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PODCAST

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster & Kinship Care

Creating a Family

Are you thinking about adopting or fostering a child? Confused about all the options and wondering where to begin? Or are you an adoptive or foster parent or kinship caregiver trying to be the best parent possible to this precious child? This is the podcast for you! Every week, we interview leading experts for an hour, discussing the topics you care about in deciding whether to adopt/foster or how to be a better parent. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are the national

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

8:08

How Do We Make it Through Summer Without Falling...

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/07/25

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Question: I feel terrible even saying this, but I am counting down the days until school starts. My kids have trauma histories, ADHD, and prenatal exposure, and summer has been rough. The lack of routine seems to make everything harder—sleep, behavior, arguing, screen time, all of it. We started summer with big plans, but now everyone is cranky, including me. How do we make it through the rest of summer without completely falling apart? Resources: Em...

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45:01

How Your Attachment History Shapes Your Parenting

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/07/22

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! When we think about attachment in adoption and foster care, we usually focus on the child. But parents bring their own attachment histories and life experiences into the relationship as well. Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker explores how a parent's past can shape their parenting, influence reactions to challenging behaviors, and impact family connection and healing. Dr. Wirta-Leiker is a licensed psychologist, transnational and transracial adoptee, adoptive parent, crea...

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18:59

"I Don't Know What They Need" • Supporting Kids with...

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/07/18

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Question: What advice do you have for fostering/adopting children with autism, particularly those with limited communication skills? How can we best support them in expressing big feelings and feeling safe to do so? What can we do to help them feel they have some control and feel heard when they can't always communicate what they want and have a harder time understanding what's going on? Resources: Setting Up Your Child with Autism for SuccessHelping Autistic Ki...

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63:30

The Power of Story: Helping Kids Heal and Thrive

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/07/15

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! How can storytelling help kids heal? In this episode, we talk to Dr. Sharon Zaffarese-Dippold to explore how story helps children make sense of their experiences, build resilience, and move toward thriving, including simple, everyday ways to begin using it at home. She is a psychotherapist with 27 years of experience in counseling and author of the "Garbage Bag Life" series, which emphasizes her journey through foster care. In this episode, we discuss: Can you t...

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20:28

We Parent So Differently! How Do We Manage the...

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/07/11

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Question: My partner and I parent really differently, especially with our adopted child. I’m more focused on connection and understanding behavior, and my partner is much more strict and consequences-focused. We keep arguing about discipline and routines, and honestly, it’s starting to hurt our relationship too. How do we stop fighting about parenting and work better together? Resources: Prioritizing Your Marriage in Adoption, Foster Care, or Kinship CareWhen Yo...

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56:04

Navigating Special Education And Advocating for Your...

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/07/08

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Navigating special education can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode, we’re joined by Paula J. Yost, a licensed clinical mental health therapist, special education advocate, lawyer, educator, and author who breaks down IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, and how to effectively advocate for your child. In this episode, we discuss: What led you to focus on helping families navigate the special education system?For parents and caregivers ...

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13:03

I Need Some Concrete Ideas to Build a More Secure...

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/07/04

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Question: My child is in upper elementary school, and we’ve been together for a while, but they still keep me at arm’s length. What are some concrete things I can do now to help build a more secure attachment? Resources: Establishing Secure Attachment with Your New Foster or Adopted Tween or TeenUnderstanding and Improving Parent-Child AttachmentThe Power of Curiosity: Helping Kids Feel Safe to GrowUnderstanding How Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) Hel...

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47:47

Child Hosting Programs: Preparing to be a Host Family

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/07/01

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! What should you consider when preparing to become a host family to a child who is eligible for international adoption? We talk with Misty Lucas, an International Program Director at Gladney Center for Adoption. In this episode, we talk about: For listeners new to this topic, what is a child hosting program, and what are the goals of hosting today? How have hosting programs changed in recent years, especially around ethics and child welfare practices?&...

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6:29

I Really Don't Want an Open Adoption! - Weekend Wisdom

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/06/27

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Question: We have applied to adopt a baby. We’re more or less being told that if we don’t agree to an open adoption, we’ll never get chosen by a birth mom. But, I really don’t want an open adoption. I think kids need just one mom and dad and opening up our family to others will just be confusing for everyone. But, I’m afraid that we’ll never get chosen if I say this. Resources: Open Adoption (Resource page)Listening to Adoptee VoicesUnderstanding the Birth Paren...

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57:18

Parenting Neurodiverse Teens: Practical Help for Hard...

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/06/24

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Parenting neurodiverse tweens and teens can feel overwhelming, especially when traditional parenting strategies don’t seem to work. In this episode, we talk with Carl Young and Joel Sheagren, co-authors of Embracing Hope: Innovative Strategies to Empower Parents Raising Neurodiverse Teens, about practical, brain-based strategies to reduce conflict, support emotional regulation, strengthen connection, and navigate the hard seasons with more hope. In this episode,...

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12:41

What Should I Ask for Before Finalizing a Foster...

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/06/20

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Question: We’re getting close to adopting our foster child, and I keep worrying there are things we should be asking for before finalization that we don’t even know to request. What information or records should we make sure to get from the agency so we truly understand our child’s history and needs? Resources: 23 Crucial Questions to Ask at Foster Care Placement MeetingsAre You Considering Foster Care Adoption This Year?Adopting a Child of a Different Race...

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67:31

When Parenting Feels Uneven: Helping Your Partner...

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/06/17

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Many parents raising adopted, foster, or kinship children feel like they’re carrying most of the parenting load alone. Talking about it and changing it can be hard. In this episode, Josh Davis, PhD, shares practical, non-blaming strategies to improve communication, build confidence, and create a stronger parenting partnership when raising kids from hard places. As Father's Day approaches, Josh also offers some downloads for Dads! In this episode, we discuss: How...

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6:42

Should I Do DNA Testing for My Adopted Infant? -...

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/06/13

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Question: Our daughter is 11 months old and was adopted through an open adoption. We have a relationship with her birth mother, but don't yet feel it's the right moment to ask about family history, and her birth father is completely unknown to us. We do know that both birth parents are Hispanic, but beyond that, we have no additional information about her heritage or background. We want her to grow up with as rich a sense of her identity and heritage as possible...

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38:49

Understanding the Child Welfare Experience from the...

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/06/10

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! We talk a lot about the child’s experience in foster care, but what is this experience like for the child’s birth parents? You may be surprised! Join our conversation with Dr. Darcey Merritt, a professor at the University of Chicago School of Social Work who researches this topic. In this episode, we discuss: What is a typical scenario, if there is such a thing, of how a parent finds themselves connecting with the child welfare system?What rights do birth parent...

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10:25

Why Is My Foster Child Hiding Food Everywhere? -...

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/06/06

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Question: We’re new foster parents and have noticed that our child is hiding food in their backpack, closet, and even under the bed. We make sure there’s always plenty to eat, so we’re confused and a little concerned. Is this something we should be worried about? Why might they be doing this, and how should we respond in a way that helps them feel safe? Resources: Practical Solutions to Typical Food Issues with Adopted, Foster, & Kinship KidsPhysical and Emo...

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37:04

Raising Kids, Caring for Parents

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/06/03

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Raising kids while caring for aging parents is more common than ever—and often overwhelming. We talk with Robyn Wind, the GRAND Voices Support Coordinator for the National Center on Grandfamilies at Generations United, about the realities of sandwich generation caregiving and practical ways foster, adoptive, and kinship families can find support. In this episode, we discuss: Can we start with a working definition of the term “sandwich generation”?How have ...

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9:06

How to Get a Birth Certificate & SSN After Your...

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/05/30

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Question: I’m in the process of adopting an infant and feeling overwhelmed by the paperwork. How do I get my child’s birth certificate and Social Security number after the adoption is finalized? What steps do I need to take, what documents are required, and how does this vary by state? Resources: Where to Write for Vital Records: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health StatisticsSocial Security AdministrationSupport the show Please...

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58:30

A Hard but Helpful Step: Navigating Residential...

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/05/27

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Are you considering residential treatment for your adopted child? We speak with Daniel Hochstetler of Fair Play Camp in South Carolina about preparing our families for residential treatment, navigating the programs, and how to set our families up for success after treatment. In this episode, we talk about: Pursuing residential treatment is one of the hardest decisions adoptive families can face. Based on your experience, how should we think about residenti...

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11:15

ADHD or Trauma? How Foster Parents Can Advocate at...

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/05/23

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Question: The school thinks my foster son may have ADHD, but I know he’s been through a lot of trauma. How do I know what’s driving his behavior and how to advocate for the support he actually needs? Resources: The Grandparents' Guide to Back to SchoolHow Do Teachers Understand Adoption and What Can Parents Do About It?A Parent's Guide to Working with the Schools on BehaviorBack to School with Foster and Adopted KidsUnderstood.orgSupport the show Please leave us...

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50:59

The Power of Showing Up for Families Before They Fall...

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster &... ·

2026/05/20

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! What if families had support before a crisis led to foster care? In this episode, we talk with Dr. David Anderson, psychologist and founder and executive director of SAFE Families for Children, about a community-based model that helps keep children safe while supporting parents through difficult seasons. Dr. Anderson also serves as Executive Director of Lydia Home Association in Chicago and has been recognized as an Ashoka Fellow and Prime Movers Fellow. In this...

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