Called to Love: An Adoption Podcast for Christian Parents - Christian Adoption, Trauma and Healing, Foster Care, Parenting Ad

Christian Parenting
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Whether you seek to add to your family through foster care, private domestic adoption or you are called to travel internationally, every adoption story is uniquely beautiful. Yet, each shares a common language of calling, loss, and hardship. As Christian parents we have a deep desire to love and shepherd our children well, but it can be challenging to navigate loss, trauma and how to best love and guide our adopted children. One thing is for sure, adoption is more than a process, it is an invitation to go on a holy journey with the Lord and with your family. Like any journey, there will be valleys along with mountain tops and battles along with the beauty. The good news is, what the Lord calls you to, He will equip you for. Wherever you are in your journey, Called to Love is here to bring you a weekly dose of encouragement from the practical, clinical, and Biblical perspective along with personal stories from adoptive parents, adult adoptees and advice from various experts to help your family thrive in your journey and continue to say “yes” to your own call to love. Called to Love is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    The Truth About Complex Shame

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  This week I am joined with Dr. Zoe Shaw. Dr. Zoe is a licensed psychotherapist, author, speaker and an expert on what she calls “Complex Shame”. She is also a busy mom of five kids, and actually part of her story is being a birth-mom. We talk a lot about being adoptive and foster parents, and this conversation gives us a small glimpse of a birth-mom’s experience. For Dr. Zoe, it was an experience filled with shame.   This episode is all about unpacking that: shame. All of us experience shame to different degrees, in fact its origins can be seen in the first few chapters of Genesis, where Adam and Eve are ashamed and hide from God. That is how Dr. Zoe describes and differentiates shame and guilt: shame is when we hide. Shame can be destructive and impact our relationships.  This is incredibly important for us to understand as parents, to navigate our own shame, and also to help us better understand our kids’ shame.  Here are a few key takeaways:  Shame causes us to hide and affects our relationships.There is a difference between guilt and shame.Guilt can lead to positive change, while shame distances us from God.Complex shame is often tied to past trauma and experiences.Recognizing our shame story is crucial for self-worth.Healthy emotional boundaries allow for better relationships.Walking alongside children helps them process their feelings.Writing can be a powerful tool for communication with children.Repairing relationships requires acknowledging our own shame.Healing from shame is a journey that involves vulnerability. Connect more with Dr. Zoe Shaw on her website or on instagram. You can also buy her new book, “Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame” Christian Parenting’s latest resource: Friday Favorites Newsletter  You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

    35 min

  2. 23 SEPT

    Navigating the Challenges of Raising Children with Complex Needs

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  This week I am joined with Daryl Potter. Daryl doesn’t have adopted or fostered children but he does have a miraculous daughter with complex medical needs and another biological son. Whether your kids are biological, adopted, or fostered, there are universal truths in parenting and along with it circumstances which take us to the brink of our capacity–physical, emotional, mental and even spiritual.  In this episode specifically we are looking at the unique challenges of raising kids with complex medical needs. Daryl shares his personal experiences, insights, and advice for you if you’re in the trenches of that right now. This may be a calling on your life – to adopt or foster children with complex needs – or this is a circumstance out of your control in your biological children. Whatever the case may be, the grueling long nights in hospitals, the panic, the fear, the weight of it all can wear you down. This is why Daryl shares how mindfulness as found in Ecclesiastes is so powerful and a Biblical tool for managing it.  Here are a few key takeaways:  Navigating parenting with complex needs requires emotional resilience.Communication is key in marriage, especially during challenging times.Personal growth often comes from facing unexpected parenting challenges.Building a support network is crucial for families dealing with special needs.It's important to maintain perspective in difficult situations.Mindfulness can help parents enjoy the present moment.Parents should learn to express their emotions, including vulnerability.Children can be affected by the caregiving dynamics in the family.It's essential to listen to children's feelings and experiences.Finding joy in small moments can help alleviate stress.  Connect more with Daryl on his website or social media.  You can also check out his books! He recommends your local library but you can also purchase wherever books are sold. The books he explicitly mentions are:  “Something More: Living Well in a Broken World” and “Even the Monsters. Living with Grief, Loss, and Depression: A Journey through the Book of Job” Christian Parenting’s latest resource: Friday Favorites Newsletter  You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

    39 min

  3. 16 SEPT

    God Has A Plan for Every Child

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  This week I am joined with an adult adoptee and new author, Emmanual Jean Russle. Emmanuel grew up in Haiti with his grandmother before being adopted into the United States. In our conversation, we briefly discuss his upbringing and transition to the states and then Emmanuel shares his passion for sharing this message: God has a plan for  every child. Emmanuel also offers encouragement to adoptive families navigating their unique journeys. Here are a few key takeaways:  Emmanuel's story highlights the importance of purpose in every child's life.Adoption can bring about significant changes, but love and support are crucial.Quality time spent with children fosters a sense of belonging.Every child's experience with adoption is unique and should be respected.Parents should treat adopted children as they would biological children.It's essential to acknowledge and celebrate a child's heritage.Prayer and guidance are vital for families considering adoption.Books can be powerful tools for understanding and discussing adoption. Connect more with Emmanuel on social media.  Check out his book: “Hello! My Name is Emmanuel - An inspiring true story of adoption, celebrating new” Christian Parenting’s latest resource: Friday Favorites Newsletter  You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

    21 min

  4. 9 SEPT

    How Biofeedback Can Help Your Foster and Adopted Kids

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  This week I am joined with Dana Hargrus, a mental health counselor with over twenty-five years of experience in trauma-informed care. We discuss the innovative approach of biofeedback in helping foster and adoptive parents navigate the challenges of caring for children from hard places. Dana shares her personal journey as a foster and adoptive parent, emphasizing the importance of connection and healthy attachment in mental health. The conversation highlights the need for alternative solutions to traditional medication and discipline methods, advocating for a more compassionate and understanding approach to parenting. Here are a few key takeaways:  Biofeedback is a form of brain exercise that helps improve mental health.Connection is essential for healing trauma in children.Punishment and discipline are often ineffective for children from hard places.Healthy attachment is crucial for mental health and can be developed at any age.Parents should focus on building connections rather than enforcing strict discipline.The current mental health system often fails children in foster care.Biofeedback can be a beneficial alternative to medication for managing mental health issues.Understanding a child's trauma history is key to effective parenting.Parents need support and resources to navigate the challenges of foster care and adoption.It's never too late for healing and change in a child's life. Learn more about Dana’s practice Restore of Ada by calling 580-453-1076 or email them at contact@restoreofada.com or you can find their website https://restoreofada.com/about-restore  Check out Dana’s resource, a brief podcast about trauma: Find it on Apple or Spotify.  You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

    45 min

  5. 8 SEPT

    BONUS: Praying for your kids this school year

    Hey friends, today we’ve got something special for you: a bonus episode straight from the Pardon the Mess podcast! Every Monday, host Courtney DeFeo shares a short prayer to help you lift up your kids. This year’s series follows Christian Parenting’s brand new prayer journal, A Great Cloud of Witnesses.  Each week highlights a biblical hero of the faith, paired with Scripture-based prayers for your kids. Here is a sneak peek into week one: This first week is all about Noah—a man of incredible faith and obedience. While the world around him turned away from God, Noah walked in righteousness. Building the ark probably looked foolish to everyone else, but Noah trusted God’s word even when it didn’t make sense. That’s the kind of faith we want for our kids: to listen to God’s voice over any others and walk confidently with Him even when it means standing apart. If you love this episode and don’t have your copy of A Great Cloud of Witnesses yet, it’s not too late to get yours! Go ChristianParenting.org to get your copy and follow along. And don’t forget to tune in to Pardon the Mess every Monday for more prayer episodes.  Order A Great Cloud of Witnesses today Follow Pardon the Mess on Apple or Spotify Called to Love is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

    12 min

  6. 2 SEPT

    Your Motherhood is NOT Wasted

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  This week I am joined with Abby Halberstadt, who’s been on the show before. Abby is a busy mom of ten biological kids, homeschools all of them, builds houses with her husband, and works as a fitness instructor, but most importantly she is a woman firmly planted on a Biblical foundation. In this conversation, we unpack the myth she shares in her recent book “You Bet Your Stretchmarks” which is a myth that your motherhood is wasted. Even though Abby has biological kids, all of us as foster and adoptive moms have the scars of motherhood and often the mundane and thankless jobs of wiping bottoms, sleepless nights, and sweeping cheerios can make us ask, “Is this worth it?” Abby reminds us that our motherhoods are eternally significant and callings from God. Even if our acts of love are unthanked and unseen, those sacrifices have an immeasurable impact.  Abby also walks us through some of the lies in our culture that prey upon moms and their identities. She strongly encourages us to find our contentment in God and not in comparing ourselves to others. Our culture, and the Enemy through it, are feeding lies to moms that they are alone and the motherhood experience is all negative. We know, however, through scripture that nothing is wasted.  Here are a few key takeaways:  Motherhood is a calling of eternal significance.The 'wasted mother myth' undermines the value of motherhood.Daily sacrifices of mothers are meaningful and sacred.Creating rhythms in daily life can help manage overwhelm.Contentment comes from focusing on God's word, not worldly standards.Community support is essential but not always available.Every act of motherhood, no matter how small, has value.Mothers should not compare their journeys to others.Recognizing the mundane as sacred can transform perspective.Motherhood is a legacy that impacts future generations. Learn more about Abby on her website and social media or buy her new book “You Bet Your Stretchmarks!” wherever you get your books, like Amazon.  You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

    32 min

  7. 26 AUG

    Raising Godly Sons

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  This week I am joined with author and busy mom, friend of the show, Molly DeFrank! Molly is the proud mom of six kids, ages ranging from teenagers to young ones, both biological and adopted. Her family has also fostered children, and her two adopted kids came first from fostering.  In this episode, we are talking specifically about raising Godly sons as we live in a world that is telling them their masculinity is toxic and they just need to sit still. Anyone with a little boy knows they have so much energy and can’t focus, and while this may be frustrating it is also how God made them. Molly wrote a book titled, “Mothering Boys: 8 Things Your Son Needs From You Before He Turns 10” which has inspired this conversation. Especially if you have children in your home who come from foster care, they may have negative relationships to masculinity, either from bad male role models, failed father figures, or even abuse.  We have such an important role as parents to train up these kids, help shape and root their identity in God, and establish their worldview. Let’s talk about the practical ways we can help them be empowered young men for Christ!  Here are a few key takeaways:  Boys face societal pressures that can negatively impact their self-worth.Building connection and trust is essential for effective parenting.Simple moments can create meaningful connections with boys.Unconditional love is crucial for boys to feel safe and accepted.Storytelling can help boys understand their identity and values.Creating safe spaces for boys to fail fosters resilience.Moms should focus on their own well-being to better support their children. Learn more about Molly on her website or connect with her on social media!  Interested in her book? Click here to learn more!  You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

    35 min

  8. 19 AUG

    5 Ways to Help Your Child Recover After Dysregulation

    Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!  This is the fifth and final episode in this summer series breaking down how to emotionally regulate your household, tips that I have learned and personally used and hope will benefit you. Specifically, this episode wraps up our series as I talk about five ways you can recover after a dysregulation incident. There is so much adrenaline rushing in our kiddos bodies, and maybe even in our own, that it is very unlikely things will “go back to normal” or what you or the child was doing before the breakdown. So, what do you do?  I have five methods we use in our household: presence, gentle touch, pressure, going outside, and playing. In this episode, I dive deeper into each one of these with some clear examples as well!  I would love to hear from you if you begin using these strategies or share ones you’ve found that work in your household!  Here are a few key takeaways:  Your presence as their safe and trusted caregiver is invaluable.Gentle touch can help regulate the central nervous system.Pressure can offset pent-up energy in children.Going outside and grounding can aid recovery.Fun and play are essential for emotional healing.Laughter can create positive connections with children.Caregivers must discern the right approach for each child.Nurturing after dysregulation is crucial for recovery.Building trust takes time and patience. Free Downloadable Resource From Somer: Click Here & Enter Your Email You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

    15 min
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Whether you seek to add to your family through foster care, private domestic adoption or you are called to travel internationally, every adoption story is uniquely beautiful. Yet, each shares a common language of calling, loss, and hardship. As Christian parents we have a deep desire to love and shepherd our children well, but it can be challenging to navigate loss, trauma and how to best love and guide our adopted children. One thing is for sure, adoption is more than a process, it is an invitation to go on a holy journey with the Lord and with your family. Like any journey, there will be valleys along with mountain tops and battles along with the beauty. The good news is, what the Lord calls you to, He will equip you for. Wherever you are in your journey, Called to Love is here to bring you a weekly dose of encouragement from the practical, clinical, and Biblical perspective along with personal stories from adoptive parents, adult adoptees and advice from various experts to help your family thrive in your journey and continue to say “yes” to your own call to love. Called to Love is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

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