Called to Love: An Adoption Podcast for Christian Parents - Christian Adoption, Trauma and Healing, Foster Care, Parenting Adopted Children

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, my special guest is the founder of The Mission Driven Mom and creator of the MDM Academy: Audrey Rindlisbacher. Audrey’s world was turned upside down when she, at the time a mother to four kids herself, decided to foster her cousin’s four children, ages ranging from twelve years old to newborn. In this conversation, we unpack her story, this incredible experience, and how God led her to utter faithfulness. Specifically, I ask Audrey how to cope with the weariness that comes from this calling. When Audrey was at her lowest point, she turned to God like she never had before and was completely changed. Audrey encourages moms to seek resources, fill their needs, and especially fulfill their spiritual needs like prayer. Here are a few key take aways: Foster and adoptive parenting can be incredibly challenging and rewarding.Prayer is a powerful tool for finding clarity and strength.Self-care is essential for caregivers to effectively support children.The feelings of love often stem from actions of love.God's plan may not always align with our expectations, but it is always good.Community support can make a significant difference in the foster care journey.Being a foster parent requires vulnerability and courage.Every child in foster care has a unique story and needs.Sometimes when God says “No” it can be scary, and we have to trust His plan.Want to keep Christian Parenting going? The network is listener-supported! Consider giving an end-of-year gift that provides resources to Christian parents. Check out cpgive.org Check out Audrey’s amazing resources at https://www.themissiondrivenmom.com/Listen to her podcast: click hereCheck out the Mission Driven Mom Academy: click here 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! In this episode, Jill Marier joins me on the podcast to discuss the need for fostering medically fragile children. Jill has a rather unique family, and in her words she says “we get stares.” They have a large household full of children that are adopted, biological, and fostering, many of them are medically fragile. Jill’s heart was moved to medically fragile kids after her biological son JoJo was born with cerebral palsy. He is non-verbal and confined to a wheelchair. Going through this experience, Jill’s heart broke for all the kids with these medical hardships without any parents or guardians to walk through it with them. They’re alone and often abandoned because of their medical needs. Not only did Jill and her husband begin to foster and adopt many of these children, and the need is so great, but they started a non-profit farm which has wheelchair accessibility. The farm is a safe space for parents to bring their medically fragile children to have fun with some animals. Together in our conversation, we unpack the fears surrounding foster care and adoption with medically fragile children:  “I’m not qualified” or “I’ll be too attached” or “What if they die?” and more. These fears are lies from the enemy to keep you from following God’s calling. Jill and Somer do not shy away from the hard things but God is with you always. Here are a few key take aways: Every child deserves a loving family, regardless of their medical needs.Foster care can be a rewarding but challenging journey.It's important to overcome fears and say “yes” to fostering if God calls you.Daily life with medically fragile children involves careful planning and routine.Community support is crucial for families in foster care.Loss and grief are part of the foster care experience.Building connections with nonverbal children is possible and rewarding.Creating inclusive spaces for children with special needs is essential.Setting boundaries is necessary to maintain family dynamics in foster care.You can check out Christian Parenting’s gift guide by clicking here. You can learn more about the Mad Hatter Farm on their website: https://www.madhatterfarm.org/And on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madhatterfarmandrescue 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! In this episode, I am helping you better understand embryo adoption. IVF treatments have risen in popularity as desperate families seek to get pregnant, but the process comes at a great cost— and not just financially, but also emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually as families navigate what to do with excess embryos. Because the success rate is so small, facilities will create more embryos than a couple may necessarily want to carry and raise. There are a few options for these embryos: adoption (which I highlight) or termination or scientific experimentation. This is an extremely heavy decision for the parents to make. Embryo adoption is where an adoptive mother has the embryo placed inside her to carry to term, if successful. There are some factors to this adoption which are different from a traditional one: in utero bonding and potentially breastfeeding. (A newborn adoption could also involve breastfeeding, but it is a different process to achieve this.) Through this episode, I seek to make you aware of all the different factors of embryo adoption, what it is, and what is happening with so many families in the IVF process. There is plenty of controversy even in Christian circles on this topic and I seek to approach it with information and empathy. There are countless little lives frozen right now, waiting for homes. Here are a few key take aways: Embryo adoption is a process of placing fertilized embryos with adoptive parents.The IVF process can lead to difficult decisions regarding surplus embryos.Success rates for embryo adoption can be as high as 59%.Embryo adoption allows for biological siblings to be raised together.The financial cost of embryo adoption is generally lower than traditional adoption.There are emotional challenges and grief associated with embryo adoption.The process requires legal documentation and a home study.Adoptive parents can bond with the child during pregnancy.Controversies exist regarding the ethics of IVF and embryo adoption.Seeking God's guidance is essential in the decision-making process.You can check out Christian Parenting’s gift guide by clicking here. 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! In this episode, I am joined by a joyful and light-filled author, speaker, and mom: Alice Matagora. Alice shares her story about a painful waiting process, depending on God’s promises. Inspired by this waiting journey, as a new mom Alice wrote the book, “You Are My Miracle”. All children are a miracle from God and this book helps us affirm this truth over our children. Through our conversation, we discuss the miracle it is to be a parent, to raise our kids, and the challenges of the waiting process till that child enters our life. Here are a few key take aways: Waiting can be emotionally taxing and filled with uncertainty.There can be a lot of grief in infertility. It's important to seek God during times of waiting and uncertainty.Community support is crucial for those going through infertility or adoption processes.Every child is a miracle, regardless of how they come into a family.The journey of waiting can lead to personal growth and deeper faith.Parents should communicate to their children how loved and wanted they are.It's essential to remember the struggles of waiting even after fulfillment.Hope is a continuous journey, not just a destination.Connect more with Alice on Instagram and Facebook. Check out her website to learn more! Here is her book referenced in this episode, “You Are My Miracle”You can check out Christian Parenting’s gift guide by clicking here. 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! In this episode, I am joined by the amazing and inspiring Jamie Finn. Jamie is an author and busy mom to both biological and adopted children, and their family has been fostering for years. She is also the founder and president of Foster the Family, a national nonprofit that serves vulnerable children and the families welcoming them, as well as the founder of the Filled Gathering, the largest gathering of foster and adoptive moms in the world. Together, we discuss adopting children from foster care. There is a huge stigma against foster kids, being labeled as “problematic” and an underlying fear that you can’t handle their pain and trauma. There is also the fear of becoming attached to a foster child only for them to be reunified, even though reunification is the first priority of foster care. There are many more fears and apprehensions, so how do we face them as Christians, standing on God’s Word and His calling for us to care for “the least of these”? One big point is we are all called to love these kids, but that doesn’t mean everyone is called to adoption or fostering. You can start by supporting those who already are! This may be a small thing but it is huge to the families who desperately need this support and community. And if God does call you into this, you may find yourself with support and community because you served others. Another key point Jamie and I discuss is surrendering to God in this calling. You have no control over what happens and that may be scary but it strengthens your faith. There is also so much beauty in adoption because God has adopted us. Here are a few key takeaways: Foster care is a mission that requires commitment.Fear is a natural response to the unknown in foster care.Preparation is key, but you can never be fully ready.Reunification is the priority, but permanency is also important.Grief is a complex emotion in foster care.God's love is constant, even in brokenness.Community support is essential for foster families.Surrendering control is a part of the journey.Children need to see a model of unconditional love. Connect more with Jamie on Instagram or her website. Check out Jamie’s book: Foster the Family: Encouragement, Hope, and Practical Help for the Christian Foster ParentCheck out Jamie’s new book for foster kids: God Loves Kids: A Gospel-Centered Book About Foster CareYou can check out Christian Parenting’s gift guide by clicking here. 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! In this episode, I am joined by Leah Brandon Akannam and Brian Murphy from the Gift of Adoption Fund. One of the biggest things stopping people from pursuing adoption is the cost. Resources like the Gift of Adoption Fund are here to bridge the gap and take down this barrier to a child finding their home. We discuss the different ways the fund helps various circumstances from traditional adoption to kinship, foster-to-adopt, and even adult adoptees. Leah and Brian also share stories from the families impacted by this resource. Brian highlights that while their organization does a lot, there are plenty of funds out there as well, and the biggest thing is spreading awareness about these resources so children can find a home. Brian emphasizes that if this is something God has laid on your heart, He will ultimately provide the financial support you need to bring the child home–all you have to do is answer the call.  Here are a few key takeaways: Over 2 million families in the US are waiting to adopt.81% of potential adopters cite high costs as a barrier.Gift of Adoption has awarded over $22 million in grants.Adoption costs can range from $25,000 to $50,000 for domestic adoptions.Foster care adoptions typically have no costs for families.Gift of Adoption provides grants from $1,000 to $15,000.Families should apply for assistance as soon as their home study is complete.There are no strict income limits for eligibility; each case is assessed individually.The organization has programs for young adults aging out of foster care.Crowdfunding grants are available to help families raise funds for adoption.The Gift of Adoption Fund website: https://giftofadoption.org/ 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! In this episode, I am joined by the founder of Finally Home: Kristin Orphan. Finally Home exists to walk alongside foster, adoptive, and kinship families with faith-rooted resources that bring hope, healing, and strength. They are a national non-profit that provide tools, courses, resources and community to families so they can find connection and confidence every day. Kristin was inspired to start Finally Home after her own adoption journey and being devastated by the calling. God called her and her family to this but that didn’t make it easy. There was a lot of sacrifice, heartache, and learning through her journey–in fact, the journey isn’t over even though her children are adults! In this conversation, we discuss how God brings encouragement when you’re discouraged or depressed. Here are a few key takeaways: The importance of unity in marriage when considering adoption.Adoption is a lifelong commitment that requires ongoing support and learning.Resilience is key in parenting adopted children, especially through challenges.Community support is crucial for families navigating adoption.Trauma-informed care focuses on relational connection with children.Distraction techniques can help manage challenging behaviors in children.Parents should seek to understand their child's unique needs and responses.It's important to give children a voice in family decisions without placing the burden of choice on them.The journey of adoption can lead to personal transformation for parents.God is WITH you in this calling! Learn more about Finally Home and access all their parenting courses and more at https://finallyhome.net/ Email and mention Called to Love so the team can connect with you: info@finallyhome.net 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! In this episode, I am joined by Hally Wells. Hally Wells is speaker, author, and mental health advocate. After struggling with infertility, Hally and her husband had their biological child, but following a miscarriage she felt God place adoption on her heart. She is now the mother of bio, step, and adopted children, and advocates for their mental health and the mental health of parents too. Hally discusses what things to look out for in our adopted and fostered kids, some of the warning signs, and unique struggles they may face with identity. We also discuss the need for support, resources, counseling, and strong communication with your children. Hally brings up that adoptive parents can also experience trauma which is why it is important to take care of yourself too, so you can be a calm, strong presence in your child’s life. Here are a few key takeaways: Mental health concerns in youth have escalated, especially post-COVID.Adopted children often experience grief and identity issues.Trauma impacts all adopted children, even from in utero and birth. Parents should be aware of signs of mental health struggles in their children.Support groups for adoptive parents can provide essential encouragement.Cultural heritage plays a crucial role in a child's identity and mental health.Open communication is vital for adopted children to express their feelings.Counseling can be beneficial for both children and parents.Understanding the unique challenges of adopted children is essential for effective parenting.Learn more about Hally Wells on her website here: https://www.hallyjwells.com/ The book Hally recommends, “The Anxious Generation” Another book she recommends, “The Deepest Well” 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 fan-girling out just a little bit because my special guest is Dr. Kathy Koch. Dr. Kathy has a PhD in reading and educational psychology from Purdue and is a former university professor now turned child advocate who founded Celebrate Kids. She has written several books, and her latest one (co-written with Dr. Jeff Myers) is called “Raising Gender-Confident Kids: Helping Kids Embrace Their God-Given Design”. This is the topic of our conversation, as many foster and adoptive parents may find their children especially vulnerable to the gender identity crisis. Together, we discuss how to be bold in our parenting while also pursuing connection, trust, and relationship-building. God has given us the task of stewarding these kids and we cannot shy away from this reality. At the same time, if your child is coming to you already in a gender-confused state, it is important to show them love, compassion, and build trust so perhaps they can tell you what’s really going on. Dr. Kathy gives us powerful information and practical tools to equip us for this reality we face as parents.Here are a few key takeaways: Parents need to be bold and honest about gender issues.Stereotypes can trap children in false beliefs about their identity.Churches must address tough topics to help guide youth.Creating a safe space for discussions is crucial for trust.Parents should affirm their children's identity and interests.It's important to teach children about the beauty of God's creation.Parents should not blame themselves for their children's struggles.Encouragement and support are vital for parents facing challenges.Identity formation is a lifelong process that requires consistent effort.Learn more about Dr. Kathy’s organization, Celebrate Kids: https://celebratekids.com/Dr. Kathy recommends one of her books, “Five to Thrive” and her latest release which informed a lot of this episode: ”Raising Gender Confident Kids” 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 Bill High. Bill is the CEO of Legacy Stone and the author and co-author to many books. He is a counselor and public speaker, passionate about empowering families to leave a legacy for generations. In our conversation, we explore the importance of building a lasting family legacy through faith, family values, and purposeful living. Bill shares practical steps for families to create structure and stability, emphasizing the power of repetition in instilling values. We hope this offers encouragement for parents navigating the challenges of foster care and adoption. You're playing a vital role in shaping the next generation.Here are a few key takeaways: The calling of foster and adoptive parents is significant to the kingdom of God.Defining family values is crucial for protection and attraction.Kids are a heritage from the Lord, and families should treat them as such.Regular family meetings can help reinforce family values and vision.Structure and stability are essential for children from chaotic backgrounds.Repetition is key in teaching values to children.Parents should focus on being faithful rather than fixating on outcomes.God can turn broken situations into something good. Connect more with Bill High on his website or social media. And the website for Legacy Stone: https://legacystone.com/ Bill High’s new book: THE LEGACY LIFE: BOOK AND DEVOTIONAL - A Paradigm Shift that Will Help You Build Your Family for Generations to Come, Guided by Biblical Values.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 Dr. Zoe Shaw. Dr. Zoe is a licensed psychotherapist, author, speaker and an expert on what she calls “Complex Shame”. She is also a busy mom of five kids, and actually part of her story is being a birth-mom. We talk a lot about being adoptive and foster parents, and this conversation gives us a small glimpse of a birth-mom’s experience. For Dr. Zoe, it was an experience filled with shame.  This episode is all about unpacking that: shame. All of us experience shame to different degrees, in fact its origins can be seen in the first few chapters of Genesis, where Adam and Eve are ashamed and hide from God. That is how Dr. Zoe describes and differentiates shame and guilt: shame is when we hide. Shame can be destructive and impact our relationships. This is incredibly important for us to understand as parents, to navigate our own shame, and also to help us better understand our kids’ shame. Here are a few key takeaways: Shame causes us to hide and affects our relationships.There is a difference between guilt and shame.Guilt can lead to positive change, while shame distances us from God.Complex shame is often tied to past trauma and experiences.Recognizing our shame story is crucial for self-worth.Healthy emotional boundaries allow for better relationships.Walking alongside children helps them process their feelings.Writing can be a powerful tool for communication with children.Repairing relationships requires acknowledging our own shame.Healing from shame is a journey that involves vulnerability.Connect more with Dr. Zoe Shaw on her website or on instagram.You can also buy her new book, “Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame”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 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!

Hey friends, today we’ve got something special for you: a bonus episode straight from the Pardon the Mess podcast!Every Monday, host Courtney DeFeo shares a short prayer to help you lift up your kids. This year’s series follows Christian Parenting’s brand new prayer journal, A Great Cloud of Witnesses. Each week highlights a biblical hero of the faith, paired with Scripture-based prayers for your kids. Here is a sneak peek into week one:This first week is all about Noah—a man of incredible faith and obedience. While the world around him turned away from God, Noah walked in righteousness. Building the ark probably looked foolish to everyone else, but Noah trusted God’s word even when it didn’t make sense. That’s the kind of faith we want for our kids: to listen to God’s voice over any others and walk confidently with Him even when it means standing apart.If you love this episode and don’t have your copy of A Great Cloud of Witnesses yet, it’s not too late to get yours! Go ChristianParenting.org to get your copy and follow along. And don’t forget to tune in to Pardon the Mess every Monday for more prayer episodes. Order A Great Cloud of Witnesses todayFollow Pardon the Mess on Apple or SpotifyCalled to Love is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This week I am joined with Abby Halberstadt, who’s been on the show before. Abby is a busy mom of ten biological kids, homeschools all of them, builds houses with her husband, and works as a fitness instructor, but most importantly she is a woman firmly planted on a Biblical foundation. In this conversation, we unpack the myth she shares in her recent book “You Bet Your Stretchmarks” which is a myth that your motherhood is wasted. Even though Abby has biological kids, all of us as foster and adoptive moms have the scars of motherhood and often the mundane and thankless jobs of wiping bottoms, sleepless nights, and sweeping cheerios can make us ask, “Is this worth it?” Abby reminds us that our motherhoods are eternally significant and callings from God. Even if our acts of love are unthanked and unseen, those sacrifices have an immeasurable impact. Abby also walks us through some of the lies in our culture that prey upon moms and their identities. She strongly encourages us to find our contentment in God and not in comparing ourselves to others. Our culture, and the Enemy through it, are feeding lies to moms that they are alone and the motherhood experience is all negative. We know, however, through scripture that nothing is wasted. Here are a few key takeaways: Motherhood is a calling of eternal significance.The 'wasted mother myth' undermines the value of motherhood.Daily sacrifices of mothers are meaningful and sacred.Creating rhythms in daily life can help manage overwhelm.Contentment comes from focusing on God's word, not worldly standards.Community support is essential but not always available.Every act of motherhood, no matter how small, has value.Mothers should not compare their journeys to others.Recognizing the mundane as sacred can transform perspective.Motherhood is a legacy that impacts future generations.Learn more about Abby on her website and social media or buy her new book “You Bet Your Stretchmarks!” wherever you get your books, like Amazon. 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 author and busy mom, friend of the show, Molly DeFrank! Molly is the proud mom of six kids, ages ranging from teenagers to young ones, both biological and adopted. Her family has also fostered children, and her two adopted kids came first from fostering. In this episode, we are talking specifically about raising Godly sons as we live in a world that is telling them their masculinity is toxic and they just need to sit still. Anyone with a little boy knows they have so much energy and can’t focus, and while this may be frustrating it is also how God made them. Molly wrote a book titled, “Mothering Boys: 8 Things Your Son Needs From You Before He Turns 10” which has inspired this conversation. Especially if you have children in your home who come from foster care, they may have negative relationships to masculinity, either from bad male role models, failed father figures, or even abuse. We have such an important role as parents to train up these kids, help shape and root their identity in God, and establish their worldview. Let’s talk about the practical ways we can help them be empowered young men for Christ! Here are a few key takeaways: Boys face societal pressures that can negatively impact their self-worth.Building connection and trust is essential for effective parenting.Simple moments can create meaningful connections with boys.Unconditional love is crucial for boys to feel safe and accepted.Storytelling can help boys understand their identity and values.Creating safe spaces for boys to fail fosters resilience.Moms should focus on their own well-being to better support their children.Learn more about Molly on her website or connect with her on social media! Interested in her book? Click here to learn more! 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 is the fifth and final episode in this summer series breaking down how to emotionally regulate your household, tips that I have learned and personally used and hope will benefit you. Specifically, this episode wraps up our series as I talk about five ways you can recover after a dysregulation incident. There is so much adrenaline rushing in our kiddos bodies, and maybe even in our own, that it is very unlikely things will “go back to normal” or what you or the child was doing before the breakdown. So, what do you do? I have five methods we use in our household: presence, gentle touch, pressure, going outside, and playing. In this episode, I dive deeper into each one of these with some clear examples as well! I would love to hear from you if you begin using these strategies or share ones you’ve found that work in your household! Here are a few key takeaways: Your presence as their safe and trusted caregiver is invaluable.Gentle touch can help regulate the central nervous system.Pressure can offset pent-up energy in children.Going outside and grounding can aid recovery.Fun and play are essential for emotional healing.Laughter can create positive connections with children.Caregivers must discern the right approach for each child.Nurturing after dysregulation is crucial for recovery.Building trust takes time and patience.Free Downloadable Resource From Somer: Click Here & Enter Your EmailYou 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! We are in the fourth week of my series breaking down how to emotionally regulate your household and I am going to give you tools for de-escalating your child during those meltdown moments. This week has honestly been challenging as I’ve been at my own breaking point and needed to use these regulation tools on myself. I am going to share my personal experiences dealing with overwhelm and introduce you to the Three C’s of regulation: Cold, Counting, and Choices. And I have had to use all three this week myself! I am going to emphasize the significance of modeling self-regulation techniques, understanding children's fears, and empowering them through choices to foster a sense of control and calmness. I would love to hear from you if you begin using these strategies or share ones you’ve found that work in your household! Here are a few key takeaways: You're not alone in feeling overwhelmed.Modeling regulation techniques is crucial for effective parenting.Cold can help de-escalate intense emotions in children.Counting provides a distraction and helps regain focus.Choices empower children and reduce power struggles.Praise your child's progress to encourage better behavior.Understanding fear can help address escalated behaviors.Building skills takes time and repetition.Children are capable of learning to regulate their emotions.Free Downloadable Resource From Somer: Click Here & Enter Your EmailYou 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 is our third week in my new series breaking down how to emotionally regulate your household and I am going to give you tools for de-escalating your child during those meltdown moments. This episode is all about the 3 B’s: Breathing, Bilateral Movement, and Beating Heart. These three tools can effectively help you calm your child, build trust and connection, ultimately leading to better emotional regulation and communication within the family. These strategies do not take away the need for guidance, correction, and addressing dysfunctional behaviors but help your child receive your instruction because you’ve built trust and love. I would love to hear from you if you begin using these strategies or share ones you’ve found that work in your household! Here are a few key takeaways: Dysregulated behaviors require a confident caregiver's presence.Breathing techniques help reset a child's nervous system.Bilateral movement engages both sides of the brain for regulation.Heartbeat time provides comfort and connection during distress.Practicing tools alongside children builds trust and safety.Regulation tools prepare children for better communication and correction.Planning and having tools ready can improve family dynamics.Free Downloadable Resource From Somer: Click Here & Enter Your EmailYou 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!