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A very special episode in which we interview our daughters Andrea and Linda.  Make sure to catch our new “listener corner” jingle sent in by Dan, host of the new podcast “Fostering with Love“.  Make sure to check out his show. http://fosteringwithlove.blogspot.com/

Here are the pictures mentioned in this episode.

If you are going to look at the pictures while listening to the embedded player, we recommend you use the “Play in Popup” feature below.  Clicking on a photo will open the image in your current window.

Standard Podcast [ 32:45 | 29.98 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Our special guest, Amber, answers listener questions from the perspective of a county social worker in California.

Topics include:

• What information should and should not be kept from a foster parent?
• Why does it feel like my social worker hates it when I ask questions?
• Getting along with your social worker
• Getting faster responses
• How often to expect visits from your social worker
• Advocating for your child
• Finding out about court dates and case progress
• What does a bio-family need to do in order to reunify?

We’d like to especially thank Amber for spending her time answering our questions. To interact with Amber and other listeners, use the comment section.

Standard Podcast [ 39:15 | 35.97 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We explore the issues that surround finding the right child for you and your family. There are three important questions that should be seriously considered as you approach this important and delicate topic. We suggest a number of ways to prepare your life and your home for your child.

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D & K give and update on their last court date with some unexpected results. They discuss what’s next for their family, how Molly and Tommy are handling things and how they emotional navigate “a crazy system.”

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D & K face the anxiety of an approaching court date that may terminate Tommy and Molly’s mother’s parental rights. This may mean that D & K will already be adopting. Hear how they’re facing the unknown and what they’ve been learning.

The Detroit News recently did a story about the shortage of foster parents in Michigan. The article can be found here.

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We answer a listener question on how best to get extended family involved in the life of foster children. Should you restrict contact at first in order to develop attachment with you first? What if your extended family isn’t crazy about adoption or foster care, how do you bring them along?

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D & K tearfully say good-bye to Scotty and hello to Tommy and Molly. Tommy is a newborn and Molly is almost two. Listen to how their lives have changed in the last month.

Standard Podcast [ 29:03 | 26.63 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We experienced our first post-adoption visit with Andrea and Linda’s birth mother.  Our first step into open adoption was a bit nerve-racking beforehand, but it went better than we  expected.

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We respond to a recent news story about allegations of abuse within a foster care home.  We’ve got some specifics ideas on what can prevent this kind of thing from happening and what YOU can do about it.

The news story we reference can be found here.

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D & K jump right into all of the awkwardness of being foster parents.  From handling a little boy’s questions, to sitting in court with the birth parents, and turning down other placements.  Within three weeks they’ve been exposed to a lot.