2 Adoptive Mamas

The Main Thing:

We had so much fun with Kara and are thrilled to bring you Episode 030 of the Two Adoptive Mamas Podcast --- Keeping Our Cool with School. Kara's energy is contagious as she shares the ins and outs of establishing a recipe for success when it comes to navigating education. She is transparent, funny, passionate, and refreshingly direct --- a conversation that all of us can benefit from no matter our season of parenting. Kara unpacks what we can be doing at home, how we can build relationships at school, and how our efforts will not only benefit our children but our entire family. Join us! 

Episode Resources:

Kara shared a book recommendation - we can't wait to get our hands on a copy!

Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Your Cultural Lies by Hillary Morgan Ferrer

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!

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The Main Thing: 

For Episode 029 we're sitting down with a (repeat) guest, Natalie Vecchione, and her co-author and friend, Cindy LaJoy, to talk about their new book --- Blazing New Homeschool Trails: Educating and Launching Teens with Developmental Disabilities. As two adoptive moms who have navigated the challenges of FASD and other developmental diagnoses, their heart, passion, and expertise are unmatched. Both decided to homeschool and have a ton of insight, resources, and experience to share. We're so grateful they agreed to join us on the podcast. If you're considering homeschool or just feel at the end of your rope when it comes to finding the right resources to meet the needs of your child, then you'll want to hear what Natalie and Cindy have to share!

Episode Resources: 

Blazing New Homeschool Trails: Educating and Launching Teens with Developmental Disabilities by Natalie Vecchione and Cindy LaJoy

Blazing New Homeschool Trails - the website!

FASD Hope Podcast

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!

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The Main Thing: 

After having their two boys, Melinda and her husband Nate felt God tugging at their hearts to step into foster care. A little over a year ago, they welcomed a beautiful baby girl into their family, and their lives have been forever changed. Through the challenges and special moments of their foster care journey, the Smiths have seen the Lord's hand in it all. Melinda joined us to share more about their experience and how she's keeping it real amidst the unexpected.  If you're in the thick of foster care or considering walking that journey, you won't want to miss this episode! 

Episode Resources: 

Melinda shared some great resources for hopeful or current foster parents - check them out!

Foster the Family (website, blog, & podcast!)

Murphy's Three Homes by Jan Levinson Gilman (a great book for kids!)

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!

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The Main Thing: 

Growing up, Kelly knew she was adopted. Rebecca always thought she was an only child - she didn’t know that years earlier her parents had made an adoption plan for a child they did not feel they were ready to parent.

Fast forward to 2019 --- Kelly and Rebecca find each other --- and the rest is history! We promise you’ll love this sister duo as they share their heart for adoption, journey to finding each other, and what they want adoptive and birth parents to know. We laughed, cried, and were filled with hope during our conversation with Kelly and Rebecca, and we know you will be too!

Episode Resources: 

Click HERE for our resource list of children’s books about adoption.

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!

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The Main Thing:
For Episode 026 we had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Matt Quade to unpack what it looks like to get back to work as you grow your family through adoption and foster care. There is so much conversation to be had around this topic, and so in this bonus episode, we're going to keep it going! Join us for this "fireside chat" conversation to hear our thoughts and personal experiences on reentry post-placement. 

Episode Resources:
If you didn't catch our conversation with Dr. Quade, you can find it HERE.  

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!

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The Main Thing:
Adding to your family is a life-changing event. Whether biological, adoption or foster care, it’s a major event and everything is different thereafter. At some point, it comes time to return to “normal” or some of the responsibilities we had pre-family addition. But how? And with what support? For Episode 026 we had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Matt Quade, Associate Professor of Management at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. As a passionate educator and fellow adoptive parent he has completed and participated in extensive research opportunities pertaining to adoptive parent support. He’s joined us to share his insights and advice on how to navigate getting back to work! 

Episode Resources:
To take a deeper dive into topics discussed during this episode, Matt recommended 5 Gears by Jeremie Kubicek and connecting with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

2 A.M. Connect:
Want to stay connected with what’s happening at 2 Adoptive Mamas? Visit 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!

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The Main Thing:
For decades Show Hope has shown up for families pre and post adoption. Founded in 2003 by Steven and Mary Beth Chapman, Show Hope continues to be a light for families in the trenches of adoption. With a mission to engage the Church and eliminate barriers for those committing to the adoption process to grow their families, Show Hope has continued to expand opportunities for support. Most recently, their Medical Aid Grant program is helping families navigate a child’s medical needs after adoption finalization takes place. 

We were thrilled when founder, Mary Beth Chapman, and Show Hope’s Executive Director, Emily Chapman Richards, agreed to join us on the podcast to discuss the new Medical Aid Grant program and the incredible work of Show Hope in the lives of adoptive families. It was an honor and privilege to share the mic with two women of incredible faith and passion for adoption. We’re so excited to share this conversation with you!

Episode Resources:
Mary Beth and Emily shared some great resources - check them out below!
Show Hope
Howtoadopt.org 

We always like to ask our guests what they’re currently reading - adoption related, or not! If you’re looking for your next read, you might consider these from Mary Beth & Emily: 

Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
Companions in the Darkness by Diana Gruver
The Testament by John Grisham 

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:
For Episode 024 we’re rounding up some of our favorite season one podcast moments. What fun it is to relive and highlight some of the moments that made this venture more than we could have hoped for! You also won’t want to miss what we’re sharing about season two - we’re so excited!

Episode Resources:
Until season 2, be sure to catch-up on any missed episodes at twoadoptivemamas.com or find the next addition to your personal library through our resource list! We’ll still be on social media and the blog (here and there) - so keep an eye out!

2.A.M. Connect:
Want to stay connected with our 2 Adoptive Mamas community? Visit our website and share your e-mail. We don't like to over-fill inboxes, so you'll receive our weekly newsletter and the occasional special announcement - super simple - we hope you'll join us!

Support the show

The Main Thing:
For Episode 023 of the podcast we got to sit down with Kanisha Tillman from Tutus and Tennis shoes --- yes you heard us correctly --- Tutus and Tennis shoes, how fun is that?!
Kenisha is in the business of partnering with transracial adoptive families to equip and empower parents and children to feel confident in all things hair care. Her passion and heart for adoptive families and her mission to be a resource to so many is exciting and inspiring!

Episode Resources:
Want to know how you can find Kanisha? Check her out on Instagram (@tutus_tennis_shoes) or click HERE to visit her website!

2.A.M. Connect:
Want to stay connected with our 2 Adoptive Mamas community? Visit our website and share your e-mail. We don't like to over-fill inboxes, so you'll receive our weekly newsletter and the occasional special announcement - super simple - we hope you'll join us!

Support the show

The Main Thing:
Episode 022 provided an opportunity for us to connect with Erin Bouchard. She’s a mama with a really special story touched by foster care and adoption and is passionate about resourcing parents in the trenches. Erin joined us to talk about kinship adoption, trauma-informed parenting, and how to seek out resources in our communities so we are supported and equipped!

Episode Resources:
Erin shared so much goodness with us in Episode 022 --- and we have more here for you too!

You can find Erin at traumainformedfosterparenting.com where you can check out her blog AND consider joining her FREE course titled, “5 Days to Less Unwanted Behaviors.”
It launches THIS WEEK (don’t worry, there will be more sessions too)!
Check it out HERE.

You can also find Erin on Instagram @raisingourfabtribe or on Facebook.

Erin’s book recommendations include:
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
What Happened to You? by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey
The Connected Child by Karen Purvis (a 2 Adoptive Mamas favorite!)

2.A.M. Connect:
If you haven’t already, click “Subscribe” so that you don’t miss what’s next with Two Adoptive mamas. And if you’re feeling extra generous, a review would mean so much to us!

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