Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster & Kinship Care

Creating a Family
  • 4.7 (297)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

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 the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: weekly podcasts, weekly articles, and resource pages on all aspects of family building at our website, CreatingaFamily.org. We also have an active presence on many social media platforms. Please like or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

  1. 1d ago ·  Video

    Raising Kids, Caring for Parents

    Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Raising kids while caring for aging parents is more common than ever—and often overwhelming. We talk with Robyn Wind, the GRAND Voices Support Coordinator for the National Center on Grandfamilies at Generations United, about the realities of sandwich generation caregiving and practical ways foster, adoptive, and kinship families can find support.  In this episode, we discuss: Can we start with a working definition of the term “sandwich generation”?How have you seen that definition evolve in recent years? From your work with the National Center on Grandfamilies and Generations United, what are you seeing right now that suggests this is becoming a bigger issue? What are the most common pressures you hear caregivers talk about?Where do you see caregivers feeling the most “pulled apart” between generations for whom they are caring? What are the moments when they feel like they can’t meet everyone’s needs at once?Are there differences in how this shows up for: Parents of young children vs. teens? Kinship caregivers or grandparents raising grandchildren? Many of our listeners are already parenting children with trauma or complex needs. How does that layer onto sandwich caregiving? Do you see unique challenges for kinship caregivers who may already be caring for grandchildren and are now also caring for aging spouses or siblings? What are some ways systems unintentionally fail these families? Where do they tend to fall through the cracks? What would better support look like if systems were truly designed for multigenerational families? What are the early signs that a caregiver is stretched too thin and at risk?What does realistic self-care actually look like in this season of life? How do you advise the caregivers you support to balance guilt or feelings of inadequacy, given that there is SO much need on both sides of their sandwich?What supports should caregivers try to put in place early? How can families share this sandwich-caring experience more effectively, instead of having one person carry it all? What resources or programs from Generations United should caregivers know about? What strengths do you see in sandwich generation families that we don’t talk about enough? Resources: 'Sandwich generation' caregivers caught between two generations in needCaring for Those Who Are Caring for Everyone: The Sandwich Generation Generations UnitedGrandfamilies.orgGKSNetwork.orgGrandfamilies & Kinship University - Generations UnitedSupport 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 Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family building

    37 min

  2. 5d ago ·  Video

    How to Get a Birth Certificate & SSN After Your Baby’s Adoption - Weekend Wisdom

    Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Question: I’m in the process of adopting an infant and feeling overwhelmed by the paperwork. How do I get my child’s birth certificate and Social Security number after the adoption is finalized? What steps do I need to take, what documents are required, and how does this vary by state? Resources: Where to Write for Vital Records: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health StatisticsSocial Security AdministrationSupport 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 Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family building

    9 min

  3. May 27 ·  Video

    A Hard but Helpful Step: Navigating Residential Treatment for Adopted Kids

    Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Are you considering residential treatment for your adopted child? We speak with Daniel Hochstetler of Fair Play Camp in South Carolina about preparing our families for residential treatment, navigating the programs, and how to set our families up for success after treatment.  In this episode, we talk about: Pursuing residential treatment is one of the hardest decisions adoptive families can face. Based on your experience, how should we think about residential treatment within the broader picture of supporting our adopted kids? (i.e., exists on the spectrum of resources and interventions)Before we get into the details, what do you want adoptive families to hear right away if residential treatment is something they think they may need to consider?When we say residential treatment in this conversation, what does that mean?How is it different from other supports families may have already tried, like therapy, out-patient programs, or in-home services?What kinds of needs is residential treatment for adopted kids designed to meet?In your experience, how can residential care be helpful for kids and families who are really struggling?What are some misunderstandings that make this option feel more frightening or confusing than it needs to be?This is where many parents feel stuck. What are some signs that a family may need to start thinking about a higher level of care?Who should be part of making this decision? How can adoptive parents make sure they’re not making it in isolation?When a family finds it necessary to move forward to placement in residential care, how can they talk with their child about residential treatment in a way that keeps the relationship intact?What reactions should parents expect, and how can they respond in ways that don’t escalate their child’s fear or shame?How can families stay connected while their child is in care?What helps parents partner well with the treatment team?Coming home is an important goal for parents and their kids to work toward. But it’s not a reset button that magically clears the cache. It is, however, another transition. And transitions can be hard on everyone.What can you help our listeners understand about the transition home from the child’s perspective?How should we be talking with our kids before leaving the residential program?What are realistic expectations for those first few weeks?What supports should already be in place before a child comes home? (work with caseworker from treatment, get recommendations, referrals, etc.)What are some simple ways to rebuild a connection without overwhelming the child?When old behaviors resurface—and they often do—how should parents respond?What does progress actually look like in real life during this phase?This experience affects everyone in the home. How can parents support siblings who may have been impacted by what’s happened?Parents are often exhausted by this point. What does realistic, doable support look like for caregivers themselves?If a parent listening today feels like they’re nearing this decision, what’s one step they can take to feel more grounded and prepared for the experience?Resources: Parenting Children with Challenging Behavior (Resource Page)Accessing Residential Treatment Care for AdopteesExploring Medication for Adopted ChildrenDoes Your Child Need Residential TreatmentGet Residential Treatment for Your ChildSupport 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 Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family building

    59 min

  4. May 23 ·  Video

    ADHD or Trauma? How Foster Parents Can Advocate at School - Weekend Wisdom

    Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Question: The school thinks my foster son may have ADHD, but I know he’s been through a lot of trauma. How do I know what’s driving his behavior and how to advocate for the support he actually needs? Resources: The Grandparents' Guide to Back to SchoolHow Do Teachers Understand Adoption and What Can Parents Do About It?A Parent's Guide to Working with the Schools on BehaviorBack to School with Foster and Adopted KidsUnderstood.orgSupport 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 Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family building

    11 min

  5. May 20 ·  Video

    The Power of Showing Up for Families Before They Fall Apart

    Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! What if families had support before a crisis led to foster care? In this episode, we talk with Dr. David Anderson, psychologist and founder and executive director of SAFE Families for Children, about a community-based model that helps keep children safe while supporting parents through difficult seasons. Dr. Anderson also serves as Executive Director of Lydia Home Association in Chicago and has been recognized as an Ashoka Fellow and Prime Movers Fellow. In this episode, we discuss: For someone new to SAFE Families, how would you explain what it is?Can you share a little about yourself and what drew you to create SAFE Families?Who are the families you serve, and what situations bring them to you?Why is a program like SAFE Families especially needed right now?What happens to families when this kind of support isn’t available?How is SAFE Families different from traditional foster care?What kinds of training and screening do volunteers undergo?What support do volunteers receive along the way?What are the main ways people can get involved?Can you share a story or two that captures the impact of SAFE Families?What do families or volunteers often say after being part of this?Who tends to be a great fit for this kind of role?What hesitations do you hear most, and what would you say to those concerns?If one of our listeners is interested in serving this community, what’s the first step to get involved?For a parent or caregiver listening today who feels underwater or overwhelmed, what encouragement can you offer?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 inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family building

    51 min

  6. May 16

    Is Fostering Going to Hurt My Kids? - Weekend Wisdom

    Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Question: We are seriously considering becoming foster parents.  We have 2 children by birth, and I am really worried about how this will affect them and what I can do to prevent some of the negative effects. Resources: The Impact of Fostering and Adoption on Kids Already in the Family (Resource)Talking with your Resident Kids about Foster Care or Kinship Care (Resource)What You Should Know About Disrupting Birth Order in Adoption & 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 the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family building

    9 min

  7. May 13 ·  Video

    Strengthening Foster Families

    Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Foster families are doing significant work to support both the children in their homes and the parents of those kids. What do they need to thrive in this work? We talk with Cathleen Bearse, a licensed therapist, foster mom, and the creator of Fearless Fostering. She supports foster and adoptive parents with practical tools, emotional guidance, and trauma-informed strategies with her real-life experiences and clinical expertise. In this episode, we talk about: Your organization is called ‘Fearless Fostering’ – what does that mean to you right now in the work that you do with foster families every day?What makes fostering profoundly worth it in your life and in your family, even when it’s hard?What are some unexpected joys in fostering that people don’t hear about enough?When things feel heavy, how do you recommend resource parents reconnect with their ‘why’?What are the challenges that catch foster parents off guard the most?Where do you see foster parents becoming depleted or overwhelmed?What is often misunderstood about the emotional weight of fostering?How does isolation show up in foster parenting?How can fostering strain a household without the right support?What patterns have you seen in marriages or partnerships under stress?How does chronic stress show up in foster parents’ mental and physical health?What early warning signs should families not ignore?If you could give every foster parent four supports, what would they be?CommunityTherapeutic SpacePermission to UnschedulePermission to Focus on “Just You”What does realistic self-care actually look like for foster parents?Where should foster parents begin if they realize they need more support?How can they pursue continuing education without becoming overwhelmed?What would you say to someone who wants to foster but fears they aren’t strong enough?What is one message you want every foster parent to hear today?Finally, what would a strengthened foster family look like five years from now if we truly supported them well?Resources: Self-care for Foster ParentsWhat is Respite Care and How Do I Access It?What Foster Parents Want You to Know About FosteringSupport 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 Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family building

    54 min

  8. May 9

    What Trauma Really Does to a Child’s Brain (and Why Behavior Can Be So Hard) - Weekend Wisdom

    Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Question: I’m new to raising my grandchild and still learning about trauma. People keep saying it changes a child’s brain, but I don’t really understand what that means. What does trauma actually do to the brain, and how does that show up in behavior at home or school? Resources: The Three Es: Understanding the Impacts of TraumaA Conversation with Dr. Bruce Perry About TraumaHow Trauma Impacts a Child's DevelopmentMeeting Children Where They Are: The Neurosequential Model of TherapeuticsSupport 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 Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family building

    16 min
See All (984)

Trailer

4.7
out of 5
297 Ratings

About

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 the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: weekly podcasts, weekly articles, and resource pages on all aspects of family building at our website, CreatingaFamily.org. We also have an active presence on many social media platforms. Please like or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

Information

You Might Also Like