Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption & Foster Care

Creating a Family

Are you thinking about adopting or fostering a child? Confused about all the options and wondering where to begin? Or are you an adoptive or foster parent or kinship caregiver trying to be the best parent possible to this precious child? This is the podcast for you! Every week, we interview leading experts for an hour, discussing the topics you care about in deciding whether to adopt/foster or how to be a better parent. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are the national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: weekly podcasts, weekly articles, and resource pages on all aspects of family building at our website, CreatingAFamily.org. We also have an active presence on many social media platforms. Please like or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

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Kids & FamilyKids & Family

Episodes

Teacher Doesn't Believe My Child Has Experienced Trauma - Weekend Wisdom
2d ago
Teacher Doesn't Believe My Child Has Experienced Trauma - Weekend Wisdom
Question: We adopted our son at two, but we were his foster parents since he was three months. He is now in second grade and is really struggling in school both academically and with bad behaviors. His teacher is not open to hearing me talk about trauma and how his trauma is impacting his learning and behavior. I think she thinks that since he’s been with us for almost his entire life that he hasn’t had trauma. We seem to be getting nowhere with her. Do you have any suggestions for helping her understand that there may be a cause for his struggles other than just being bad?We welcome our guest Sarah Naish, the CEO and Founder of the Centre of Excellence in Child Trauma in the UK to contribute to answering this question. Sarah is the adoptive parent of five siblings, a former Social Worker, and the author of many books on foster parenting, including The A-Z of Trauma-Informed Teaching. Resources:Helping Our Children Heal from Trauma (Resource page)Parenting Kids with Challenging Behaviors (Resource page)Back to School ResourcesThis podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family buildingPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamilySupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamily
Understanding and Overcoming Blocked Care
6d ago
Understanding and Overcoming Blocked Care
Are you struggling to feel connected to your child? Do you sometimes wish you could turn the clock back and not be parenting this child? If so, you need to listen to this interview with Melissa Corkum, adoptee, adoptive mom, and co-author of Reclaim Compassion: The Adoptive Parent’s Guide to Overcoming Blocked Care with Neuroscience and Faith.In this episode, we cover:What is blocked care, and how does it differ from blocked trust?What is the attachment cycle?What is the blocked care cycle?Does it only happen when parenting children with more extreme behavior issues?What causes a well-meaning parent not to be able to attach and bond with their adopted child?Is it more common with kinship caregivers—especially non-grandparents?What are the common emotions for parents who are experiencing blocked care?Ten signs of blocked care. To take the free assessment.   What can we do about this feeling of not liking or loving our child? We’ll give some specific examples.Be kind to your body.Establish a healthy mindset.Surround yourself with life-giving people.Connect with your child.Can the situation have gone too far? This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family buildingPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamilySupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamily
Evaluating Risk Factors in Domestic Adoption
Mar 6 2024
Evaluating Risk Factors in Domestic Adoption
Are you thinking about domestic infant adoption? This is an interview you must listen to! We talk with adoption medicine pediatrician, Dr. Todd Ochs, about common risk factors you should know about before adopting an infant.In this episode, we cover:Common Risk Factors in Domestic Infant AdoptionLack of prenatal care.Why do expectant moms who are considering making an adoption plan often have limited prenatal care?What is covered in prenatal care and how might a lack of prenatal care impact a baby?PrematurityWhat causes a premature birth?Poor prenatal care?Are expectant moms who are considering making an adoption plan more likely to have a premature birth?What are the risks with a premature birth based on the degree of prematurity?Prenatal exposureAlcoholWhat are some red flags that a mom might have abused alcohol during her pregnancy?Does the degree of impact differ depending on when alcohol was consumed in the pregnancy?What are the long- and short-term impacts of alcohol consumption on a child exposed prenatally?Very often, you will not have a diagnosis of FASD and won’t be detected in the hospital post-natally.Resources to help parents of a child exposed to alcohol. Creating a Family has a facilitated interactive training for foster, adoptive, and kinship parents to help recognize kids who may have been prenatally exposed to alcohol or drugs, and best practices for helping this child thrive, on-demand courses, and additional resources on the long- and short-term impacts of prenatal substance exposure – visit the Raising a Child with Prenatal Exposure for find more information. Opioids List of opioid drugs in increasing degree of strengthCodeine.Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Hycodan)Morphine (MS Contin, Kadian)Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percoset)Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)HeroinMethadone, SuboxoneFentanyl (Duragesic)Does the degree of impact differ depending on when in the pregnancy the opioid was used?Does the degree of long-term impact differ depending on whether the baby was born dependent or with a diagnosis of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome?What are the long- and short-term impacts of opioid exposure on a child exposed prenatally?Does the impact differ depending on what drug was involved or whether it was a legal or illegal drug?Methamphetamine CocaineMarijuanaHallucinogens, including EcstasyMental Health IssuesWhat is the genetic connection for the following mental health disorders? How heritable are these mental illnesses?Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias.Depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders.Personality disorders (antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, obsessive-compulsive)Psychotic disorders, including schizophreniaADHDAutistic Spectrum DisordersLegal Risk FactorsMost often in domestic infant adoption, the primary legal risk factor is an unknown or unidentified birth fatherControlled by state lawWork with your agency or attorney to understand the risk and what must be done to reduce your risk.Please review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamilySupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamily
An Interview with Author Nicole Chung
Feb 21 2024
An Interview with Author Nicole Chung
Nicole Chung, author of All You Can Ever Know, has done it again with another wonderful memoir about growing up as a transracial adoptee and then losing both her adoptive parents. A Living Remedy is a story about family love and loss, regardless of how the family is formed.In this episode, we discuss:Family love. You were well, if not always perfectly, loved.You were temperamentally different from your parents, especially your dad. This may be more common in adoption. How did these differences impact you growing up?Things my mom sent me, I sent my mom, my mom gave me. Growing out of the socioeconomic level you were raised in.Your mother thought you were ashamed of them. What is middle class?There is a big difference between being working class and middle class.“Our “broke” bore no resemblance to my parent's “broke.” …We always had options.The impact of lack of money on health.Impact of Covid on families trying to care for loved ones.Your sister Cindy. Cindy wasn’t well-loved. How did she deal with the differences in her life vs your life?This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family buildingPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamilySupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamily
Adoption Microaggressions Parents Need to Know About
Feb 7 2024
Adoption Microaggressions Parents Need to Know About
What are the microaggressions or stigmas in the world of adoption and how do they impact adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents?  We talk with Dr. Amanda Baden, a Professor and the Doctoral Program Director at Montclair State University in the graduate counseling program and a licensed psychologist in private practice in Manhattan. She is an adult adoptee from Hong Kong and an adoptive parent of a daughter from China.In this episode, we cover:What are microaggessions in general and how do they apply to adoption? These microaggressions apply to all members of the adoption kinship network (adoptees; adoptive parents, grandparents, siblings; first/birth parents/grandparents).Where do some of the unconscious attitudes and stigmas toward adoption come from? Common microaggression themes for adoptees:biology is best/normative is based upon the belief that biological ties are superior, more permanent, and more authentic than ties formed through adoption or foster care bad seed adoptees or damaged goodsgrateful adoptees, a third theme, refers to the idea of adoptees as both lucky and privileged to have been adopted cultural limbo and invalidation of heritage What are some of the microagressions against birth parents?What are some of the microaggressions against adoptive parents?Lack of intent to hurt.How can microsaggressions impact the mental health?Danger of a Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieThis podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family buildingPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamilySupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamily
How to Create a Compelling Adoptive Parent Profile
Jan 31 2024
How to Create a Compelling Adoptive Parent Profile
How can you create an adoptive parent profile to help you stand out and show what makes you unique? To find out, join our guests Erin Quick, the Founder and CEO of PairTree and an adoptive mom, and Jess Nelson, the profile creation provider at Pairtree and a two-time birth mom.In this episode, we cover:What are Adoptive Parent Profiles?What other names might they go by?Each agency or attorney has their own preference, but the goal is to be yourself and to represent your family honestly. What are the different ways that agencies use profiles?Do agencies share your home study with the expectant mom or couple?How many profiles is an expectant mother or couple usually given to look at?Does each adoption agency or adoption attorney have different info they want you to share?What are the elements of a “good” profile?What should be on your cover?What sections/topics should you include?Should you discuss your thoughts on openness in adoption?Is a “closing “important?How many pictures should you include in an adoptive parent profile?Are captions to the pictures important?Quality of the pictures.Should you include a video if your adoption portfolio is digital?What type of pictures should you avoid?How to handle pictures with alcohol in them?Is there anything different you would suggest for single prospective parents? female and male Is there anything different you would suggest for LGBTQ+ prospective adoptive parents?How do you show your family support when you do not have a close family because of death or estrangement?What if your house or apartment does not look good or does not photograph well? What format should you use: hardback book, booklet, online, or stapled together?How many copies should you print? How important is the adoptive parent portfolio in the expectant parent’s decision-making?What is the experience like for an expectant mom or couple to go through profiles.Birth Parent Experiences in Adoption (1 hour Creating a Family podcast)A Panel of Birth Moms Talk About Adoption (1 hour Creating a Family podcast)This podcast is produced  by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family buildingPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamilySupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamily
An Adoption Memoir with Susan Ito
Jan 24 2024
An Adoption Memoir with Susan Ito
Join us for a wonderful discussion with author and performer Susan Kiyo Ito about her new memoir, I Would Meet You Anywhere. This is a book adoptive parents should read!In this episode, we cover:It felt like much of the tension between you and your birth mother was due to her desire to keep you a secret and your desire to be seen. And also her desire to be in control of this relationship.The harsh reality that adoption reunions between adoptees and birth families can be fraught with lots of conflicting emotions. In the book I Would Meet You Anywhere, you describe this tension. “Once again, I was the secret held by our mother. I was wilting under the weight of all the not telling. Still, I couldn't resist Yumi’s siren call. I would crash on the rocks of her.” It’s not about us—the adoptive parents. It was your quest to be whole. Talk with us about your relationship with your parents—your adoptive parents –and yet still feeling a longing to understand and connect with your biological parents and roots. Did reunion change your concept of what family is?Primal wound.Why is the phrase “You’re so lucky” so off the mark, even for someone like you who had what seems like a loving, not idyllic, but fine upbringing?Japanese American parents raised you, but you sometimes felt not Japanese enough because of your white biological father. How have you made meaning out of your “biracialness”? The importance of being in a community with other adopted people.Has your birth mother read the book, and if so, has it impacted your relationship?This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family buildingPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamilySupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamily
Adoption Tax Credit 2023
Jan 17 2024
Adoption Tax Credit 2023
Could you qualify for the Adoption Tax Credit? Find out by listening to this podcast with Becky Wilmoth, an Enrolled Agent and Adoption Tax Credit Specialist with Bill’s Tax Service, and Josh Kroll, the Adoption Subsidy Resource Center coordinator at Families Rising (formerly the NACAC).In this episode, we cover:What is the Adoption Tax Credit for adoption being claimed on 2023 federal taxes?What is a “credit” and how does it differ from a deduction or some other form of tax savings?If you get a tax refund every year, how would you use the Adoption Tax Credit?If you don’t have any federal tax liability, should you still apply the credit to your federal income taxes?What type of adoptions are included or excluded? Stepparent adoption? Embryo adoption? Same-sex partner second parent adoption? Unmarried heterosexual second parent adoption? Surrogacy?Can you get credit for each adoption you complete even if completed in the same year? What about adopting siblings at the same time?What is a Qualified Adoption Expense for purposes of the Adoption Tax Credit 2022?When can you claim the Adoption Tax Credit?Domestic private adoptionInternational AdoptionRe-adoption in the US for international adoptionFoster Care AdoptionHow does the Adoption Tax Credit work with kinship adoptions? What if the child never was involved with the foster care?Special Needs Adoption: How does the Adoption Tax Credit differ for adoptions from foster care? What does the IRS accept as proof of “special needs”?$0 subsidy agreementSpecial needs child for international adoptionCan you reclaim your expenses for an attempted adoption that did not result in a placement? How?What income level (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) is excluded from claiming the Adoption Tax Credit in 2022?How long can the credit be carried over?Are you able to amend previous year tax return to claim adoption tax credit? Is adoption tax credit something you can amend for, and if so, how do you amend and how many years back?Will the Adoption Tax Credit offset self-employment tax?How does the Secure Act impact claiming the Adoption Tax Credit for 2023 taxes?What should you do if the child’s Social Security Number is unavailable when you file?Should you use an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number (ATIN #) if you don’t have the child’s social security number?How does the Adoption Tax Credit work in conjunction with employee adoption benefits? For special needs adoption?Qualified Birth or Adoption Distribution from Qualified Retirement Plan without penalty. Under Secure Act.If you adopt, can you still get the Child Tax Credit?What do you need in order to get the Child Tax Credit for your adopted child?Do you need to send to the IRS any documentation for the Adoption Tax Credit when you file your taxes? What type of documentation should you keep in your records?How to find a tax specialist knowledgeable on the Adoption Tax Credit? https://adoptiontaxcredit.orgHow to advocate for refundability?This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:Weekly podcastsSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamily
How to Adopt in 2024
Jan 10 2024
How to Adopt in 2024
Are you considering adopting this year? Don't miss this podcast on how to adopt in 2024. Our guests are Teresa Bernu, the Associate Director at the Adoption Center of Illinois, and Steve Valdez, the Chief Operating Officer at Hand in Hand International Adoptions. Teresa Bernu has over 13 years of experience in the child welfare field, dealing with a wide range of cases, including domestic infant adoption, foster care, and guardianship. Steve Valdez holds a B.A. in Public Relations, a Master of Divinity, and an M.A. in Psychology. He’s an adopted dad of 5 kids through foster care adoption.In this episode, we cover:Domestic infant private adoption in the USWhat is the process?What are the reasons that pregnant moms are placing their child?Open adoptionExpectant parent choiceSpecial needs of children availableHow long does it take? What factors influence this time?How much does it cost? What factors influence this cost?Adoption agency and adoption attorneyWhat is the first step prospective adoptive parents should take if they are interested in adopting a baby?Adoptions from foster care in the USWhat is the process?Adopting your foster childAdopting a waiting childWhat are the reasons that children come into foster care in the US?What age and race of child is available for adoption from foster care?Special needs?How long does it take?How much does it cost?What is the first step prospective adoptive parents should take if they are interested in adopting from foster care?International adoptions to the US What is the process?What types of special needs do children available for adoption from abroad have?How long does it take? What factors influence this time?How much does it cost? What factors influence this cost?What is the first step prospective adoptive parents should take if they are interested in adopting internationally?Additional resources:Adoptions in the US: How Many? How Much? How Long?Choosing an Adoption Agency or Attorney This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family buildingPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamilySupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamily