What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting

How to Overcome Fear as a Foster Parent in your Foster Care and Adoption Journey

Welcome to the What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting podcast—a space created to provide guidance, encouragement, and real talk for foster and adoptive moms navigating the challenges of the system.
In this episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest struggles in this journey: fear. It’s so easy to let worry and uncertainty take over, but today, I’m sharing how to shift from a fear-based mindset to one grounded in love and trust in Jesus.
With experience fostering 77 children, I’ve learned firsthand how overwhelming this path can be. But I’ve also learned how to surrender control, release the stress, and find true peace in God’s plan—no matter what comes our way.
You’ll walk away from this episode with practical strategies to break free from anxiety, build unshakable faith, and create a home filled with grace and peace. You’re not in this alone—let’s do this together!
☕ Now, grab your cup of coffee, get comfy, and let’s dig in!
XO, Christine Marie
💕 Join Our Community!
After you listen, I’d love for you to come be part of our inner circle of foster and adoptive mamas! Our Facebook group is your gateway to valuable resources, support, and connection with other women who truly get it. Join us here:
👉 facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
https://www.youtube.com/@fosteringandadopting

Breaking the Cycle: A Foster Child’s Journey to Success After Aging Out of Foster Care

Welcome to the "What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting" podcast!
I’m Christine Marie, your host. In addition to being a biblical mindset coach and a former foster parent of 10 years, I’m also an adoptive mom to our two beautiful daughters. I know firsthand the ups and downs of the foster care and adoption journey, and I’m here to help you navigate it with confidence and faith. Having cared for 77 foster children, I’m passionate about sharing real, practical insights to support you on this path.
In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Rondregus Underwood, also known as Mr. U, who shares his incredible journey of growing up in foster care and aging out of the system. We have a raw and honest conversation about how he defied the odds, avoided becoming another statistic, and overcame unimaginable challenges to become a successful adult, author, and inspirational speaker. He opens up about discovering his passion for fashion and modeling, proving that resilience, faith, and determination can turn adversity into something greater—even when the odds are stacked against you.
We’ll also dive into the importance of breaking cycles, building resilience, and the role of supportive adults in shaping the lives of foster youth. Rondregus’ testimony is a powerful reminder that faith and community have the ability to transform lives.
If you’re in the foster care or adoption world—or even just considering it—this episode is packed with encouragement, hope, and practical wisdom from those who have walked this journey before you.
No matter where you are in your fostering or adoption journey, this episode will give you insight, tools, and encouragement to help both you and your child thrive.
📖 Rondregus is also the author of an incredible book sharing his story. You can grab your copy and learn more about him at iammru.com.
It was truly a blessing to have Rondregus Underwood, "Mr. U," on the podcast today. I pray his story blesses you as much as it has blessed me!
☕ Now, grab your cup of coffee, get comfy, and let’s dig in!
XO, Christine Marie
💕 Join Our Community!
After you listen, I’d love for you to come be part of our inner circle of foster and adoptive mamas! Our Facebook group is your gateway to valuable resources, support, and connection with other women who truly get it. Join us here:
👉 facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
https://www.youtube.com/@fosteringandadopting

Leveraging Brain Science to Heal Trauma in your Foster & Adoptive children: Featuring Dr. Caroline Leaf

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Caroline Leaf, a communication pathologist, audiologist and clinical neuroscientist, to explore the powerful concept of neuroplasticity and its impact on healing trauma in children.
Dr. Leaf specializes in psychoneurobiology research, has published 19 bestselling books in 24 languages, has over 50 million downloads on her award winning podcast, "Cleaning up the mental mess," and over 9 million downloads on YouTube. She runs research trials in mental health and publishes in scientific journals. She speaks to diverse audiences around the world including neuroscience and medical conferences and TEDx.
Today, we are discussing mental health diagnosis in foster and adoptive children, if healing is possible for them and ways to help facilitate regrowth of new healthy brain pathways. 
Learn about the groundbreaking techniques outlined in Dr. Leaf's book, "How to Help Your Child Clean Up Their Mental Mess," and discover practical strategies to create a nurturing environment for your child. You can find the book bundle discussed in todays episode by following this link: https://drleaf.com/collections/product-combo-deals/products/how-to-help-your-child-clean-up-their-mental-mess-hardcover-brain-ee-plush-toy-brain-ee-coloring-book
Whether you're new to fostering or have been on this journey for years, this episode provides essential tools and encouragement to help you, and your child thrive. Dive into the conversation and gain insights that will empower you to make a positive impact on your child's mental health and well-being.
The book I personally recommend to foster and adoptive parents, which also helped me in my healing journey is found at this link:  https://drleaf.com/collections/books/products/cleaning-up-your-mental-mess
To see all the incredible resources that Dr. Caroline Leaf has available, this is the link to her website: https://drleaf.com
It was such a blessing to have Dr. Leaf on the podcast today. I pray she blesses you as much as she has blessed me today.
 
Thank you for being here, Go grab your cup of coffee and let's dig in.
 
XO-Christine Marie
 
After you listen to this episode, I would love for you to head on over and join our inner circle of foster and adoptive mamas. Our Facebook group is your gateway to valuable resources and connection.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen

5 things every foster parent needs to know while on their foster care or adoption journey.

Looking back there is a few very pivotal lessons I wish I didn't have to learn but I am so thankful to share them with you today.
These are the top 5:
1. How does your foster child's  behavior reflect on your parenting. 
2. Chronological age vs. emotional age.
3. Your feelings are valid.
4. Being authentically you.
5. Putting your family first. 
There are so many more lessons that I learned but these five that are foundational to the journey you are now on.
After you listen to this episode, I would love for you to head on over and join our inner circle of foster and adoptive mamas. Our Facebook group is your gateway to valuable resources and connection.
 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
Thank you for being here. Go grab your cup of coffee and let's dig in.
 
XO-Christine Marie
 
 
 
 

Making a difference in the lives of foster children: Interview with Ray Higdon - Foster Care Impactor

Today is a very special episode as we welcome the first guest to the show and recognize them as a Foster Parent Impactor.
 
Not only has he personally impacted my life but also those of hundreds of foster children. 
He is a successful entrepreneur and we are honored to have him sharing his powerful story today. He shares about his challenging upbringing in an abusive home, his path to success in business, and his profound encounter with faith that changed everything. 
 
I hope you find his story just as inspiring as I do. 
 
After you listen to this episode, I would love for you to head on over and join our inner circle of foster and adoptive mamas. Our Facebook group is your gateway to valuable resources and connection.
 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
Thank you for being here. Go grab your cup of coffee and let's dig in.
 
XO-Christine Marie
 
More about our Podcast Guest: Ray Higdon is the CEO of the Higdon Group. Ray has shared the stage with world renowned thought leaders, including Tony Robbins, Les Brown, Robert Kiyosaki, Bob Proctor, Gary Vaynerchuk, Magic Johnson and many more. Ray is currently co-mentoring with best-selling author and leadership expert John Maxwell in the Higdon Maxwell Mentorship Program, an elite mastermind group for high achievers.
 
You can connect with him at:
 
https://www.facebook.com/rayhigdonpage
https://www.instagram.com/rayhigdon/
https://faithoverfearlive.com/
 

Adopting a Child: Adoption through the Foster care system.

Welcome to the "What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting" podcast, hosted by Christine Marie, a biblical mindset coach, previous foster parent of 77 children and adoptive mom of 2.  This episode dives into the complexities of adopting through the foster care system, addressing common concerns and providing insights into balancing the journey with grace and faith.
The topic today is if adopting a child through the foster care system is an option for most families and what you need to know if considering this path. We are discussing the importance of setting boundaries, understanding the needs of your family, working with a mentor and trusting Gods timing in the process. 
If you are struggling right now as a foster or adoptive parent, I am so thankful that you found this episode. I want you to know that you are not alone. You are seen, valued, loved and known.
After you listen to this episode, I would love for you to head on over and join our inner circle of foster and adoptive mamas. Our Facebook group is your gateway to valuable resources and connection.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
Thank you for being here. Go grab your cup of coffee and let's dig in.
XO-Christine Marie
If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review on apple podcasts. This will help others just like you to find my podcast and be encouraged along their journey: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/what-to-expect-while-fostering-and-adopting-adopting/id1701306333

Lessons learned as a Foster and Adoptive Parent: The Journey from Judgment to Grace

On today’s episode, we will talk about the emotional highs and lows, the moments of judgment, and the lessons of grace.
It wasn’t until I had fully exited the world of foster care that I truly looked back and analyzed my heart’s posture. Knowing the intimate stories of the 77 children that entered our home and the hundreds more that I helped mentor the families of; my heart was broken. It in a place of judgement towards the biological families of these foster children. I wrestled between anger, disappointment, pain and it all settled into disapproval of how hard the lives of these children were. 
It ended up filling my heart with exactly the opposite of what led me to become a foster parent. 
My hope in sharing all of this with you today is that you will embrace the 4 tips I share with you and that it will help you to stay in a place of Grace, acceptance and Gods love through your foster care and adoption journey. 
If you are struggling right now as a foster or adoptive parent, I am so thankful that you found this episode. I want you to know that you are not alone. You are seen, valued, loved and known.
After you listen to this episode, I would love for you to head on over and join our inner circle of foster and adoptive mamas. Our Facebook group is your gateway to valuable resources and connection.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
Thank you for being here. Go grab your cup of coffee and let's dig in.
XO-Christine Marie
If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review on apple podcasts. This will help others just like you to find my podcast and be encouraged along their journey: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/what-to-expect-while-fostering-and-adopting-adopting/id1701306333
 

Trusting God while you're waiting: Adopting through the foster care system

Whether you are a foster parent hoping to adopt, already adopted or a long-term foster parent, this episode is for you if you struggle with anxiety, overwhelm and desire to keep Jesus at the center.
I will share vulnerably several ways that I tried to maintain control and perfection while battling anxiety and worry. I had found myself fully shifted into a mindset of striving to control every aspect of our foster care and adoption process. In turn, I lost myself along the way.
I didn’t understand the importance of the 5 people I surrounded myself with and who and what I was rooting my beliefs in.
If you are struggling right now as a foster or adoptive parent, I am so thankful that you found this episode. I want you to know that you are not alone. You are seen, valued, loved and known.
After you listen to this episode, I would love for you to head on over and join our inner circle of foster and adoptive mamas. Our Facebook group is your gateway to valuable resources and connection.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
Thank you for being here. Go grab your cup of coffee and let's dig in.
XO-Christine Marie
If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review on apple podcasts. This will help others just like you to find my podcast and be encouraged along their journey: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/what-to-expect-while-fostering-and-adopting-adopting/id1701306333
 

Leaning on Jesus: Struggling through emotional overwhelm and anxiety as a foster and adoptive parent

Welcome to the What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting podcast show. If you're a foster mom on the journey to adoption, already adopted, or somewhere in the middle, you're in the right place. 
Today, I will take you on the journey of deciding to continue with my podcast. Over the past 2 months, God has been refining and pruning my heart and showing me how to more completely depend on Him.
If you are struggling right now as a foster or adoptive parent, I am so thankful that you found this episode. I want you to know that you are not alone. You are seen, valued, loved and known.
After you listen to this episode, I would love for you to head on over and join our inner circle of foster and adoptive mamas. Our Facebook group is your gateway to valuable resources and connection.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
Thank you for being here. Go grab your cup of coffee and let's dig in.
XO-Christine Marie
If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review on apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/what-to-expect-while-fostering-and-adopting-adopting/id1701306333
Seph Schlueter - Counting My Blessings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZjWYgq9QfM
 

Attachment Disorders in Foster and Adoptive Children Part 2 of 2: Parenting Children with Attachment Disorders

On today's episode, we will conclude this 2 part series and talk about parenting children with attachment disorders. We will cover 6 key points to helping foster children feel safe and secure, comforted and supported, connected, experience consistency, feel encouraged and help you as the foster parent maintain boundaries in the foster home. All of these will help in developing bonds with your children, maintain emotional regulation, and handle behavioral issues effectively.
We will also discuss the importance of self-care and refilling your emotional cup. I will share my tips to building a balanced routine that not only supports the needs of the children but also the mental and physical needs of everyone in the home. 
You can find the workbook that supports this 2 part series in my foster parent group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
After you listen to this episode, I would love for you to head on over and join our inner circle of foster mamas. Our Facebook group is your gateway to valuable resources and connection.
 
So, go grab your cup of coffee and let's dig in.
XO-Christine Marie
If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review on apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/what-to-expect-while-fostering-and-adopting-adopting/id1701306333