Helping Kids Navigate Their Adoption Story

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 

In this episode, I am joined by Kate Rietema. Kate is an author, speaker, and mama to five kiddos, some adopted and some biological. In our conversation, we discuss how to navigate sharing your childs adoption story with them. Adoption is beautiful but it comes at a huge loss, a heartbreak for our kids, and it can be hard to share this with them or help them understand it in a way that helps them still feel loved and chosen. 

Stories are powerful and the stories our foster and adoptive kids tell themselves have a huge impact on their identity and worldview; that is why it is crucial we carefully craft a story that rings true Biblically. It is also important to pause when our child wants to tell us something about their past, and be there, listening and supporting.  

Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: 

• Storytelling helps build strong identities in adopted children.
• It's important to highlight both the difficult and beautiful aspects of adoption.
• Creating a culture of openness allows for ongoing conversations.
• Children often want to hear stories about themselves.
• Patience is key when introducing sensitive topics.
• Listening is more important than responding immediately.
• Resources like life books can help children understand their stories.
• Trusting in the Lord's plan is essential for adoptive parents.

Connect with Kate on Instagram or check out her website 

You can also find her books on Amazon or wherever you find your books. 

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. 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!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 

In this episode, I am joined by a dear friend, author, speaker, and host of the Radical Radiance podcast, Rebecca George. Rebecca is sharing her heart and experiences as we discuss Gods timing and how hard it is to wait. Our hearts are longing, especially in this calling, and that longing isnt bad but it can easily turn into an idol. So, how do we navigate this God-given longing while honoring Him in the waiting? 

The truth is the longing doesnt stop even when weve reached the point weve been praying and waiting for. A new longing takes its place. This is why it is so important we learn how to be present with God in the season Hes put us in right now and trust His timing. 

Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: 

• You're not too late, trust God's timing.
• Longing leads to more longing in life.
• It's important to celebrate others' blessings.
• You need a support system in your journey.
• Be honest before the Lord about your desires.
• Don't miss out on your life today.
• Learn how to talk about your journey.
• Your longing is valid and part of your story.

Connect with Rebecca on Instagram or her website! Listen to the Radical Radiance podcast wherever you find your podcasts. 

Check out her brand new book, which sparked todays conversation: Youre Not Too Late: Trusting Gods Timing in a Hurry-Up World

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. 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!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 

In this episode, I am joined by a fellow adoptive mom, Megan May. Megan is also a self-published book author and creator of the You Matter Boutique which is designed to create meaningful things for both birth-moms and adoptive moms. Originally, Megan wanted zero kids, but God had other plans. Now Megan is the joyful mother to three biological children and one adoptive daughter. 

God does not offer us happiness or comfort in this life but we can definitely experience His joy which is far greater. God also likes to change our plans and change our hearts, which is exactly what happened to Megan. Adoption can feel scary, stressful, and daunting as we might feel unequipped, imposter syndrome, and uncertaintythats why we wanted to emphasize the joy in this episode! 

Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: 

• Adoption can bring immense joy despite its challenges.
• Finding joy in the hard moments is essential.
• It's okay to feel doubt and fear when considering adoption.
• Choosing joy is a daily decision that can transform lives.
• Creating a culture of joy in the home is vital for family dynamics.
• Community support can help find joy during tough times.

Find Megans Self Published Book: From Zero to Four - My Journey Of Stepping Into A Life I Did Not Plan  

Check out the You Matter Boutique 

Follow Megan on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/youmatter.boutique/ 

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. 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!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 

In this episode, I am joined by author and adoptive father, Matt Lambert. Matt and his wife live in the UK with their two adopted children. Through the adoption experience, Matt unpacked some of his own brokenness and began to experience spiritual healing as he was adopted by God. This inspired him to write his book Adopted by God: Healing Through Connection to the Father which is the topic of our conversation. How does the adoption process bring up your own burdens, childhood memories or trauma? For Matt, it was feeling disconnected and misunderstood by his own parents, because he was weird. He reframed this as an adoptive parent in a lightbulb moment as being wired by God in a unique way. This realization helped him in raising his adoptive children, who also have attachment and connection struggles. 

Together, we talk about the spiritual healing that can happen with this calling because it is so closely aligned to Gods love for us - adopting His broken children. We are broken as parents, so how do we raise our adopted and fostered kids, who inherently experience brokenness too? 

Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: 

• Adoption can lead to significant personal growth.
• Therapeutic parenting is essential for adoptive families.
• Self-examination is crucial for effective parenting.
• Neurodiversity impacts family dynamics and parenting styles.
• Healing often comes through understanding one's own brokenness.
• Parenting is a long-term journey, not a quick fix.

Matt Lamberts Book: Adopted by God: Healing through connection to the Father

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. 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!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 

In this episode, I ask the question posed by many in the foster care system: should I adopt my foster kids? How will I know if that is what God is calling me to do? Or what if He says no? I share statistics, information, but also share my personal experience where God told our family no to an adoption and I was not expecting it. As I like to say, in this calling you must love fiercely and hold loosely. In this calling, you have to be prepared for the unexpected, various outcomes, unknown possibilities and know God is with you every step of the way. Prayer is crucial, as well as unity in your marriage, and your support systems. 

Hopefully, through this episode, you are better equipped to face those situations 

Here are a few takeaways: 

• Statistics show that 400,000 children enter foster care annually.
• Adoption through foster care is often unpredictable.
• Foster parents must guard their hearts due to impermanence.
• Congruent planning can put pressure on foster parents.
• Unity in marriage is crucial for decision-making.
• Children in the home should be a top consideration.
• Not every foster child is meant to be adopted.
• Peace in decision-making is a sign of God's will.
• Listening to your body's stress signals is important.

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. 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!