ADOPTION STRUGGLES AND SUPPORT | Adoption Trauma, Parenting Guides, Biblical Encouragement, Respite, Anxiety Bible Verses

Has your adopted child ever experienced loss, rejection, or disappointment when seeking connection with their birth family? 💔 It’s a deep, emotional pain that can shake both the child and the parent who longs to protect them. 💭 Hi Neighbor, When an adoptee reaches out to their birth family and is rejected, the pain can be overwhelming. In this emotional and practical conversation, adoption professional Jane Baker shares how adoptive parents can respond with empathy, compassion, and presence instead of platitudes. Learn what to say, how to support your child’s heart, and how to help them grieve without feeling alone. This is the final installment in our series on supporting adopted children as they learn their story and navigate reunions with birth parents. In earlier episodes: • Episode 210 focused on adopted children who simply want to know their story and how to answer their questions with honesty, empathy, and clarity. • Episode 212 explored what to say when your child’s story is painful or difficult to tell. • Episode 217 shared guidance on supporting your child when they reconnect with birth family, regardless of the outcome. In this conversation, Jane teaches us about the power of empathy and how to sit with our children in their grief instead of trying to fix, minimize, or explain it away. Together, we explore how to: 🔍 Support your child through the raw emotions of rejection, grief, and disappointment. 💬 Avoid platitudes that shut down emotional expression like, “Don’t cry” or “It’s God’s will.” 🧭 Prepare emotionally to hold space for your child’s pain without being overwhelmed yourself. 🌿 Reinforce their value and remind them they are never to blame for the actions of others. Jane also shares some of the most eye-opening moments she’s witnessed, from deep sorrow to cautious optimism, showing us what it means to walk alongside a child in their emotional reality. At the end of this episode, I share a Biblical principle from Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” A verse that reminds us to enter our child’s emotional world and reflect the heart of Christ—present, loving, and compassionate—not to fix or correct, but to validate and support. ✨ If you’ve ever wondered how to help your child process grief or rejection with courage and care, this episode will give you the clarity, tools, and reassurance you need. 💙 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at tim@anchorsofencouragement.com to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Jane Baker: Phone: 256-353-8528 Email: JBaker@adoption-associates.com Website: https://www.adoption-associates.com/ Listen to Jane’s Episodes: 8 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 1: How to Understand Its Causes and Effects with Jane Baker 9 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 2: How to Find Help and a Good Therapist with Jane Baker 86 – When Friends Fail You! How Adoptive Parents Can Heal From Betrayal? With Jane Baker 183 – Adoption Struggles: Wisdom I Wish I Had Known with Jane Baker

What if my child reaches out and gets rejected for a second time? 💔 Has your adopted child ever searched for their birth family with hope in their heart, only to face silence, disappointment, or outright rejection? It’s a kind of pain that shakes both the child and the parent who longs to protect them. 💭 Hi Neighbor, In this episode, I continue my conversation with my friend and trusted adoption professional, Jane Baker, a woman who has spent decades walking with children and families through some of the most complex and emotional adoption stories. 🤝 This is the third installment in our series on helping adopted children understand, navigate, and process the truth of their story. In earlier episodes: • Episode 210 focused on adopted children who simply want to know their story and how to answer their questions with honesty, empathy, and clarity. • Episode 212 explored what to say when your child’s story is painful or difficult to tell. In this conversation, Jane helps us understand what happens when adoptees take the next step, seeking connection with birth parents or siblings and how parents can support them through the fragile hopes and unpredictable outcomes. 🌱 Together, we explore how to: 🔍 Support your child when social media makes birth-family discovery easier but far more complicated. 💬 Help them sort through expectations, fantasies, and the emotional realities of reunion. 🧭 Prepare both yourself and your child emotionally, spiritually, and practically. 🌿 Stay grounded so you can be a steady presence instead of being swept up in the hurt. Jane also shares some of the most heartbreaking and eye-opening moments she’s witnessed, stories of joyful connection, cautious optimism, and the crushing pain of renewed rejection. Her wisdom will help you see more clearly what your child might be carrying, even if they don’t have the words to say it. 💡 At the end of this episode, I share a Biblical principle from Psalm 34:18 that has shaped my own adoption journey, a reminder that God draws near to the brokenhearted and invites us to do the same. Some moments are not about fixing but about faithful, grounded presence. ✨ If you’ve ever wondered how to support your child through a reunion that brings more questions than answers, this episode will help you find clarity, courage, and compassion for the road ahead. 💛 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at tim@anchorsofencouragement.com to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Jane Baker: Phone: 256-353-8528 Email: JBaker@adoption-associates.com Website: https://www.adoption-associates.com/ Listen to Jane’s Episodes: 8 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 1: How to Understand Its Causes and Effects with Jane Baker 9 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 2: How to Find Help and a Good Therapist with Jane Baker 86 – When Friends Fail You! How Adoptive Parents Can Heal From Betrayal? With Jane Baker 183 – Adoption Struggles: Wisdom I Wish I Had Known with Jane Baker

When the path ahead feels unclear and your heart feels heavy with “what ifs,” it can seem like you’re walking through a fog that just won’t lift. Hi Neighbor, In this episode, we talk about what it means to trust God when you can’t see what’s next in your adoption journey. I’ll share 5 anxiety Bible verses—timeless truths from Scripture to help you find peace, courage, and direction when everything around you feels uncertain. Together, we’ll explore: ✨ How God’s Word becomes your “low beam” light in the fog 💛 Why slowing down often helps you see more clearly 🙏 The peace that comes from trusting God’s vantage point 🌿 How to apply biblical wisdom to your daily adoption struggles You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to know where to anchor your heart. If anxiety, doubt, or uncertainty have been clouding your parenting journey, this episode will remind you that God already sees what’s ahead and He’s guiding every step. 💙 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Book your anxiety management call with me today where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email to tim@anchorsofencouragement.com to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 And, if you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

When your story begins in loss, can it still lead to hope? 💛 What does it look like to let God rewrite your story of abandonment, identity, and belonging? Hi Neighbor, Sometimes the most powerful stories of faith begin in the hardest places. That’s true for my guest, Ayden Lincoln, an adoption advocate, author, and adult adoptee who was found abandoned in a shoebox in China and adopted into a family from Pennsylvania. Her journey from loss to purpose is one of resilience, redemption, and grace. In our conversation, Ayden shares how she’s learning to make peace with her beginnings while helping others find healing in theirs. Together, we talk about: ✨ The courage to face the pain of your story 💪 What it means to belong when your past feels broken 🌱 How faith can turn grief into growth Ayden reminds us that healing doesn’t mean forgetting where we came from—it means trusting God to bring beauty from what was once broken. 🙏 If you’ve ever questioned your place in the story, Ayden’s words will remind you that you are not forgotten—and that your beginning does not define your becoming. 💙 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Ayden: Website Instagram Facebook Twitter (X)

Are you in a season that feels more like survival than hope? What if healing doesn’t look like getting through it but learning to meet God in it? 🌿 Hearing God’s voice isn’t always easy, especially when life feels heavy and faith feels quiet. 💔 Hi Neighbor, In this heartfelt conversation, Jenny Fulford shares how God met her in a season of silence and loss, and how journaling became the tool that helped her listen again. ✍️ Out of that quiet, Laurent Paper Company was born — a faith-based stationery brand designed to help others slow down, notice God’s presence, and respond with hope. Jenny’s story reminds us that healing doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, honesty, and the courage to show up with what’s real. 💛 Through her experience, she offers a gentle way forward for anyone who’s ever wondered why their faith doesn’t feel as strong as it once did. Together, we talk about: ✨ The power of journaling as a spiritual practice 🌤️ How to make space to hear God’s voice in everyday life 🌱 Why our struggles often become the soil where faith grows And we find comfort in the promise of Isaiah 40:28–31 — “that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength and rise again.” 🦅 If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right and still can’t hear God, this episode will remind you that He’s not distant. He’s speaking right where you are. 🙏 Anchors of hope and healing are waiting. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. I’m opening a few free spots for one-on-one conversations where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at tim@anchorsofencouragement.com to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Jenny: Hearing God Daily Podcast Hear From God Clearly & Confidently Workshop Instagram Facebook  Facebook Group Email  Join the Newsletter

Healing isn’t a quick fix! Patience is the real work of adoption. 💛 How can adoptive parents and adoptees apply these principles in their own journeys? Hi Neighbor, I’ve learned when I wrap up an interview to keep the recording going. Because more often than not, something unexpected and meaningful happens once the microphone should have been turned off. 🎙️ That’s exactly what took place after my conversation with Jackson TerKeurst. You can hear that interview in Episode 201. In this aftershow conversation, what began as a few closing remarks turned into a rich, heartfelt exchange filled with wisdom for both adoptees and adoptive parents. 💬 The journey from chaos to hope isn’t easy—but it’s possible. Jackson’s story takes us from war-torn Liberia and orphanages to a life anchored in faith, trust, and healing.  Together, we talk about: ✨ What it takes to build trust 💪 The power of consistency 🌱 How healing often grows in the soil of patience and faith If you’ve ever wondered whether the waiting will be worth it, or how to stay steady when the path ahead feels uncertain, Jackson’s story will remind you that God’s timing is never late—and that healing happens one faithful step at a time. 🙏 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Jackson: Instagram Website Book

“If your own mother won’t fight to keep you, what does that say about you?” Has your adopted child ever asked a question that stopped you in your tracks? Something so deep and painful, you weren’t sure how to answer?💔 Hi Neighbor, In this powerful episode, I sit down again with my friend and trusted adoption professional, Jane Baker. Jane brings decades of experience walking with children and families through the hard work of healing adoption trauma. In the first part of this series, we focused on adopted children who simply want to know their story—how to answer their questions, give them what they need, and respond with honesty and empathy. (You can listen to that conversation in Episode 210.) In this second part, Jane shares wisdom on what to say when your child’s story is hard to tell. This one will make you both laugh and cry. Together, we talk about how to: ✨ Help your child understand that their birth parents’ choices don’t define their worth. 💬 Respond to painful questions with honesty, empathy, and compassion. 🧩 Recognize when your child’s anger is really grief in disguise. 🌿 Create a safe space for healing—one quiet moment, one patient conversation at a time. Jane also shares one of the most profound moments of her career—a conversation with a little boy whose words capture the heartache many adopted children feel. His story will move you deeply and remind you of the sacred work you’re doing as a parent. I’ll also share a Biblical principle from 1 Corinthians 13:4 that ties beautifully into Jane’s wisdom. 📖 Some healing can’t be hurried. God’s love often works in the slow, quiet spaces. If you’ve ever wondered how to walk with your child through pain you can’t fix, this episode will encourage you to stay present, trust God’s timing, and love with patient endurance.💛 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at tim@anchorsofencouragement.com to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Jane Baker: Phone: 256-353-8528 Email: JBaker@adoption-associates.com Website: https://www.adoption-associates.com/ Listen to Jane’s Episodes: 8 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 1: How to Understand Its Causes and Effects with Jane Baker 9 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 2: How to Find Help and a Good Therapist with Jane Baker 86 – When Friends Fail You! How Adoptive Parents Can Heal From Betrayal? With Jane Baker 183 – Adoption Struggles: Wisdom I Wish I Had Known with Jane Baker

Imagine a group of compassionate adoptive parents. A safe place where people GET IT, share encouragement, and offer practical, faith-rooted support. Sounds amazing, right? 💛 Hi Neighbor, I’d like to take a moment to invite you into something special I built for adoptive parents. Something described in three words: compassion, connection, and community. If you’ve ever sat in the quiet after a hard day with your adopted child and thought, “Am I the only one going through this?” 😔 You’re not! I’ve been there too. I eventually found compassion, connection, and community through my anchors of encouragement. But I realized not every adoptive parent has that kind of support. That’s why I created this space: a community of compassionate adoptive parents who understand, who share encouragement, and who offer practical, faith-rooted support. If you’re in a season of difficulty with your adopted children, please take this opportunity to connect with us. We want to be there for you when you cry, when you need encouragement, or a safe embrace. 🤗 You don’t have to walk this journey alone. It's simple to join. Please go to the link in the show notes. Together we can walk this road: One step, One prayer, One season at a time. Compassion, connection, and community. That’s what you'll find when you join us today. We’d be honored to walk alongside you. If you know another adoptive parent who could use this kind of encouragement, would you please share this episode with them? Maybe text it to a friend who’s had a hard week, or post it on your social media. You never know. A simple share might be the lifeline someone else needs today. 💖 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim💙 P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. 👉 If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. I recorded a quick video to show you how. Thanks so much!

Has your child started asking questions about their birth family? 🤔 Do you worry about what to say or how much to share? 💬 What if your honesty could actually strengthen your child’s trust and sense of belonging? 💛 Hi Neighbor,  In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down again with my friend and trusted adoption professional, Jane Baker.  Jane has walked alongside countless families navigating the tender emotions of adoption reunions when children want to know more about—or even meet—their birth families. 💞 Together, we talk about how to: ✨ Let your child set the pace in learning their story. 🕊️ Be the source of truth about their adoption—spoken with kindness. 💗 Share difficult details with honesty, empathy, and tact. 🌿 Care for your own emotions as a parent while guiding your child through theirs. I’ll also share a biblical principle that pairs perfectly with Jane’s wisdom. 📖 It’s a call to practice tact and kindness—to choose words that build understanding, confidence, and security in your child. If you’ve wondered how to handle these delicate moments with truth and grace, this episode will bring clarity, encouragement, and hope.  Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at tim@anchorsofencouragement.com to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Jane Baker: Phone: 256-353-8528 Email: JBaker@adoption-associates.com Website: https://www.adoption-associates.com/ Listen to Jane’s Episodes: 8 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 1: How to Understand Its Causes and Effects with Jane Baker 9 – Adoption Trauma Defined! Part 2: How to Find Help and a Good Therapist with Jane Baker 86 – When Friends Fail You! How Adoptive Parents Can Heal From Betrayal? With Jane Baker 183 – Adoption Struggles: Wisdom I Wish I Had Known with Jane Baker

❗Are you constantly rushing, feeling like there’s never enough time in the day? 💭Do you long for real peace, but life’s chaos keeps pulling you away? 🌟What if slowing down could actually help you experience God’s presence more fully? Hi Neighbor, A simple card on my cabin door inspired this unplugged episode. “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” ~Dallas Willard I reflect on how embracing God’s gifts can help us ruthlessly eliminate hurry from our lives. Surrounded by God’s creation and longtime friends, I’ve been reminded that peace, calm, and rest are already available. We just need to make room for them. I’ll share 3 Biblical steps that have helped me experience these gifts from God. Whether you’re an adoptive parent navigating unique challenges, or simply someone feeling weary from life’s storms, I hope this episode encourages you to slow down and receive the peace, calm, and rest God offers. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

He experienced one tragedy after another 💔. If that wasn't enough, he then experienced the ultimate act of betrayal 😢. How could a son do this to his father? Life would never be the same. Yet through it all, he was still able to find peace. Hi Neighbor, As an adoptive parent, have you faced sleepless nights filled with fear, wondering if peace will ever come? Adoption can bring heartbreak no one else sees💔. In Psalm 3, David poured out his pain and found peace. This episode shows you how to do the same. We’ll explore Psalm 3 and the story of David, and I’ll share how journaling can be a powerful tool for adoptive parents to process their emotions and find peace in the middle of heartbreak. Even in sleepless nights and hidden tears, God sees, sustains, and gives rest to weary parents.🕊️ Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. I’m opening a few free spots for one-on-one conversations where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at tim@anchorsofencouragement.com to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 👉 If this podcast has given you the courage and confidence to face storms in your life, the number one way you can thank me is to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. I recorded a quick video to show you how. Thanks so much!

He faced one discouraging obstacle after another. Yet through it all, he persisted. How did he do it? First, he partnered with God.  Hi Neighbor! Do you ever feel like you’re facing one discouraging obstacle after another in your adoption journey? You’re not alone. 💔 As an adoptive parent and coach, I know exactly what that feels like and how to persist through it. So, what’s my secret? Partnering with God and using journaling as a daily anchor. In this episode, I’ll share: ✨ My personal journaling experience ✨ Inspiration from one of my favorite Bible characters in Genesis 39 ✨ An easy way to start journaling—even if you’ve never done it before ✨ How pen-to-paper can help you partner with God And so much more. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. I’m opening a few free spots for one-on-one conversations where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at tim@anchorsofencouragement.com to grab your spot. I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙 Here are a couple of my favorite Bible Apps for comparing translations. YouVersion and Blue Letter Bible

It was the worst advice I ever received as an adoptive parent and, strangely enough, it turned out to be the best advice too. Hi Neighbor, If you’ve ever felt crushed by unsolicited advice 😣 or wondered if you’re failing your kids 💔, you’re not alone. Some words sting and stay with you—but sometimes, with time and perspective, they can also become lifelines. In this episode, I share the story of how a piece of “terrible” advice was both the worst and best advice I ever received. On its own, it wasn’t enough. But paired with a fresh perspective and the right support, it became a foundation for hope and healing. Curious what it was? Tune in for an honest look at the adoption journey and the surprising wisdom hidden in hurtful words. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim💙 P.S. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to connect Scripture with the realities of adoption trauma, I’d love to walk alongside you. I’m opening a few free spots for one-on-one conversations where we can talk through practical tools and Biblical encouragement for your journey. 👉 Send me an email at tim@anchorsofencouragement.com to grab your spot—I’d be honored to walk with you. 💙

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” 🌿 Ecclesiastes 3:1  Whatever season you’re in on your adoption journey, we can get through it together.  If you’re feeling lost as an adoptive parent, THIS could be your lifeline. Remember, you’re not alone!  Hi Neighbor, Solomon in Ecclesiastes reminds us: there’s a time for everything. Whether you’re grieving 😢, celebrating 🎉, or searching for answers 🔎 in your adoption journey, every season has value and purpose. Every adoption journey has its own season. Sometimes joyful, sometimes tough💔. You’re not alone walking through it. There’s a community waiting to support you, no matter what chapter you’re in. Are you feeling lost as an adoptive parent? You don’t have to walk alone. Find encouragement, and let others walk with you through the highs and lows. Connection is your lifeline.  Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

How do you navigate through the fog of life? I would like to suggest you consider relying on Someone with a better vantage point ✨. Someone who can shine the light on your path. Hi Neighbor, Adoptive life can feel foggy, uncertain, and overwhelming. Sometimes the best way forward is to slow down, trust a higher perspective 🙏, and let go of needing to see every step ahead. What would it look like for you to drive with “low beams” today? In this special mindset episode of Anchors of Encouragement, I would like to suggest you consider relying on Someone with a better vantage point, Someone who can shine a light on your path. We’ll consider this question in light of verses found in Psalm 119, Ecclesiastes 12, Micah 6, and Mark 12. And finally, make a direct application to the adoption journey from James 1. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.  

Why do bad things happen to good people?  Sometimes the answer can only be seen through the perspective of time ⏳. Hi Neighbor! In this episode, we’ll dive into the story of Joseph in Genesis 📖 and see how time gave him clarity on why he suffered the things he did. We’ll also explore 1 Corinthians and Romans to discover 3 powerful benefits of why good people and especially adoptive parents walk through seasons of suffering. 💔 Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim 💙 P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.

As an adoptive parent, the way you were parented may or may not be the best approach in parenting your adopted child. Hi Neighbor! When what you’re doing as a parent 🚫 isn’t working, how do you flip the script 🔄 and approach parenting differently? 🤔 In this episode, one of the individuals who helped my son Jonny navigate the challenges of residential treatment joins the show. My neighbor 🏡 Erich Nelson shares a script 📝 that adoptive parents can use to de-escalate a volatile situation ⚡ by empowering their children 💪. Grab a pen ✍️ and paper 📄 — this is definitely an episode for which you’ll want to take notes. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ Tim P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Follow Erich’s The DoLifeBig Project

When connection feels impossible, is it still love? (Yes! Here’s how.) Hi Neighbor, Today, I’m joined by my neighbor from West Africa by way of Nashville, Jackson TerKeurst. Jackson opens up about his journey from civil war in Liberia to Tennessee, and what it was like to be an adopted teenager with walls built for survival. He brings a powerful perspective on what love felt like on the receiving end of trauma… and what helped him slowly open the door to connection 🔓❤️. 🎧 You’ll hear:  • 🧠 What adoptive parents need to understand about the “shut down” behaviors they often misread
  • 🪨 How Jackson’s parents stayed steady, even when he wouldn’t engage
  • 🔑 What finally broke through the silence (and what didn’t)
  • 💔 Practical encouragement for the parent who feels like their love isn’t working This episode dives deep into what it means to love through rejection 🚫, resistance 🌀, and silence 🤐 — the painful places trauma creates when a child’s heart can’t receive the love you're offering. If you’re an adoptive parent or someone walking alongside a family impacted by trauma, this episode will encourage you to stay rooted in hope even when it’s hard to see fruit. You’ll learn how to hold space, stay steady, and love through layers of trauma. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.
 Your Neighbor,
 Tim P.S. If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through. Connect with Jackson: Instagram Website Book

If you’ve ever felt like no one truly understands what you’re going through as an adoptive parent, you’re not alone and you’re not broken. Hi Neighbor, Today marks not only our 200th episode, but also the third anniversary of this podcast. What started as a simple idea and a backyard walk has now grown into a global community of adoptive parents seeking encouragement, connection, and biblical hope. In this milestone episode, I’ll take you back to where it all began. I’m recording from my outdoor “studio,” the same backyard path where I first began sharing adoption content three years ago. I reflect on the origin of the podcast, the evolution of its name, and the heart behind every episode: letting adoptive parents know they’re not alone in the hard work of parenting. You’ll also get a sneak peek at what’s ahead for the podcast and community. Coming attractions include: 💬 Adoption Life Coaching – Biblically grounded, experience-based coaching for adoptive parents 📧 Email Community – Behind-the-scenes content, affirmations, and parenting tools delivered weekly 🎥 YouTube Channel – Additional video content and encouragement 🎙️ Expert Interviews – Hear from therapists, counselors, and adoptees themselves 🧭 Daily Doables & Practical Tools – More actionable ways to apply spiritual truths and regulate emotions 🌐 Streamlined Access – To easily find coaching, community, and podcast extras If you’ve ever felt like no one understands the unique struggles of adoption, this episode is for you. You’ll hear how community, coaching, and Scripture have shaped this podcast and how they can support you too. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way! Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. Join the private Facebook community: TimSuggests.com/community

Have you ever been so frustrated by things going on around you that you couldn't see clearly, you couldn't think clearly, your judgment was impaired? What's a person to do about that? May I suggest you work on raising your awareness? Hi Neighbor! In this episode, I share a personal story about a time when I became so frustrated that I almost missed a positive opportunity that was right in front of me. It’s something I need a constant reminder about and I hope it will encourage you too. Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ Tim P.S. You’re not alone in this journey! I’m putting together something designed to offer real, practical help and emotional support for fellow adoptive parents like you. It’s called Anxiety Management Coaching for Adoptive Parents. I’d love to talk with you about it, about what you’re walking through, and what kind of support would be most meaningful right where you are. To book an Anxiety Management Call with me, just email me tim@anchorsofencouragement.com If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.