Episode 92 – But I Thought We Said No

Life and foster parenting take an unexpected turn for T & W.  Tomorrow we welcome a new long term placement into our family.  Listen in to learn more about Nolan and Luke.

Episode 91 – What’s a Mommy and Daddy?

D & K begin a new phase in life with a new placement.  They are two boys; Dillon and Austin.  Hear about their transition from a different foster home into their potential forever family.  D & K discuss their own transition from being the Mommy and Daddy for Tommy and Molly to their transition to the Mommy and Daddy for Dillon and Austin.

Episode 90 – A New Starfish Story

starfish stranded on the beachEveryone seems to love the “Starfish Story” by Loren Eiseley. We’ve got a new take on this old classic and promise you’ll never see starfish the same way again.  This is an episode you won’t want to miss; it matters to this one!

Photo courtesy of OrangeCounty_Girl

Episode 89 – Kids in Residential Treatment Centers

W interviews Rich Bobby, a social worker specializing in kids in residential treatment centers.  They discus the differences between juvenile hall, group homes and residential treatment.  This episode will help you discern if you’re prepared to help a child transition from residential treatment to a family.  Also some great advice that can help you parent any child.

You can follow Rich on twitter at http://twitter.com/RichardBobby

Episode 88 – What if the Kids Are Taken Away?

W & K at Together for Adoption Conference

K & W at Together for Adoption Conference

W & K share a rare episode.  They were both at the “Together for Adoption” Conference and recorded a podcast while they were there.  W asks K about her emotions after reunifying Tommy and Molly with their birth mother. This is the episode to listen to if you’re worried about forming an attachment and then letting the kids go.

We’d like to let our listeners know about another new podcast by foster parents.  It’s called “The Journey“.  They’ve got a unique story.  We wish them the best as they begin podcasting and parenting. http://thejourneycast.com/

Episode 87 – Dealing with False Allegations

After a great many request, T & W found an education on false allegations. We discuss the 4 different types of allegations against foster parents as well as the differences between unfounded, inconclusive and substantiated.  Listen in on how to avoid false allegations and what to do if you’re falsely accused.

Episode 86 – Preparing for Reunification

D & K are preparing Tommy and Molly for their upcoming reunification with their birth mom.  They discuss the increase in birth parent visits and how they’re feeling about the kids moving out of their home. Discover the deep-seated controversy that may rip their home apart (okay, not really).

Episode 85 – What It’s Like to Get Adopted

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.

Episode 84 – Ask a Social Worker

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.

Episode 83 – Finding the Right Child for You

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.