2 Adoptive Mamas

The Main Thing:

Is it a sensory processing disorder? Or sensory integration? How can we help our children thrive amidst some of the challenging diagnoses they may face? What is the good news about how God has uniquely designed our brains to build new pathways to success? And what does this mean for my child's occupational therapy needs?

Guess what? Crista Bush is answering all these questions and more in Episode 038. After serving for years as a pediatric Occupational Therapist and now as a teacher, Crista is a wealth of knowledge and encouragement as an advocate for helping children thrive amidst whatever challenges they may face. You'll find a lot of heart in this episode as Crista unpacks the science behind what we're seeing with our children and the reality of what we can do to help equip them and build the skills and confidence to overcome. 

Episode Resources:

There are so many great educational references and resources that we can learn from! Crista shared a few with us:

Check out the American Occupational Therapy Association on the web at aota.org. 

You might be surprised to know that autism communities often have helpful resources for learning about sensory needs. Looking for some solid references, education, and practical age-appropriate activities? Click HERE.

With the goal of self-regulation in mind, you might want to check out this awesome program, "How Does Your Engine Run" developed by two occupational therapists!  There is also a book available, which is available HERE.  

2 A.M. Connect: 

Stay connected with what’s happening at 2 Adoptive Mamas by visiting our website and share your e-mail. We don’t like to overwhelm inboxes, so you’ll just receive our weekly newsletter and the occasional special announcement - super simple - we hope you’ll join us!

Support the show

The Main Thing:

Mary has spent her entire adult life searching for her roots. She persevered through many obstacles in hopes of meeting her birth mother, only to find out it was too late. With an unimaginable ending to her search, she has discovered a newfound strength, which has led to sharing her story with the masses. Mary hopes to touch the lives of other adoptees who may be considering a reunification process of their own. 

It was a privilege to have Mary join us for Episode 037 of the Two Adoptive Mamas podcast. Her story, courage, and mission to inspire others as they walk their own journey is a perspective from the adoption triad that we're exploring more and more! There's so much we can learn from Mary and her journey. We are grateful for her willingness to share and know you will be too!

Episode Resources:

Guess what?! Mary is writing a book! Follow her on Instagram at @becauseadoption for more of her content and to keep tabs on her book release!

2 A.M. Connect: 

Stay connected with what’s happening at 2 Adoptive Mamas by visiting our website and share your e-mail. We don’t like to overwhelm inboxes, so you’ll just receive our weekly newsletter and the occasional special announcement - super simple - we hope you’ll join us!

Support the show

The Main Thing:

Trisha Priebe joined us for Episode 012 from her seat as the Director of Communications at Lifesong for Orphans. Well, she’s BACK for Episode 036 and we could not be more thrilled!

As an adoptee, adoptive mom, and adoption advocate, Trisha lives, breathes, and embraces all things adoption. Her heart for the Lord, transparency in sharing her own personal journey, and her mission to help adoptees feel whole in who they are and the calling on their life is simply unmatched. It was a delight to dive deep into the trenches with Trisha and unpack some of the hidden conversations that we tend to tuck away. We were inspired and challenged by our time together, and hope you are too!

Episode Resources:

Trisha shared about the Equipping Minds Cognitive Development Curriculum in this episode - check it out HERE!

Did you know Lifesong for Orphans provides financial support and post-adoption services to adoptive families? Check out these opportunities and more at lifesong.org.

2 A.M. Connect: 

Stay connected with what’s happening at 2 Adoptive Mamas by visiting our website and share your e-mail. We don’t like to overwhelm inboxes, so you’ll just receive our weekly newsletter and the occasional special announcement - super simple - we hope you’ll join us!

Support the show

We've heard it said that the week between Christmas and New Year's doesn't count. It's a "sink into your couch" kind of week to unwind, continue festivities and game plan for that New Year purge of the clutter (physical and otherwise) that has infiltrated our homes over the past month. 

So let it be. Let it be a week that is different...but let's make it count, shall we?

We wanted to take a moment to say a few things:

1. Merry Christmas!
2. We can't wait for what's to come in the year ahead.
3. We have some special guests who wanted to offer their own dose of Christmas joy - we think it's pretty great!

Let's soak in this week, and make it count. And even in the thick of it, remember, you've got this, mama!

Support the show

The Main Thing:
 
We can’t think of a better way to finish out the calendar year than with our husbands. So, for Episode 035, they’re back! We’re taking a dive into what we learned this year and our goals for the year ahead. We are grateful, all four of us, for what the Two Adoptive Mamas platform has taught us as parents, advocates, and friends. Together our adoption and foster community is stronger when we learn from one another and  in the challenging and status quo seasons.

We’re so grateful to our husbands who were willing to jump in and share. They’re an important part of the “behind the scenes” of the podcast — we could not do this without them.

So, join us on our double-date, and hear from our other halves where we find ourselves as we close the books on 2021. 

2 A.M. Connect: 

Stay connected with what’s happening at 2 Adoptive Mamas by visiting our Connect page to share your e-mail. We don’t like to overwhelm inboxes, so you’ll just receive our weekly newsletter and the occasional special announcement - super simple - we hope you’ll join us!

Support the show

The Main Thing:

She started as an elementary school teacher, became an RN, and is now a mom of 6 juggling a myriad of needs while fiercely loving the kiddos God has called to her home.

We had the privilege of sitting down with Stacey Gagnon for Episode 034 of the Two Adoptive Mamas podcast. We're asking Stacey about the lies she wanted to believe as she navigated her own family's adoption journey, and what she's sharing about them now to bring awareness and hope to others.

Her steadfast love for the Lord and commitment to her family are unmatched. We were honored to have her join us and thrilled to share her insights with you in this episode! 

Episode Resources:

Find Stacey on Facebook or her blog for more!

As a personal book recommendation, Stacey shared The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van der Kolk - Check it out!

2 A.M. Connect: 

Stay connected with what’s happening at 2 Adoptive Mamas by visiting our website and share your e-mail. We don’t like to overwhelm inboxes, so you’ll just receive our weekly newsletter and the occasional special announcement - super simple - we hope you’ll join us!

Support the show

The Main Thing:

There's so much preparation and support that happens pre-placement. But what about after a child finds their forever family? Or after a foster family welcomes a child into their home? What about continued support and resources --- do they exist? They DO! But we don't talk about it enough. 

Sheryl Bernot is an adoptee, adoptive mom, and now works with a foster care and adoption agency. We're starting the conversation in Episode 033 on the importance and necessity of post-permanency services in all seasons - calm and challenging! We believe strong families raise thriving adoptees, and it takes a village to do it. Join us to learn more about how you can find the support and resources that just might make all the difference!

Episode Resources:

Looking for post-permanency services in your area? Contact your foster care or adoption agency and ask what's available in your area.

We also recommend visiting howtoadopt.org, a great resource through Show Hope that offers guidance on pre and post-permanency services!

2 A.M. Connect: 

Stay connected with what’s happening at 2 Adoptive Mamas by visiting our website and share your e-mail. We don’t like to overwhelm inboxes, so you’ll just receive our weekly newsletter and the occasional special announcement - super simple - we hope you’ll join us!

Support the show

The Main Thing:

Cindy LaJoy is one of the most passionate, real, and encouraging moms you'll meet. She has an immense heart for adoption and you name it, she's walked it with her awesome crew. She joined us for Episode 032 to take a closer look at Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). We'll start with the basics and then take a deep dive into how RAD touches each part of the adoption triad and how you too can thrive through the seemingly impossible. We're so grateful for Cindy's transparency and the bright light that her family's story brings to the darkness that is Reactive Attachment Disorder. Maybe you suspect RAD, maybe you have a confirmed diagnosis in your family, or maybe you've never heard of it before --- no matter where you are in your adoption or foster journey, there's something here for you!

Episode Resources:

Has your family been impacted by Reactive Attachment Disorder? Do you have a favorite go-to resource you'd be willing to share? We would love to grow our resource page with options specific to this need. E-mail us at [email protected]. Together we can grow a network of resources in a space where there is still little to share!

2 A.M. Connect: 

Stay connected with what’s happening at 2 Adoptive Mamas by visiting our website and share your e-mail. We don’t like to overwhelm inboxes, so you’ll just receive our weekly newsletter and the occasional special announcement - super simple - we hope you’ll join us!

Support the show

When we count our blessings here at Two Adoptive Mamas, we count our listeners TWICE!

We're so grateful to have had all of you --- new and "old" listeners --- along for this journey. We can't believe it's been almost a year!

Sending a Thanksgiving greeting your way, and taking a quick break to be with family (and eat lots of delicious food)! 

2 A.M. Connect: 

Stay connected with what’s happening at 2 Adoptive Mamas by visiting our website and sharing your e-mail. We don’t like to overwhelm inboxes, so you’ll just receive our weekly newsletter and the occasional special announcement - super simple - we hope you’ll join us!

Support the show

The Main Thing: 

As an author, advocate, adoptee, and hopeful adoptive parent, it's tough to find a corner of Chelsea Sobolik's life that isn't touched by adoption. She graciously joined us for Episode 031 of the podcast. She shares about her work on Capitol Hill, the inspiration behind her book Longing for Motherhood, and how adoption is woven into her family. 

Chelsea's kindness shines through her story, and is coupled with a fierce commitment to child welfare and loving kiddos from hard places. She's a breath of fresh air, an encouragement in every season, and a reminder to all of us that the journey will transform us --- and that's okay.

Episode Resources:

Visit Chelsea on the web!
https://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com

2 A.M. Connect: 

Stay connected with what’s happening at 2 Adoptive Mamas by visiting our website and share your e-mail. We don’t like to overwhelm inboxes, so you’ll just receive our weekly newsletter and the occasional special announcement - super simple - we hope you’ll join us!

Support the show