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, 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! 

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! This is our second week in my new series breaking down how to emotionally regulate your household. Specifically in this episode, I am explaining the HALT method--Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired—a powerful tool to help manage behavioral escalations. I am also sharing some personal examples and practical insights to guide you in fostering a nurturing environment with a biblical foundation. Tune in to learn how addressing basic and felt needs can transform family dynamics and build trust. Don't miss this essential episode for every parent looking to enhance emotional and behavioral regulation at home! Here are a few key takeaways: The HALT method is essential for emotional regulation.Understanding hunger can prevent behavioral issues.Anger is a natural emotion that needs management.Loneliness can occur even in crowded spaces.Rest is crucial for emotional and physical health.Building trust is key to effective parenting.Recognizing triggers can help in de-escalation.Biblical examples provide insight into caregiving.Practical tools can be adapted for individual needs.Consistency in approach fosters better relationships.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! In this episode, I am kicking off a five-part series on emotional and behavioral regulation in your family. We are in the thick of summer but if we’re being honest, it hardly feels like a “summer break.” From summer camps, VBSs, traveling, and all other kinds of extracurricular activities that keeps our summers busy, there is hardly a “normal” day. The routine of the school year is almost completely out the window for many of us. This can be a fun time but it can also be an exhausting and overstimulating time of year. That is why it is the perfect time for me to tell you about these emotional and behavioral regulation tips and strategies, and I will be diving deeper into them over the next four weeks. I hope in this episode you will:Better understand the signs of dysregulation and its impact on family dynamicsLearn how to model emotional regulation and create a calm environmentDiscover the importance of maintaining healthy authority and setting boundariesAnd, explore practical tools like positive reinforcement and teaching emotional language. Here are a few takeaways: Disregulation affects both parents and children.Recognizing signs of disregulation is crucial.Self-regulation is essential for effective parenting.Creating a calm environment can reduce disregulation.Modeling emotional regulation helps children learn.Validating emotions while maintaining respect is important.Teaching emotional language aids in communication.Establishing boundaries provides safety for children.Encouraging problem-solving fosters ownership in children.Patience and consistency are key in parenting.Grab your FREE DOWNLOAD: 10 Ways to Promote Emotional and Behavioral Regulation in Your Family 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 Katie Davis Majors. You may know her as the author of “Kisses from Katie” and she is the founder of the Amazima Ministries which works to keep kids with their biological families in Uganda. Katie shares her incredible story of how God took her “Yes” and and multiplied not just her family (raising 13 adopted girls and having two biological boys with her husband) but her ministry. In our conversation, I ask Katie about how on earth she juggles fifteen kiddos and all the work she does, along with other questions about trauma, supporting those kids with resources, and what she has learned along this wild journey. Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: Katie's journey began with a mission trip to Uganda.Many children in institutional care have living relatives. These kids are living in orphanages because it can be their best option for education, meals, and healthcare but it means separation from their biological families. This broke Katie’s heart. Foster care experiences led Katie to adopting 13 children.Community support is vital in parenting and service.Learn how to say “I need help!” and not feel ashamed or embarrassed; we need each other, especially in this calling. Dependence on God is essential in parenting challenges. Connect with Katie on social mediaCheck out her websiteCheck out her book, “Kisses From Katie” Learn more about Amazima Ministries! 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 Rachel Van Kluyve, who is a homeschooling, book-writing, bio and adoptive mama to four kiddos! Rachel’s two adoptive daughters are both Black American which has given Rachel some interesting challenges to navigate. She realized they do not have a lot of representation, from baby dolls to storybooks, which inspired her to create her own children’s book series about two black girls. In our conversation, we unpack the unique challenges of a transracial adoption: the unsolicited questions and comments from friends, family, or people online, how to style their hair, how to incorporate their culture and affirm their identities, and more. Rachel also shares that both of these adoptions are open adoption and recommends parents consider it, even though it seems “scary.” In fact, Rachel encourages parents to consider any kind of adoption and trust the Lord will provide the child, no matter the race, gender, background, etc… Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: Understanding the Lord's sacrifice is comparable to adoption.Open adoption can provide a sense of connection for children.Faith plays a crucial role in the adoption process.Representation in children's literature is essential.Navigating criticism as a transracial family can be challenging.Building relationships with birth mothers is important for the child's identity.Every adoption story is unique and requires grace and understanding.Connect with Rachel on social mediaOr you can check out her website And pre-order her new children’s book! “Louie and La'Ree Empty the Sea (Sister Adventures)”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 man with an incredible and powerful story: Jackson TerKeurst. If you recognize that name, it is probably because he was adopted by author and speaker Lisa TerKeurst. Jackson came to the TerKeurst family after trying to survive gunfire and starvation during the Liberian Civil War. He was a teenager when he was adopted and now he’s a published author too. In our conversation, Jackson discusses the challenges he faced, the importance of faith, and the lessons learned through adversity. He emphasizes the significance of being present for adopted children, celebrating their cultural identity, and embracing God's plan, which often diverges from our own expectations. His story is a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of community. Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: His adoption story is unique, filled with years of prayer and longing for family.Adoptive parents should prepare their hearts, not just their homes.Celebrating a child's culture is crucial for their identity.Struggles in adoption are part of the journey, not a sign of failure.Being present and patient is essential for adoptive parents.God's plan often differs from our own, requiring surrender and trust.Connect with Jackson TerKeurst on InstagramOr you can check out his website And buy his new book on 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! In this episode, I am joined by New York Times best-selling author, speaker, podcaster, advocate for Downs Syndrome kids, and adoptive mom: Heather Avis. Heather started “The Lucky Few” movement to change the narrative behind children with Downs Syndrome. She says every time her kids walk out her door and into the world, they are walking into a world that does not value them. As Heather shares in this podcast episode, if the narrative behind Downs was different it is likely the bio families of her two kids wouldn’t have put them up for adoption. Adoption inherently comes with the breaking of what God created to be together: family. There is immense beauty and joy in adoption, in redeeming what has been broken, but we cannot shy away from or “fix” that brokenness. It can be a hard thing to sit with but it cannot be ignored. Still, Heather advocates not only for the value of children with special needs but she encourages Christian families to consider adoption. This calling may not be easy but it is a calling straight from God - to love the widows and orphans. In our discussion, we unpack Heather’s incredible adoption story. She shares wisdom from her experience raising not only two children with Downs syndrome but also a bi-racial child that does not have special needs. Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: The importance of letting go of control in parenting.Create an inclusive home environment for children of all backgrounds.Encourage curiosity and understanding differences in children.The significance of affirming children's worth and identity.Recognizing the ongoing struggles of children with disabilities in society.The value of connecting with resources and stories from adoptees and birth families.Connect with Heather Avis on social media or learn more on her website. You can also buy her books! Her new book is titled I Like You So MuchYou can also learn more about The Lucky Few Foundation. 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 Susan TeBos, an author and adoptive mom to three now-grown children. Susan shares her experiences and insights on parenting adopted teenagers, focusing on the unique challenges they face as they process loss and identity. She emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces for emotional expression, recognizing warning signs, and building trust through consistent communication. Our discussion highlights the need for adoptive parents to be patient and understanding as their children navigate their feelings and experiences related to adoption.There is a myth that if you adopt a child straight when they are born, take them home from the hospital, that somehow there is no trauma or loss. This isn’t true, and I have first hand experience with it. Our kids may exhibit the trauma in different ways or at different stages of life, but there is trauma due to the loss of one’s biological roots. Susan described her kids as being “fun and playful” during their younger years, but showed more of those signs of trauma as they entered puberty. I hope that through this episode, you will be more equipped to support your adoptive or foster kids, even if they haven’t entered their teenage-years yet. Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: Adopted teens process loss in unique ways.Curiosity can lead to clarity and compassion in parenting.Consistency in communication builds trust with teens.Parents should recognize warning signs of emotional distress.It's important to check in with teens regularly about their feelings.Adoptees often feel alone in their experiences and emotions.Grieving is a process that should be shared with parents.Parenting adopted children is a lifelong commitment.Understanding adoption-related issues is essential for emotional support.Connect with Susan TeBos on Facebook or Instagram You can also check out her website and her book, “We've Been There: True Stories, Surprising Insights, and Aha Moments for Adopted Teens” 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!