Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!

This week I am joined with Daryl Potter. Daryl doesn’t have adopted or fostered children but he does have a miraculous daughter with complex medical needs and another biological son. Whether your kids are biological, adopted, or fostered, there are universal truths in parenting and along with it circumstances which take us to the brink of our capacity–physical, emotional, mental and even spiritual.

In this episode specifically we are looking at the unique challenges of raising kids with complex medical needs. Daryl shares his personal experiences, insights, and advice for you if you’re in the trenches of that right now. This may be a calling on your life – to adopt or foster children with complex needs – or this is a circumstance out of your control in your biological children. Whatever the case may be, the grueling long nights in hospitals, the panic, the fear, the weight of it all can wear you down. This is why Daryl shares how mindfulness as found in Ecclesiastes is so powerful and a Biblical tool for managing it.

Here are a few key takeaways:

• Navigating parenting with complex needs requires emotional resilience.
• Communication is key in marriage, especially during challenging times.
• Personal growth often comes from facing unexpected parenting challenges.
• Building a support network is crucial for families dealing with special needs.
• It's important to maintain perspective in difficult situations.
• Mindfulness can help parents enjoy the present moment.
• Parents should learn to express their emotions, including vulnerability.
• Children can be affected by the caregiving dynamics in the family.
• It's essential to listen to children's feelings and experiences.
• Finding joy in small moments can help alleviate stress.

Connect more with Daryl on his website or social media.

You can also check out his books! He recommends your local library but you can also purchase wherever books are sold. The books he explicitly mentions are:

“Something More: Living Well in a Broken World” and “Even the Monsters. Living with Grief, Loss, and Depression: A Journey through the Book of Job”

Christian Parenting’s latest resource: Friday Favorites Newsletter

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. 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!

This week I am joined with an adult adoptee and new author, Emmanual Jean Russle. Emmanuel grew up in Haiti with his grandmother before being adopted into the United States. In our conversation, we briefly discuss his upbringing and transition to the states and then Emmanuel shares his passion for sharing this message: God has a plan for every child. Emmanuel also offers encouragement to adoptive families navigating their unique journeys.

Here are a few key takeaways:

• Emmanuel's story highlights the importance of purpose in every child's life.
• Adoption can bring about significant changes, but love and support are crucial.
• Quality time spent with children fosters a sense of belonging.
• Every child's experience with adoption is unique and should be respected.
• Parents should treat adopted children as they would biological children.
• It's essential to acknowledge and celebrate a child's heritage.
• Prayer and guidance are vital for families considering adoption.
• Books can be powerful tools for understanding and discussing adoption.

Connect more with Emmanuel on social media.

Check out his book: “Hello! My Name is Emmanuel - An inspiring true story of adoption, celebrating new”

Christian Parenting’s latest resource: Friday Favorites Newsletter

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. 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!

This week I am joined with Dana Hargrus, a mental health counselor with over twenty-five years of experience in trauma-informed care. We discuss the innovative approach of biofeedback in helping foster and adoptive parents navigate the challenges of caring for children from hard places. Dana shares her personal journey as a foster and adoptive parent, emphasizing the importance of connection and healthy attachment in mental health. The conversation highlights the need for alternative solutions to traditional medication and discipline methods, advocating for a more compassionate and understanding approach to parenting.

Here are a few key takeaways:

• Biofeedback is a form of brain exercise that helps improve mental health.
• Connection is essential for healing trauma in children.
• Punishment and discipline are often ineffective for children from hard places.
• Healthy attachment is crucial for mental health and can be developed at any age.
• Parents should focus on building connections rather than enforcing strict discipline.
• The current mental health system often fails children in foster care.
• Biofeedback can be a beneficial alternative to medication for managing mental health issues.
• Understanding a child's trauma history is key to effective parenting.
• Parents need support and resources to navigate the challenges of foster care and adoption.
• It's never too late for healing and change in a child's life.

Learn more about Dana’s practice Restore of Ada by calling 580-453-1076 or email them at contact@restoreofada.com or you can find their website https://restoreofada.com/about-restore

Check out Dana’s resource, a brief podcast about trauma: Find it on Apple or Spotify.

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com. 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!