I’ve been intending on writing this blog since this summer. Obviously I never got around to it until now. I just wanted to share with you a little about a podcast I had found. It is, of course, about foster care and is something I would recommend to anyone interested in the foster care or fost-to-adopt process. It is hosted by T & W, a young Christian couple who live in California. They shared their story in such a very real, raw way that you couldn't help fall in love with them and their family. I think the fact that you could hear their voice and the emotion helps allow you to really connect with them. Sometimes there was tears, but there was also a whole lot of laughter.
T&W fostered for a while before eventually adopting sibling girls. The podcast mostly covers their journey of bringing the girls into their home, first as foster kids, and then all the way through to the finalization of their adoptions. (I guess I just ruined the end of their story for you, didn't I?! ha!) They did foster other children while having their girls, and so share stories from those & their previous fostering experiences as well.
I found this podcast in of all places, Pinterest! And, when I did come upon them they had already been posting for a couple of years and had recorded over 100 episodes. I chose to listen to 2 or 3 episodes that looked interesting (each is titled & has a summary) before deciding that I’d just start from the beginning. It took me just under two weeks to listen to what took them years to record. I actually felt a little guilty – as if I did their journey an injustice by traveling it’s entire course it just a couple of weeks. But, I realized that was kind of the point. They created it to share their journey with friends and family but also inspire and help those interested in starting their own journey. When they were going through the process they searched for a resource such as this without any luck. So, they created this podcast as a way to fill that need for other people.
Considering each episode was around 30 minutes, they have shared over 50 hours of what they have learned about foster care and adoption from their own personal experiences. They shared about seemingly everything. They shared tips about fostering agencies, bio family visitations, what it is like in the court room, how to get the appropriate help for your child at school (many Foster kids are behind in school), books & other resources, trials foster/adoptive children face, and just all the things that can happen in the crazy, everyday life of fostering. I learned SO much about the system and how it works (at least in California...every state differs in their rules & regulations).
So much information in fact that shortly after beginning to listen to their podcast I realized the need to actually take notes while doing so. I ended up with quite a long list of things to take away from what they had to share. A list of books to read (some of which I've already read now), ideas on how to parent or deal with certain foster-specific situations, quotes (that I don't think maybe they intended to be "quotes"), tips on making the child feel a part of the family, privacy, the loss felt when a foster child moves on, etc. SO, so, so much stuff I can't list it all here!
They also were just great inspiration and encouragement. They always had such faith in God no matter what happened during their journey. And, they managed to approach almost every situation with a bit of humor....at least later! They also let me off the hook for feeling guilty about not being able to provide certain things and what a strength it is to truly understand my limitations. I'm so glad I took notes, but also feel like listening to it all again could be beneficial...as I didn't take notes at the beginning.
They no longer record new podcasts regularly, as they have settled into life with their girls and no longer foster. Though, that may change as I think they suggested in their last post that they are considering fostering again. Either way, this foster parenting podcast is awesome and an amazing learning tool for anyone considering foster care/adoption. Or, just for anyone who knows someone (that means you!) who is fostering and would like to learn more about it.
You can find them at:
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