starting to understand things. My question is, how can we best normalize his adoption with him? I know it is better for kids to grow up with everyone being open with him and his adoption so it feels like now is a good time to start. But I am not sure how t...
Duration: 00:12:24Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times
Jul 09, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you looking for practical strategies to help your kids face the challenges of a scary world? Join us for a conversation with Melinda Wenner Moyer. She is an author, contributing editor at Scientific American, a regular contributor to The New York Times, and a former faculty member at New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. Her new book is titled Hello, Cruel World: Science-Based Strategies for Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times.
In this episode we discuss:
... Duration: 00:51:27Reunification of Foster Child Logistics - Weekend Wisdom
Jul 05, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: My 15-year-old foster daughter, “Anna”, is scheduled to move back in with her mom at the end of the school year. She is currently on my phone plan. I also pay for her access to Spotify, Netflix, and Hulu. Should I ask her mother now how she wants to transition Anna onto her phone plan? Do you recommend continuing to pay for a 3-6 month period until the mother figures it out? Should I just keep her on my account for Spot...
Duration: 00:10:27Common Special Needs in International Adoption
Jul 02, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you considering international adoption? If so, this interview will help you decide which special needs are a good fit for your family. We'll talk with Dr. Dana Johnson, MD, PhD. He is a Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Neonatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Johnson founded the International Adoption Clinic at the University of Minnesota. He is a dad and granddad by birth and adoption.
In this episode, we discuss:
International adoption has... Duration: 01:01:51Tips to Manage Bedwetting and Stooling Accidents - Weekend Wisdom
Jun 28, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: A listener wrote in asking about encopresis and enuresis. These tips are for handling bedwetting or soiling accidents once your child is successfully potty trained.
Resources:
Bedwetting and Related Toileting Issues (Article)Helping Children Heal from TraumaSleep IssuesSupport the show
Please 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...
Duration: 00:11:53Building Rhythms of Self-Care Into Our Parenting with Nicole Barlow
Jun 25, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
How do you define self-care? Are you establishing a routine of self-care that supports you to meet your kid's needs? Nicole Barlow joins the podcast to discuss how we think about self-care, why it's crucial, and how to create rhythms of self-care in our homes. She is a certified wellness coach, TBRI® Practitioner, and parent trainer for foster and adoptive parents.
In this episode, we discuss:
Re-define self-careWhy is self-care crucial for parents and caregivers?Why do so many o... Duration: 00:53:21Black Parents Adopting a White Child - Weekend Wisdom
Jun 21, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: Today's question is about black parents adopting a white child. This was a question we received from a survey we sent out to issues that our audience wished that we would address.
Resources:
Raising a Child Through a Transracial AdoptionTransracial Adoption Twist: Black Parents Adopting White KidsBlack Families Adopting White ChildrenSupport the show
Please leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national...
Duration: 00:06:13How People of Faith Can Support Vulnerable Kids and Families
Jun 18, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
How can we get people of faith more involved in helping vulnerable kids and families and supporting foster and kinship families? Join our discussion with Jason Johnson and Shmuly Yanklowitz. Pastor Johnson is with The Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) and is both a foster and adoptive dad. Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz is the Founder & President of YATOM: The Jewish Foster & Adoption Network. Rabbi Yanklowitz has twice been named one of America’s Top Rabbis by Newsweek and is a foster dad.
In...
Duration: 00:56:57How Do I Handle Shocking Information My Child Shares With Me? - Weekend Wisdom
Jun 14, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: I want to know how I can help my child/foster, or adoptee with issues that arise out of the blue. There are things that happen that you’re not aware of, and it just shocks you and throws you off. As an adult, it’s hard to know how to handle some of these things because you can make it worse for the child. Sometimes I feel like I need a therapist to help me navigate being a foster parent.
Understanding Adoption: Voices From All Sides
Jun 11, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Join us to discuss how adoption looks and feels from all sides of the adoption triad. Our guests will be the authors Sara Easterly, Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard, and Lori Holden of their book, Adoption Unfiltered.
In this episode, we discuss:
Adoptee Perspective:23 adoptees contributed to this section of the book. What are some of the issues adoptees may face?Compliance and people-pleasingFantasy AttachmentsShameInterracial AdopteesThe Danger in the Rescue NarrativeRole of religionin adoption for adoptees, birth mothers/e... Duration: 00:47:17How to Talk with Young Kids about Adoption - Weekend Wisdom
Jun 07, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: My wife and I adopted a newborn baby almost 3 years ago and we could not be happier. Now that he is getting a little older, he is talking and starting to understand things. My question is how can we best normalize his adoption with him? I know it is better for kids to grow up with everyone being open with him and his adoption so it feels like now is a good time to start. But I am not sure how t...
Duration: 00:10:22The Adoption Home Study: Should You Be Nervous?
Jun 04, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Many prospective adoptive families feel anxious about the home study. Our guest, Sheila Kowit, is an adoption social worker with Adoptions From the Heart. She prepares home studies for both domestic infant and international adoptions. She explains what the process is like, what you can expect, and what you will learn in the home study process.
In this episode, we discuss:
What is an adoption home study?Is it possible to get one home study that can be used... Duration: 00:54:56Birthparents and Agency Lied About Drug Use - Weekend Wisdom
May 31, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: My husband and I had a swift match and placement in December. When we were presented with the case, all that was reported for drug use was smoking 12 cigarettes a day. After about a month of trying to get medical records from the hospital for my pediatrician, I discovered my baby’s meconium tested positive for meth. This lab test resulted on Monday, and we were released from the hospital the Friday before, so no one told us about this result. Th...
Duration: 00:09:52Raising a Biracial Child
May 28, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you raising a mixed-race child? Join our conversation with Nicole Doyley, a biracial woman raising biracial kids, and the author of What About the Children: 5 Values for Multiracial Families.
Terminology: what is preferred-biracial, mixed race, multi-racial, mixed?Biracial includes Black/White, Black/Asian, White/Asian, Hispanic/Black, Indigenous/Black/Hispanic. In this interview, we are talking about mixed-race, but families can also be mixed culturally.Is it true that mixed-race is the fastest-growing group in the US?Issues facing biracial people in... Duration: 00:53:29Attachment Dance - Weekend Wisdom
May 24, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: For three months now, we’ve been fostering our 17-year-old son, with the intention of adopting. My question is regarding attachment. How can you tell if the child is setting up boundaries or testing you to see how hard you’ll pursue/run after them?
Resources:
Creating and Cultivating Attachment (Resource page)Helping a Child Heal from Trauma (Resource page)Transitioning a Child to Your Home (Resource page)Support the show
Please leave us a...
Duration: 00:10:11How to Engage Kinship Caregivers
May 21, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you a professional working with kinship caregivers? You need to listen to this interview with Dr. Tyreasa Washington, is a nationally and internationally recognized scholar specializing in kinship care families (e.g., grandparents raising grandchildren). She is a Distinguished Senior Scholar for Child Welfare at Child Trends, the leading research organization in the United States focused solely on improving the lives of children, youth, and families.
In this episode, we discuss:
Advantages of keeping children with extended family... Duration: 00:46:16Dealing with a Long Wait When Adopting - Weekend Wisdom
May 17, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: How can prospective parents manage their thoughts and emotions while waiting to be matched with a child (especially in cases where the waiting period is a long one)?
Resources:
Suggested Books for AdoptionCoping Mechanisms for the Waiting (Article)Creating a Family Online Support GroupSupport the show
Please 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...
Duration: 00:09:43Evaluating Risk Factors in Foster Care Adoption
May 14, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you considering adopting from foster care or becoming a foster parent? Join us to discuss this topic with Dr. Lindsay Terrell, a pediatrician and Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Duke University Medical Center, as well as the Clinical Director of their Foster Care Clinic. She and her husband are licensed foster parents.
In this episode, we discuss:
The common risk factors that foster parents and those wanting to adopt from foster care need to be... Duration: 00:51:50What the Heck is Happening with the Adoption Tax Credit? - Weekend Wisdom
May 10, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: On the 2025 Adoption Tax Credit Episode, it was mentioned that they thought this would possibly be the year it becomes refundable. Does that only apply to finalizations in 2025, or will it make previous adoptions (if within the 5-year tax credit range) refundable too? For example, an adoption finalized in 2023 but we haven’t used all of the tax credit available. Does the remaining amount become refundable, too? ~Oklahoma City, OK
Resources:
Understanding the Adoption Tax CreditAdoptionTaxCredit.or... Duration: 00:04:13What's It Like When Your Parents Decide to Foster
May 07, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you considering fostering but are concerned about how it impacts the kids already living in your home? Join us for a conversation with Michelle Snyder, a foster, adoptive, and bio mom, and her son, Ben, to hear their stories of fostering and how it impacted their family. They are co-authors of Beyond Blood: How Being a Foster Brother Shattered My World and Rebuilt It.
In this episode, we discuss:
Ben - How old were you when your parents... Duration: 00:54:00De-escalation in the Heat of the Moment - Weekend Wisdom
May 03, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: How do I respond in the moment when my child is melting down, including physical or verbal aggression?
Resources:
Practical Tips to Help Your Kids Manage StressThe Ideal Response: How to Maintain Connection When Correcting Your ChildHow to Maintain Connection When Your Child Struggles with AngerSupport the show
Please leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to s...
Duration: 00:12:15Embryo Donation / Embryo Adoption
Apr 30, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Have you thought about adopting a baby, but long for the experience of being pregnant, or want to control the intrauterine environment? Join us for this fascinating discussion about embryo donation/adoption with Dr. Craig Sweet with Embryo Donation International, Mark Mellinger with the National Embryo Donation Center, and Beth Button with the Snowflakes Embryo Adoption Program.
In this episode, we discuss:
The IVF process.Remaining embryos.Donating to another person.How to find embryos available for donation?What... Duration: 00:58:27Will I Get to Choose the Name of My Adopted Baby? - Weekend Wisdom
Apr 26, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: Is it important to keep a young child or baby’s birth-given name? How often, if ever, do expectant mothers let adopting parents name the baby in private adoptions?
Resources:
Understanding the Birth Parent's ExperienceOpen AdoptionCreating a Family Online Facebook Support GroupSupport the show
Please 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, fos...
Duration: 00:05:14Raising Kids for a Lifelong Parent/Child Bond
Apr 23, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Do you want to raise kids who you will like and want to hang out with as adults? Listen to this interview with Dr. Ginsburg, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and professor of pediatrics at U Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine. He is the author of Lighthouse Parenting: Raising Your Child With Loving Guidance for a Lifelong Bond, and the founder of the Center for Parent and Teen Communication.
In this episode, we discuss:
Definition of L... Duration: 00:57:36Who Should We Tell About a Match With an Expectant Mom? - Weekend Wisdom
Apr 19, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: My husband and I started the adoption process a few months ago and we just matched with an expectant mom. We are obviously excited, but we also know that a lot can happen or change between now and her due date. My question is two fold. (1) Although a lot of people in our life know we are going through the adoption process, who should we tell beyond our immediate families? (2) I am a small business owner. Since we are adopting a...
Duration: 00:07:25Parenting Kids with Prenatal Exposure
Apr 16, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Do you suspect (or know) that your child was exposed to alcohol or drugs during pregnancy? We discuss tips for how to best work with these children with Dr. Robin Gurwitch, a professor at Duke University’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Center for Child and Family Health.
In this episode, we discuss:
How does prenatal exposure to alcohol or drugs affect children at different ages?Oftentimes adoptive, foster and kinship families may not know specifically if... Duration: 00:57:10Is It Harder for Singles to Adopt? - Weekend Wisdom
Apr 12, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: Hello, I am a single parent by choice and a hopeful adoptive parent. I've been working with an agency and waiting to be matched for a domestic infant adoption since this summer, and I haven't had much luck. I'm starting to wonder if expectant parents think single parents are not a good choice for their baby. In my profile book, I emphasize my financial stability and support of a network of family and friends, but is that enough? In your experience...
Duration: 00:04:32Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Opioids and Opioid-Use Treatment Medications
Apr 09, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you considering adopting or fostering a child who was exposed prenatally to opioids or opioid-use treatment medication, such as Buprenorphine, methadone, and Suboxone? Are you a grandparent or aunt raising a child who was exposed? Join our discussion with Dr. Jennifer McAllister, the Medical Director of the NOWS Follow-Up Clinic at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the Medical Director of the University of Cincinnati Newborn Nursery.
In this episode, we discuss:
Terminology: What is the difference be... Duration: 00:46:32Both My Parents Were Transracially Adopted - Weekend Wisdom
Apr 05, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: Can you talk about how being transracially adopted effects how adoptee’s children were raised? Both of my parents were transracially adopted and I don’t feel like there’s anyone else who can share this unique experience and I just want to understand better.
Resources:
Generational Impacts of AdoptionRaising a Child Through Transracial Adoption (Resource page)Suggested Books for Adults on Transracial AdoptionSupport the show
Please leave us a rating or review...
Duration: 00:05:57Taming Sibling Squabbles
Apr 02, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Do your kids fight? Does it drive you crazy. Join us to learn some helpful tips for handling sibling rivalry and fighting. Our guest is Dr. Laura Markham, a clinical psychologist and author of several books, including Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids and Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings: How To Stop the Fighting and Raise Friends for Life.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why do siblings squabble?How is sibling rivalry and sibling fighting a good thing for our kids?How... Duration: 00:55:19Trauma and the Teen Years
Mar 29, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: I wish I had known what to expect when a child with trauma hit the teen years. Maybe a book suggestion of what to expect or resources on what may show up and how to handle it. Puberty and the teen years have hit our family HARD. I also notice other families with adopted children going through the same or similar things. ~Rebecca from Kansas
Resources:
Therapy Resources for Adoptive, Foster, and Kinship FamiliesCenter for Parent a... Duration: 00:11:30Partnering With Relatives for Kinship Care
Mar 26, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Why is kinship care important, and what are some of the challenges? Our guests are Gregory Jones, a granddad raising five grandkids from birth to now ranging in age from 9 to 12; Ana Beltran, an attorney, and director of the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center; and Erica Burgess, a social worker with over 25 years of experience in child welfare, specializing in kinship care.
In this episode, we discuss:
How common is kinship care throughout the US—bo... Duration: 00:52:55What Do I Call My Child's Birth Mother? - Weekend Wisdom
Mar 22, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: My husband and I are in the process of growing our family through adoption. It would be a domestic infant adoption, and we are hoping to cultivate a long-term relationship with the future baby’s birth family. I noticed that whenever I feel hesitation when thinking about openness, I can bring myself back down to earth by recognizing that any hesitation results from making things about ME, not the baby or birth family.
The one question I can’t seem...
Duration: 00:06:34When Birth Parents Struggle with Addiction, Mental Health, or Intellectual Disabilities
Mar 19, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are your child's birth parents struggling with addiction, mental illness, or intellectual disability? If so, join us for this discussion with Teresa Bradley, a psychotherapist with over 17 years of experience in addiction counseling and mental health. She is a Master Addiction Counselor, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, and clinical trainer at Amerigroup.
In this episode, we discuss:
Substance Abuse Disorders
What are some of the challenges that adoptive or foster parents might expect to see when... Duration: 00:51:35When Do I Tell My Child They Have Birth Siblings? - Weekend Wisdom
Mar 15, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
I have been listening to your podcast and supporting your mission for several years. We adopted our daughter at birth through an open adoption. We began caring for her on day two; she is now 9 years old. She knows she is adopted and has seen photos of her biological parents. Her parents had problems with addiction and the law. We only tell her, “They were not able to care for you.” She has not yet asked questions about her biological parents, but she does opin...
Duration: 00:05:23Adopting Siblings: Issues to Consider
Mar 12, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you considering adopting a sibling group? Join us for this interview with Deborah Bass Artis, MSW and Senior Program Director of Foster Care to Permanency with Children’s Home Society of NC.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why is it important to keep siblings together when placed for foster care or adoption?Advantages to adopting siblings.Special issues to considerThinking About Adopting a Sibling Group? Things to Consider FirstPractical Tips for Fostering a Sibling GroupIntegrating siblings with children al... Duration: 00:50:24My Child Tells Others We Aren't Meeting Her Basic Needs - Weekend Wisdom
Mar 08, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: I have a daughter who has dealt with trauma from consistent experiences of neglect and abandonment. While our home is loving and supportive, she continues to exhibit a victim mentality and has a hard time taking responsibility for her actions. She's a sweet girl, but she makes comments to others that insinuate she is not having her most basic needs met, which is simply not the case. How can we help her, and how should we be responding to her self-victimization? Duration: 00:07:33
Help, I Don't Think I Can Continue With This Adoption!
Mar 05, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you really struggling with your adoption and feeling you've made a huge mistake? Listen to this interview with Lindsay Lanham, MSW. She works at Holt International and is the author of the online article “Predictors of Adoption Disruption and Dissolution: A Literature Review.”
In this episode, we cover:
Difference between an adoption disruption and adoption dissolution. What causes an adoption to fail? What causes parents to say: “Help, I don’t think I can continue this adoption?”Child-related factors:Chi... Duration: 00:44:32Coping with Stillbirth After Adoption Match - Weekend Wisdom
Mar 01, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: I've been an adoption social worker for almost seven years and just experienced my 2nd situation where the birth mother in a match had a stillbirth after selecting a family through our agency. Both situations were such a difficult loss for both parties. I'm curious if you've heard of others who experienced this unusually tragic type of loss during adoption. I'm not sure how common it is, especially given the rate of stillbirths is 1 in 175 births in the U.S. How...
Duration: 00:07:00Evaluating Risk Factors in Domestic Adoption
Feb 26, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you thinking about adopting a baby? Are you worried about what risk factors exist that you should know about? Join us to talk about these issues with Dr. Lindsay Terrell, a pediatrician at Duke University Medical Center and an Assistant Professor in their Department of Pediatrics. And James Fletcher Thompson, a South Carolina attorney with extensive experience in adoption.
In this episode, we discuss:
Lack of prenatal care.What is covered in prenatal care and how might a l... Duration: 01:04:46How to Connect with Birth Mom with Mental Illness? - Weekend Wisdom
Feb 22, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: I've been listening to your podcast for a few years! Our 10-year-old kinship adopted daughter has lived with us since she was 2 months old. For a variety of reasons, there hasn't been any in-person visits or phone calls with her birth mom (my sister). Communication has been limited to holiday/birthday cards and gifts. My sister has schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Because she has been stable on her medications and her behaviors are typically within a somewhat 'predictable' range, we're thinking i...
Duration: 00:11:12Courage & Resilience: A Foster Child's Story of Success
Feb 19, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
How do some kids survive a life of poverty, homelessness, abuse, and foster care and eventually thrive? We talk about courage & resilience with David Ambroz who is a national poverty and child welfare expert and advocate and the author of the memoir, A Place Called Home. He was recognized by President Obama as an American Champion of Change. Currently serving as the Head of Community Engagement (West) for Amazon, Ambroz previously led Corporate Social Responsibility for Walt Disney Television, and has served as president...
Duration: 00:52:50Can a Non-Native Family Adopt an Indian Child? - Weekend Wisdom
Feb 15, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: This was a question from someone in South Dakota. She says, "I haven't listened to all your back episodes, but can you address ICWA, the Indian Child Welfare Act, as it pertains to adoption? I live in a state where the majority of children in foster care are Native Americans, and ICWA, the Indian Child Welfare Act, is confusing and divisive. At the end of the day, I just want the children I care for to be safe. I understand the...
Duration: 00:05:19Legal Process of Domestic Adoption: What You Need to Know Before You Adopt
Feb 12, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you considering adopting a baby? To understand what is involved legally, listen to this podcast with James Fletcher Thompson, a South Carolina attorney with extensive experience in adoption.
In this episode, we discuss:
What are some of the differences in domestic infant adoption? Agency and independent (direct placement) adoptions.Relative adoptions. (grandparents, aunt/uncles, step-parent).Infants or young children adopted from foster care.In-state and interstate adoptions.Adoptions governed by the federal Indian Child Welfare Act.Adoption is go... Duration: 00:54:08Should We Move to Another Country and Leave Our Extended Family? - Weekend Wisdom
Feb 08, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: My husband and I have two adopted twin boys who are 8 months old, and we've had them since birth. We've been on the fence for years about a big move outside of the country, but we're currently leaning towards leaving. My husband and, by extension, our kids have dual nationality with the country we'd go to. Thankfully, I'm also allowed to tag along.
We currently live near a large family and support network from both sides of the family...
Adopting Older Children
Feb 05, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you considering adopting a child over the age of 5? Join our discussion with Dr. Stephanie Bosco-Ruggiero. She has a PhD in Social Work from Fordham University and is co-author of the book Adopting Older Children: A Practical Guide to Adopting and Parenting Children Over Age Four.
In this episode, we talk about:
The greatest need in both foster care adoption and international adoption is to adopt kids 5 and older. Adolescents have a bad reputation in general in our s... Duration: 00:53:17We Want to Adopt, but My Father-in-Law Has Terminal Cancer - Weekend Wisdom
Feb 01, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Question: My father-in-law was just diagnosed with terminal cancer and given a maximum of 6 months left to live. We learned this right before our home study for older child/foster care adoption was finalized. Do you have any advice for what we should do with our adoption process moving forward? I am worried if we match before my husband is done grieving, we could add additional trauma to the child, but there is no set timeline for grieving. How do we deal...
Duration: 00:03:24Adopting or Fostering a Child with Down Syndrome
Jan 29, 2025Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.
Are you considering adopting or fostering a child with Down Syndrome? Join our conversation with Dr. Sara Williams, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. She provides developmental evaluations and follow-up care for children with a variety of neurodevelopmental disabilities, including in the Thomas Center for Down Syndrome.
In this episode, we discuss: