Teaching Your Child They Are Chosen With Dorian Stewart

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 

In this episode, I am joined with the amazing author and adoptive mom, Dorian Stewart. Dorian has written the Promise Pals series, which was envisioned when she realized there werent many resources and books out there for adopted kids. Adopted kids are just as much chosen and wanted as biological children, especially since we are all adopted by our Heavenly Father. This is something Dorian and her husband wanted to strongly emphasize with their daughter. In our conversation, we discuss exactly how they enforced positive messaging for their child, how they prayed for their daughters biological family, and how to answer the hard questions their child asks. 

Here are a few takeaways: 

• The journey of adoption can be seen as God's divine blueprint.
• Positive affirmations are crucial for building confidence in children.
• Infusing God's truth into daily life helps children understand their identity.
• Creating safe spaces for children to ask questions is essential.
• Adoption should be framed as a loving choice, not a rejection.

You can learn more and connect with Dorian Stewart on social media and find her books! 

https://www.facebook.com/dorian.mcdonald.90/ 

https://www.instagram.com/de_stewarts/

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dorian-Stewart/author/B08WM36MJP?ref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share%3Flanguage%3Des&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=0127f328-2b6f-40e9-8dfc-6321bf6506c9 

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 with an incredible guest: Lisa C. Qualls. Lisa is the proud mother of both biological and adopted children, twelve in fact, and is an accomplished author, speaker, and Enneagram coach with TBRI training. Together, we focus on the concept of 'blocked care'a self-protective mechanism that can hinder emotional connection between parents and children. 

Lisa shares her personal journey into adoption, the challenges faced, and the development of her ministry aimed at supporting adoptive and foster families. We discuss the neuroscience behind blocked care, signs to recognize it, and the importance of acknowledging these feelings to begin healing and reconnecting with children. Our conversation helps explain the concept of blocked care, its effects on parents, and practical strategies for overcoming it. We discuss the importance of understanding the nervous system, building supportive relationships, and finding hope through simple practices like breath prayer. We emphasize the need for self-care and the significance of recognizing beauty in everyday life as a means to combat feelings of overwhelm and despair. A great and practical technique is YAHWEH breathing, because sometimes we simply dont have words when we are so depleted. 

Here are a few takeaways: 

• Blocked care is a common experience among adoptive parents.
• Parents often feel shame for not feeling the love they expected.
• Acknowledging blocked care is the first step to healing.
• The Connected Child was a pivotal resource for many adoptive parents.
• Parenting children with trauma requires ongoing support and education.
• It's important to find community and resources to navigate the challenges of adoption. 
• Caring for the nervous system is essential for recovery.
• Simple activities like walking can help regulate the nervous system.
• Sleep is crucial for managing stress and blocked care.
• Negativity bias can hinder our ability to see joy and beauty.

You can learn more and connect with Lisa C. Qualls with these resources:

https://www.lisacqualls.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lisacqualls/?hl=en

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 very special guest! I first met Allison when she taught at an adoption support group last Fall, and I just knew she had to be on the podcast! Allison is a trauma informed sleep expert, something which did not exist when she was raising her adopted son who struggled at night. Needless to say, sleep is crucial for everyones healthphysical, mental, and emotional! Yet sleep is not something we as parents fully understand and that is why this episode is so important. 

Together, Allison and I emphasize the importance of understanding the emotional and psychological aspects of sleep, shifting parental mindsets, and providing children with tools to help them feel safe and secure at bedtime. We discuss the complexities of parenting, particularly in the context of sleep issues faced by children. We explore the importance of consistency in parenting, the need for trial and error in finding effective strategies, and the significance of creating a safe and comforting sleep environment. We also address the impact of sleep deprivation on both children and parents, emphasizing the necessity of community support and self-care for caregivers. We highlight the emotional challenges faced by parents, particularly those in foster care and adoption, and offer practical advice for building confidence and reframing expectations in the parenting journey. 

I learned so much from Allison and I know you will too! So many eye-opening points which help me reframe my understanding of sleep and trauma, and how the two are connected. Here are a few key takeaways: 

-Sleep is a vulnerable act for children, especially those with trauma.

-Understanding the emotional triggers around sleep is crucial.

-Parents should shift their mindset from discipline to support during sleep struggles.

-Adding tools to a child's sleep routine can help them feel more secure.

-It's important to view sleep as an opportunity for bonding and connection.

-Children need time to adjust to new environments and routines.

-Parents should approach sleep challenges with compassion and understanding.

-Building trust takes time and consistency in sleep routines . 

I am so glad youve decided to join us today! Below are ways to connect with Allison:

https://www.dwellpediatricsleep.com/about-me 

https://www.instagram.com/dwellpediatricsleep/ 

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 Della Lago, an adoptive mom and  advocate for how Christians everywhere can play a role in supporting teens in the foster care system. Della shares her personal journey of adopting a 17-year-old girl from a group home, discussing the challenges and triumphs of building trust and connection. Our conversation highlights the realities faced by teens aging out of foster care, the importance of community support, and the need for a safe space for these youth to dream and thrive.

 Della emphasizes that every child deserves a family and encourages listeners to step up and make a difference. She also shares the importance of understanding trauma, the need for community support, and the role of faith in the healing process. Together, we provide practical advice for families considering foster care and highlights the significance of being open to unexpected joys and connections that come with this journey. 

I am so glad youve decided to join us today! Below are resources from Della to learn more:  

https://nationalcasagal.org/ 

https://bethany.org/

https://enotahcasa.org/ 

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 Whitney Newby, author of the new book Lift Your Eyes: Daily Invitations to Behold Christ in Motherhood, founder of Brighter Day Press, and a homeschooling mom of four. Whitney joins me to talk about the challenges and beauty of motherhood, particularly in the context of foster care and adoption. 

Whitney shares insights from her upcoming devotional based on Psalm 121, emphasizing God's attributes as a source of comfort and strength for mothers. Our conversation highlights the importance of relying on God for help and rest amidst the demands of parenting. Together, we explore the challenges of motherhood, emphasizing the importance of faith in God's provision, overcoming feelings of failure and comparison, and finding stillness amidst the chaos. We also offer practical ways to lift our eyes to Christ and incorporate biblical truths into daily rhythms, encouraging mothers to trust in God's promises and create an atmosphere of worship in their homes.

Here are a few takeaways: 

-Psalm 121 is a comforting scripture for mothers.

-God's attributes provide strength and reassurance in motherhood.

-Jesus invites us to find rest in Him amidst our weariness.

-God's grace is sufficient for us in our weaknesses.

-We need to lean on God as our helper and provider. Leaning into faith in God's provision is essential for mothers.

-Comparison can lead to feelings of isolation and guilt.

-Living out our faith in front of our children is impactful.

Connect with Whitney: 

Website

New book

Instagram

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!