[Encore] Ep. 61: National Adoption Awareness Month

Show Notes Join my PATREON squad for special perks, including bonus podcast episodes, exclusive posts, and resources.  Subscribe for resources and ideas for happier, more connected families.  This is an encore presentation of one of my favorite episodes. Enjoy! You don’t have to adopt or foster a kid to help kids in the system. There is so much need. You can volunteer. Especially for older kids, you can provide scholarships or skills training… Don’t forget these children in your communities. Just think about some way you or your family can contribute. It can even be as simple as taking a meal to a foster family. Audrey Monke In Episode 61, for November’s National Adoption Month, I’m chatting with Anne Driscoll, owner of Branches Books & Gifts in Oakhurst, California. We talk about our families’ experiences with adoption and share advice for prospective adoptive parents. Big Ideas We compare and contrast international adoption and domestic foster care adoption. Which route to take depends on many factors, including the family's preferences, composition, and timing. Many view the adoption process as a path to parenthood. For others, it is a way to offer assistance to children in need. For all adoptive parents, it’s an emotional road and involves a lot of preparation, vetting, and waiting. Advice for prospective adoptive parents: Be honest about what you can handle. Identify what strengths you have to pair with child’s needs. Be gentle with yourself. Expect many highs and lows. Volunteer Opportunities: Independent Living Programs (ILP) for foster kids as they age out of the system Teaching skills (cooking, financial management, hobbies, auto care, etc.) Become a CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates  There are many ways to help! Quotes Anne: "It’s a huge decision, not to be taken lightly because no matter what the scenario, there is still a sense of loss because they are not with their biological parents. There is a visceral emotion tied to it which you have to be aware of." Anne: “When you see (your child) succeeding and feeling good about themselves and hopefully starting to heal, it is the most rewarding thing ever." Audrey: “It has been one of my life’s greatest joys and also one of my biggest challenges.” Audrey and Anne: “We both love our kids dearly and they are such incredible human beings – so resilient, amazing and strong. They are going to do great things. It has been a privilege to have them in our families.” Audrey: “The more years in, the better things get!” Links National Adoption Month. 2018 theme is: "In Their Own Words: Lifting Up Youth Voices." Today’s Hoda Kotb Opens Up about her adoption 20 Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew by Sherrie Eldridge The Connected Child by Karyn Purvis (recommended for all parents) The Whole-Brain Child and The Yes Brain by Tina Payne Bryson and Dan Siegel CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates Related Posts & Podcast Episodes Ep. 97: Parenting the Challenging Child Ep. 95: Raising a “Yes Brain” Child with Tina Payne Bryson Ep. 123: Connection Comes First Ep: 136: Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D. on Showing Up for our Kids During COVID-19 If you liked this episode, you might want to listen to Episode 31, where I interview Tosha Schore, co-author of Listen: Five Simple Tools to Meet Your Everyday Parenting Challenges. Listen to Episode 55, my podcast on Raising Kids who Love to Read with Anne Driscoll. Read my blog post, Learning to Breathe. Adoption Resources AdoptUSKids Adoption resources at childwelfare.gov Heartbeat International About National Adoption Month Show Hope