Adoption Wise

Latest Episodes:

#49: Talking Honestly about Adoption with Mike Berry Aug 06, 2019

Show notes

Do you ever wish you had an experienced adoptive/foster parent available to answer your questions night or day? If you do, you're going to love hearing from Mike Berry about the new book he and his wife, Kristin, wrote. Honestly Adoption: Answers to 101 Questions about Adoption and Foster Care is being released today, August 6, 2019! Each question is its own chapter so it's easy to find answers right when you need them. Don't miss this fun and interesting interview as Mike shares their purpose in writing this book and even also tells us a little about the process. Relevant Resources and Links: Order the book and get some bonuses Mike and Kristin's webiste #22: Winning the Heart of Your Child with Mike Berry #38: Fostering and Adopting Teens with Kristin Berry #24: My 2 Parts in the Triad: Melissa’s Story of Being an Adoptee and Adoptive Mom #47: Lessons in Parenting from Adult Adoptee and Adoptive Mom Jeri Lea Kroll

#48: [Mentor Moment] How Do I Know If A Behavior Is Due To Adoption And Trauma or Just Typical Kid Behavior? Jul 30, 2019

Show notes

Mentor Moments give you a chance to join the conversation as we answer a listener question. These episodes guarantee we're providing the most helpful tools and resources for exactly where you are. This week's question is: How do I know if a behavior is due to adoption and trauma or just typical kid behavior? Share your experience and advice in our private Facebook group. Click here to join. Do you have a question you'd like us to answer on a future episode? Call our listener hotline, 24 hours a day, at (208) 741-3880 to record your question.

#47: Lessons in Parenting from Adult Adoptee and Adoptive Mom Jeri Lea Kroll Jul 23, 2019

Show notes

If you're anything like us, you love adoption stories, especially when told by different members of the adoption triad. You'll especially love hearing today's guest, Jeri Lea Kroll, tell her story of being an adoptee and later becoming an adoptive mom. We were captivated. Jeri Lea is also a therapist; you can imagine how rich this interview is. Don't miss this one if you want to understand the adoptee perspective, and how her experience impacts that way she parents her daughter. Relevant Resources and Links: #24: My 2 Parts in the Triad: Melissa’s Story of Being an Adoptee and Adoptive Mom Jeri Lea's website Visit Jeri Lea on Facebook

#46: [Mentor Moment] Should I Test and Diagnose My Adopted Child? Jul 16, 2019

Show notes

Mentor Moments give you a chance to join the conversation as we answer a listener question. These episodes guarantee we're providing the most helpful tools and resources for exactly where you are. This week's question is: My child has more challenges than nearly any other child I know. Should I have my child tested and diagnosed? Share your experience and advice in our private Facebook group. Click here to join. Do you have a question you'd like us to answer on a future episode? Call our listener hotline, 24 hours a day, at (208) 741-3880 to record your question.

#45: One Family’s Story of Perseverance with Emily Norton Jul 09, 2019

Show notes

Ever wonder what would happen if God suddenly gave you the opportunity to share what is most important to you? This is what happened to our guest, Emily Norton, when a video about her and her husband (then fiance) went viral with millions of views. "Quadriplegics do not simply walk again - yet millions watched as Chris Norton took ten nearly impossible steps. With his fiancée, Emily, supporting at his side, those unbelievable steps became the start of an extraordinary journey for them both." ~Amazon Their story is one of incredible perseverance and following God in unexpected ways. Emily will infuse you with joy as she shares her very unique story of becoming a foster and adoptive mom. Relevant Resources and Links: The Seven Longest Yards* by Chris and Emily Norton Click here to preview the first 2 chapters of the audiobook for The Seven Longest Yards* Connect with Emily on Instagram Connect with Chris on Instagram Watch their YouTube videos #14: Joys and Challenges of Fostering and Adopting as a Single Mom (Molly Ford also talks about post-adoption depression) #38: Fostering and Adopting Teens with Kristin Berry *affiliate link

#44: [Mentor Moment] Should I Homeschool My Adopted Child? Jun 25, 2019

Show notes

Mentor Moments give you a chance to join the conversation as we answer a listener question. These episodes guarantee we're providing the most helpful tools and resources for exactly where you are. This week's question is: Should I homeschool my adopted child? Share your experience and advice in our private Facebook group. Click here to join. Do you have a question you'd like us to answer on a future episode? Call our listener hotline, 24 hours a day, at (208) 741-3880 to record your question.

#43: Setting Realistic Expectations to Help Your Child Succeed with Deb Jones Jun 18, 2019

Show notes

Today's episode is for every mom with kids from "hard places" and especially moms whose children have brain differences due to trauma, prenatal exposure, or other factors. Debbie Jones is the adoptive mom of a young adult son with FASD. Today she shares her wisdom and wealth of experience with setting realistic expectations for our children in order to help them succeed. Her story is honest, real, and filled with hope. Don't miss it! Links Relevant to this episode: Connect with Deb on Facebook God, Are You Nice or Mean?: Trusting God . . . After the Orphanage* by Deb Jones #40: Parenting Kids with FASDs and Invisible Disabilities Successfully with Eileen Devine *This is an affiliate link

#42: Practically Preparing For Your Adoption or Fostering Journey – The 6 most important things you need to do Jun 11, 2019

Show notes

If you've ever wanted to ask experienced adoptive and foster moms what practical things they would recommend you do before bringing new children into your family, this episode is for you. If you are in the midst of fostering or adopting, you'll get fresh ideas to help you as you parent and love your kids. This is the second half of a discussion we began last week about preparing to become foster or adoptive parents. Last week, we discussed internal preparations: mental, emotional, and spiritual. Today we're talking about the 6 most important practical things you can do to prepare for being an adoptive/foster parent. 1. Simplify your life - your stuff and your schedule. 2. Get all the "things" done beforehand. 3. Build your tribe. 4. Prepare answers for hard or ignorant questions. 5. Consider all of your children's safety. 6. Plan some fun while you wait. Click here to download a transcript for this episode. Links Relevant to this episode: The Adoption Connection Facebook group Episode 04: How to Talk to Your Kids About Their Story Episode 41: Mentally Preparing For Your Adoption or Fostering Journey – The 11 most important things you need to know 8 Ways to Help an Adoptive or Foster Mom What to Look for in a Mental Health Professional Video Melissa used to prep her friend's tribe W.I.S.E. Up! Book

# 41: Mentally Preparing For Your Adoption or Fostering Journey – The 11 most important things you need to know Jun 04, 2019

Show notes

If you've ever wanted to ask experienced adoptive and foster moms what they would recommend you do before bringing new children into your family, this episode is for you. If you are in the midst of fostering or adopting, you'll get fresh ideas to help you as you parent and love your kids. Today we're talking about 11 things you can do to prepare mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually for being an adoptive/foster parent. The 11 Most Important Things You Need to Know 1. Take care of yourself and your marriage. 2. Have realistic expectations. 3. Understand what you can control - and what you can't. 4. Be flexible. 5. Educate yourself. 6. Define success appropriately. 7. Remember that what's normal for you may not be normal for your kids. 8. Be mindful that your kids' perception is their reality. 9. Embrace radical acceptance. 10. Understand your history and how it affects your parenting. 11. Remember it's a marathon and not a sprint. Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can: And wisdom to know the difference. Click here to download a transcript for this episode. Links Relevant to this episode: The Adoption Connection Facebook group Episode 09: Are Newborn Adoptions Easier? (with Rebecca Vahle) Episode 31: 7 Ways for Parents to Relieve a Stressed-Out Brain Episode 40: Parenting Kids with FASDs and Invisible Disabilities Successfully with Eileen Devine Melissa's post that shows the pyramid where we need to be the solid foundation The Connected Child * by Karyn Purvis Books by Dan Siegel * Books by Daniel Hughes * 8 Ways to Help an Adoptive or Foster Mom *This is an affiliate link. Thanks for supporting our work!

#40: Parenting Kids with FASDs and Invisible Disabilities Successfully with Eileen Devine May 28, 2019

Show notes

If your child's brain has been affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol, drugs, extreme stress, or other factors, there are 8 areas of brain function that may be affected: Developmental level of functioning: Social skills and adaptive behavior Sensory systems, sensory-motor integration Nutrition Language and communication Processing pace Learning and Memory Abstract thinking Executive functioning Don't miss this interview with Eileen Devine, LCSW, an expert on FASDs. She discusses the challenges for kids with brain differences and their parents and offers helpful strategies that really work! Links Relevant to this episode: Visit Eileen's Blog Connect with Eileen on Facebook Connect with Eileen on Instagram Trying Differently Rather Than Harder: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders* by Diane Malbin Video for Teachers by Nate Sheets Ira Chasnoff's Website The Mystery of Risk: Drugs, Alcohol, Pregnancy, and the Vulnerable Child* by Ira Chasnoff Facebook group: Shifting the paradigm: towards a neuro-behavioral approach to FASD *This is an affiliate link

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