Refresher: Mindful Parenting with Kelly Hamilton Part 1

Jep and Jessica Robertson, most well-known for being part of the Duck Dynasty Robertson Family, have joined me on this episode to share their adoption journey. Like many beginnings to the adoption process, it was the wife's idea. Jessica wanted to adopt but Jep was hesitant, and Jessica thought it made sense. They already have four biological children, were super busy in the successful business, homeschooling, and part of the reality TV show! But after Jep experienced a mission trip in the Dominican Republic, he realized he wanted to adopt.

Adoption, however, is not as easy as it sounds, and even after you bring home that child there is still a lot of trauma to walk through and challenges ahead. Jep and Jessica share their story and offer encouragement, and share how having a strong support system and a strong marriage make all the difference.

Plus, Jep and Jessica want to share this amazing resource for you and your family! A brand new, interactive book about a tiger named Valor who's adopted. Learn more about the book by clicking this link.

You can also learn more about the organization Jep works for called All God's Children.

And you can follow them on social media!

If you're new to this podcast, I just want to say welcome!

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!

Joining me on this episode is author, podcaster, and foster-mom: Bethany Adkins.

In this two-part series, Bethany shares part of her story with foster care and the heartache that comes with it... but also the incredible God-filled joy. They also discuss the need for not just people who "love you" but people who "get you" and what the difference is. They also the discuss the refining power of this calling and how it changed her and her husband.

You can learn more about Bethany on her website or Instagram, and check out her podcast and YouTube channel!

If you're new to this podcast, I just want to say welcome!

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!

Joining me on this episode is author, podcaster, and foster-mom: Bethany Adkins.

In this two-part series, Bethany shares part of her story with fostercare and the heartache that comes with it... but also the incredible God-filled joy. They also discuss the need for not just people who "love you" but people who "get you" and what the difference is. They also the discuss the refining power of this calling and how it changed her and her husband.

You can learn more about Bethany on her website or Instagram, and check out her podcast and YouTube channel!

If you're new to this podcast, I just want to say welcome!

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!

Joining me on this episode is a sexual abuse survivor and author: Ben Locke.

When Ben Locke was in his darkest valleys, he was determined to tell God exactly what he thought. He poured out his agony and anger--and was met with God's grace, love, forgiveness, and mercy. He discovered in those moments that God can handle it. All of it.

In this episode, Somer and Ben discuss how the church should handle sexual abuse, some of the signs to watch out for as parents, and the deep hope there is in Christ through this suffering.

You can get your copy of Ben's book here on Amazon or wherever you find your books!

So glad you're here to join us!

If you're new to this podcast, I just want to say welcome!

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!

Joining me on this episode is animator, author, and father of four adopted children: Tim Wolkiewicz.

Tim is a very talented animator who has worked on Veggietales, Hasbros Transformers Rescue Bots, Warner Brothers Green Eggs and Ham, and Disneys Monsters At Work." He is also passionate about adoption and foster care. Him and his wife both fostered and adopted children, two of which internationally. With this passion, he created a children's activity book specifically for adopted and foster kids called "The Flock."

In this episode, Tim and I discuss:

• His family's story and how they came into this calling
• How important it is for both husband and wife to be on board for this calling
• How this calling doesn't just impact the child you're adopting or fostering, but it has an impact on the bio family and social workers and more.

Tim also encourages us to find support groups, trust God, and be in a church body that raises you up in this calling, "it takes a church."

There is a lot on the plates of foster and adoptive parents. In many ways, they take on several hats, becoming therapists, lawyers, taxi drivers, just with all the appointments and paperwork to navigate... and with this stress comes burn out and with burn out comes tension in the household. That is why it is so important to be supported by family, friends, and church.

Through all of it, God is at work: you are not alone.

Check out Tim's new interactive comic book: The Flock here on his Etsy store.

You can also connect with him about the book via email: [email protected]

Or connect with him on social media or his website.

So glad you're here to join us!

If you're new to this podcast, I just want to say welcome!

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!