What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting

Difficult Foster parenting lessons: Losing my personal identity, how I reclaimed it and practical tips for you on your journey.

Difficult Foster parenting lessons: Losing my personal identity, how I reclaimed it and practical tips for you on your journey.
Today's episode is definitely at the top list of things I wish I knew prior to becoming a foster parent. All of the coulda, woulda, shouldas are popping up in my memories as I talk through this with you today. It also makes me wonder how many other foster mama friends feel the pressure to want to be perfect, do everything the right way and push themselves to the brink of exhaustion on a daily basis? I am hoping this episode will act as almost a bumper guard for you and practical things you can put in place immediately. 
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.
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
Join the inner circle community of like-minded mamas at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
 

Getting paid to be a foster parent: Do people take in foster children for the money?

29% of people who were asked, believe that foster families take in so many foster children because they are doing it for the money. 
 
The other day, I saw a video that confirmed that people do believe this and it was upsetting but also validation that it needs to be discussed. In this episode, we are going to break this down, and talk about perception vs. reality. Why do some children receive a higher level of care payment and how to know what you're supposed to pay for with this money. 
 
Money can be an uncomfortable conversation for foster parents and especially when you're stepping out into this for the first time. We're also going to talk about the difference between an income and a stipend and why it matters. 
 
After you listen to this episode, I would love for you to head on over to my private Facebook group and share what you believed about this topic before today's episode and then after you listened. Did it shift your perspective or do you see things differently now?
 
So, go grab your cup of coffee and let's dig in.
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
Join our Facebook community of like-minded mamas at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
 
article cited: https://youthlaw.org/news/foster-parents-who-are-they-and-what-are-their-motivations

Building bonds with your foster children: Foster parent attachment strategies

Understanding the different types of attachment disorders in foster children is critically important to understanding how to best parent them. There are 4 different types of attachment disorders that we will discuss on today's episode. I will also share a list of strategies to help your foster child begin adjusting to your home and family. 
We will cover many topics in today's episode including clear boundaries, patience and grace, creating routines for your children, the importance of play, being trauma informed, support for the foster parent, celebrating every small win and my upcoming membership group.
I would love for you to head on over to my private Facebook group after you listen to this episode and share which strategies you use in your home and add to the list of what you find important.
I truly believe it is possible to help foster children begin to attach and find healing from their trauma and you are such an important part of this.
So, go grab your cup of coffee and let's dig in.
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
Join our Facebook community of like-minded mamas at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen

Christmas with your foster children: A foster parenting guide to celebrating with less overwhelm, more organization and resources for gifts

Does affording Christmas gifts for your foster children overwhelm you?
Are you not sure how to navigate the busy season and also remain present with your foster/ adoptive and biological children?
Are you wanting to help more kiddos than just the ones in your home but not sure what to do or where to begin?
Adding foster children to your home during the holidays can be overwhelming but it definitely doesn't need to be.
In today's episode, were going to talk about where to find resources, planning for a busy Christmas and how to choose the right gifts for the children in your home. Were also going to talk about how you can make a bigger impact and help more foster children in your own community.
Go grab your cup of coffee and let's dig in.
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
Join our Facebook community of like-minded mamas at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen  

Ready for Adoption but unsure which adoptive path to take: 3 different ways you can adopt a child and grow your family.

Are you wanting to adopt, feel called to adopt a child or grow your family through the foster care system?
When I wanted to grow our family through adoption, it all seemed so overwhelming, and I didn't know how to navigate such a complicated system. I can't wait to share with you, 3 ways that may help shorten your journey. 
In this episode, I discuss several websites and how you can utilize them in your journey. 
www.adoptuskids.org 
www.adoptamericanetwork.com
www.raisethefuture.org
www.wiaa.org
I hope todays episode brings your 1 step closer in your adoption journey, helps your find more peace in choosing a direction and lessens the overwhelm.
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
Join our Facebook community of like-minded mamas at:  
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
 
 
 

Foster Parenting Questions: What to do when you don’t get along with a caseworker and how to plan for success in the future

I know I have experienced this and wish I knew what to do when this happened. Foster parenting can be such an emotional journey and having a good relationship with your childs caseworker absolutely makes it easier.
Today I will be sharing tips with you so you can begin the relationship in the right way and plan for success. We will also discuss what to do when you have tried everything and it's not working. 
I also have an announcement at the end of the episode today that I am so excited to share with you. 
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
Join our Facebook community of like-minded mamas at:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
 
 

Say Goodbye to the overwhelming Holiday season: Top 5 tips for Foster and adoptive parents to help you prepare for the holidays with less stress and more connection.

If you are a new foster or adoptive parent, you definitely don't want to miss this episode.  I will be sharing my top 5 tips that you can implement immediately to help you have a less stressful and more emotionally connected holiday season.
As a previous foster parent of 10 years and taking in 77 foster children, we had a lot of holiday events and experiences to practice what worked and what didn't work. I am skipping over all the things that didn't work and sharing the top things that did work. 
We will be discussing solutions for all ages and developmental milestones. 
I would love to know if you implemented any of these tips and if so, which worked best for your family and children. 
If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review on the app that you found me on. Then, I would love for you to join our Facebook community of likeminded mamas at: 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
I am so thankful you found me and can't wait to hear about your journey.
Christine Marie

Navigating the foster care journey with our daughter: From Foster child to our adoptive child

She was 3 when she moved to our home as a foster child. When she became available for adoption, over 100 families applied to adopt her. Thankfully we were chosen as her forever family and she became our daughter when she was 5. She was the perfect child so I never imagined we would face the challenges that we did. As I share the journey with you today, I hope you find hope and encouragement in the journey. 
If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review and then join our Facebook community of like-minded mamas at:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
 
XO,
Christine Marie
 

Allegations of Abuse and Neglect as a foster parent: how to prepare and what to do if this happens to you

I remember the one thing that worried me the most as a foster parent and that was the thought of being accused of abuse or neglect. Once it happened, it sent my mind spinning because I didn't know what to do. I felt overwhelmed with emotions and had no one to ask because my certifier suddenly couldn't discuss anything with me. 
Would I be found guilty of abuse? Would this go on my record? Would I be able to adopt? Do I need to hire an attorney?
I certainly didn't have anyone to help me navigate these complicated questions so I am thankful we get to dig into this today.
I will be sharing what happens when you have an allegation, how long the investigation takes and what does Founded, unfounded and unable to determine actually mean.
 
If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review and then join our Facebook community of like-minded mamas at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
 

An unbelievably true story: He was diagnosed with non-verbal autism, labeled as feral and then he began to speak.

I got the call asking me to take him in as a foster care placement when he was 6. I had no idea the level of care that he would require but I was willing to try. The caseworker warned me that this would be a challenging case because of his level of abuse and neglect but I didn't know what I didn't know. She told me that he had non-verbal autism (ASD), was labeled as feral and was extremely traumatized. 
When I picked him up from a Mcdonalds parking lot, we never imagined the growth and transformation that would happen within a period of 6 years. 
This is our story. 
If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review on the app that you found me on. Then, I would love for you to join our Facebook community of likeminded mamas at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen
I am so thankful you found me and can't wait to hear about your journey.
Christine Marie