Adoption Wise

How can we help our kids navigate their identity, and sit with them in the unknowns of their story or the grief and loss that comes up?

Jenn and Josh Hook don't shy away from the hard topics in this fantastic interview. They offer practical ideas for connecting across cultures and supporting your child's unique identity. We also talk about following your child's lead and honoring their grief process as they try to understand their story.

Jenn Ranter Hook, MA, is the Founder and Executive Director of Replanted – a ministry that provides post-placement support to foster & adoptive families through support groups and the Replanted Conference. She previously worked as a trauma therapist for children and adolescents in foster care. She speaks frequently on topics related to adoption and foster care support, mental health, and trauma.

Joshua Hook, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology at the University of North Texas, where he teaches Multicultural Counseling and Positive Psychology. He is also a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of Texas. He blogs about psychology and faith at JoshuaNHook.com.

Josh and Jenn co-authored Replanted: Faith-based support for foster and adoptive families, and Thriving Families: A trauma-informed guidebook for the foster and adoptive journey. They live in Dallas, TX with their daughter.

Click here to download a transcript for this episode.

Relevant Links

Thriving Families: A Trauma-Informed Guidebook for the Foster and Adoptive Journey*

Connect with Replanted on Instagram

Connect with Replanted on Facebook

*This is an affiliate link

This week we answer listener questions such as:

What do you do when not everyone in the family wants to foster/adopt anymore?

What if one of our kids isn't accepting a newly adopted sibling?

What do you do when a child always wants to pick an option not on the list when given two choices?

Is anything we're doing making a difference?

Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

With the demands of life and parenting, it can be hard to find time to stop and reflect. But pausing and reflecting is good for our soul, our nervous system, and our relationships. In this last episode for 2022 we thought it would be fun to recap the year. What we learned. When we experienced God's kindness. What we're excited about in 2023.

With the demands of life and parenting, it can be hard to find time to stop and reflect. But pausing and reflecting is good for our soul, our nervous system, and our relationships. In this last episode for 2022 we thought it would be fun to recap the year. What we learned. When we experienced God's kindness. What we're excited about in 2023.

Click here to download a transcript for this episode.

Relevant Links

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post: A Novel* by Allison Pataki

Start with Hello* by Shannon Martin

Books by Ruth Haley Barton*

* This is an affiliate link

Kids are growing up in a world of worry today. Anxiety, in fact, is a childhood epidemic, effecting 1 out of every 4 children. Kids of all ages feel pressure...from the expectations around them, inside of them, and even, unknowingly, from us. What can we do to slow the epidemic for kids, in general? And, even more importantly, what can you do to calm the worry-related meltdowns and help your child find the confidence to fight his or her own brand of Worry Monster?

Kids are growing up in a world of worry today. Anxiety, in fact, is a childhood epidemic, effecting 1 out of every 4 children. Kids of all ages feel pressure...from the expectations around them, inside of them, and even, unknowingly, from us. What can we do to slow the epidemic for kids, in general? And, even more importantly, what can you do to calm the worry-related meltdowns and help your child find the confidence to fight his or her own brand of Worry Monster?

In this workshop, you’ll gain:

• understanding the what’s and why’s in terms of the differences between anxiety and worry, and where your child is on the continuum

• help practically with tools to overcome the worry that he or she will inevitably face

• hope as your child discovers a sense of resilience that is stronger than any worry this age of

anxiety can bring

Children need understanding, help, and hope. You can make a profound difference in their their journey to finding all three. You will come out of this seminar feeling not only more confident in your parenting but in your ability to help them discover all of the courage that is already inside of them.

Click here to download a transcript for this episode.

Relevant Links

Raising Boys & Girls Website

Books by David Thomas

Raising Boys & Girls Podcast

Follow David on Instagram

Listen in as Lisa talks with two single moms about their experiences of becoming adoptive parents. Susan chose international adoption. Britani became an adoptive mom through a kinship care foster placement. They speak candidly about the blessings and challenges of being a single adoptive mom and where they find the support they need.

Click here to download a transcript for this episode.

Relevant Links

Holiday Survival Resources

The Village (use code podcast)

No one likes to fail. But kids with learning differences feel like they’re failing a lot. They always feel like they’re running to catch up with their same-aged peers. Over time, they’re self-esteem sinks lower and lower. Kids with learning differences are painfully aware of the gap between them and their peers. They may struggle socially as a well as academically.

As parents, it’s hard to watch our kids struggle with shame and low self-esteem. We want them to walk with their heads held high and know they can contribute to the world.

Keep these tips in mind when parenting your child with learning differences.

Click here to download a transcript for this episode.

Relevant Links

Strengths Based Parenting* by Mary Reckmeyer Ph.D

Holiday Survival Resources

* This is an affiliate link

This week we answer listener questions about surviving the holidays:

* How do I balance the kids' need for downtime with the anxiety that comes with unscheduled time?

* How do you avoid dysregulation over gifts?

* Do you have ideas for festive foods that aren't full of sugar?

* Any tips on being present, feeling joy, and not resenting what's coming?

Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

Relevant Links

Past episodes on surviving the holidays

#144: How do I find a skilled babysitter for my challenging kids?

Against All Grain Celebrations [A Cookbook]* by Danielle Walker

*This is an affiliate link

Do you feel isolated or alone in your parenting journey? Do you have trouble connecting with other parents because they don't seem to understand your life? We're celebrating our 200th episode with some friends from The Village, our monthly membership community. They share why they joined and why they stay. They share diversity in how they came to adoption (including kinship) and in their experiences (a dad, a single mom, etc.), but they all agree that there's power in community. They also share some sweet words of encouragement as we close, so make sure to listen to the end!