Beyond the Home Study

In this heartfelt episode, Abbey and Lora open up about their personal journeys with adoption—the why, the how, and all the messy, beautiful emotions in between. From early dreams of motherhood to pivotal moments that shaped their decisions, they share the real, raw, and redemptive sides of walking through adoption.

You’ll hear about the importance of community support, the reality of navigating expectations, and why we believe that even if you're not called to adopt, you're absolutely called to care. We also dive into a real conversation about the "savior complex" and how important it is to keep adoption centered on love, humility, and honoring every unique story.

In this episode, we cover:- How personal experiences led to choosing adoption- The critical role of community in the adoption journey- The difference between a "call to adopt" and caring for orphans in other ways- Navigating infertility, fostering, and family reactions- Why every adoption story is different—and that’s a good thing

We’re sharing our hearts and hope it encourages yours—whether you're on your own adoption journey or simply looking for ways to show up for vulnerable children and families.

✨ Links & Resources

9 Questions to Ask Yourself if You're Considering Adoption

We’d love to hear from you!

Finish the sentence: "I adopted because..." and share it with us in the comments or send us a DM on Instagram!

Some days, parenting feels like a wild ride you didn’t totally sign up for—and that’s especially true when adoption, emotional exhaustion, or transitions are part of the mix. In this episode, Abbey and Lora get real about the emotional toll of motherhood, sharing their own messy, beautiful experiences and the small (but powerful!) strategies that help them reset when things feel overwhelming.

We’re talking about the mindset shifts that keep us going, how cleaning can actually be therapeutic (yes, vacuuming counts!), and the importance of giving yourself a break—literally and emotionally. Whether you're parenting through grief, transition, or just a really long week, we want you to know: you’re not alone, and you’re doing better than you think.

In this episode, we explore:
- Sleep deprivation & parenting capacity
- Cleaning hacks that double as emotional resets
- Practical ways to reframe your mindset on tough days
- How to recognize what you need as a parent

From “pull-up days” to “green chair moments,” this episode is your reminder that growth happens in the hard stuff—and that taking care of yourself is part of taking care of your family.

✨ LINKS & RESOURCES ✨

Yoto Player How-To: https://us.yotoplay.com/make-your-own

- click the FAQs for adding a podcast like Thomas the Train

IG & Podcasts we mentioned:

-Risen Motherhood, Raising Boys & Girls, Flourishing Homes & Families, Feeding Littles

Freebie: Bedtime Battles: A How-to Guide for Helping Your Adopted Toddler Sleep

Got a question, a story to share, or something you want us to talk about on the podcast? Email us anytime at [email protected]

Adoption is always an emotional journey, but Abbey’s story is one for the books. In this special bonus episode, Abbey opens up about the rollercoaster of adopting her twin girls—from navigating the NICU to embracing the unexpected timing of their birth, all while processing family loss.

She shares the deep emotions of welcoming two new lives into her family, the meaning behind their names, and how she found peace in the chaos. Plus, she reflects on her connection with the birth mother, the support that carried her through, and the unexpected joys of parenting twins.

If you love heartwarming, real-life adoption stories, this one’s for you! 💛

🎧 Listen in for:
✨ The whirlwind of NICU life with premature twins
✨ The emotional highs and lows of adoption
✨ Finding peace in the unknowns of the journey
✨ The power of community and support
✨ How Abbey is honoring and supporting the birth mother

Adoption is complex, beautiful, and full of surprises—this story is proof of that.

Chapters

00:00 The Exciting News of Adoption

02:56 Navigating Grief and New Life

06:10 The Journey to California

08:55 First Encounters with the Twins

12:22 Bonding and NICU Experiences

15:09 Open Adoption and Communication

18:09 Next Steps for the Twins

21:00 Choosing Names with Meaning

23:47 Navigating Adoption Complexities

31:14 Life Changes and New Beginnings

Let’s be honest—sleep is one of the most talked about (and misunderstood) parts of parenting. In this episode, we’re getting real about all things sleep: the myths, the pressure, the late-night chaos, and why “just sleep when the baby sleeps” deserves a permanent eye-roll.

Join us, Lora and Abbey, as we unpack our personal experiences with sleep challenges—from those newborn nights to parenting older kiddos through bedtime battles. We’re busting the myth that there's a one-size-fits-all sleep strategy, talking about the controversial "cry it out" method, and why flexibility (and grace!) are essential—especially for adoptive and foster families.

In this episode, we dive into:
- The unrealistic expectations around baby sleep
- Why routines > rigid schedules
- The truth about "crying it out"
- How sleep ties into child development and emotional safety
- Customizing sleep strategies for your unique family
- The importance of intentional rest—for you, too!

Whether you're deep in the newborn fog, navigating sleep with a foster placement, or just wondering if your kid is ever going to sleep through the night... this one’s for you. Grab your coffee (in your ember mug 😉) and come hang with us for a conversation full of honesty, validation, and a whole lot of grace.

✨Freebie: Bedtime Battles: A How-to Guide for Helping Your Adopted Toddler Sleep
💌 Have questions, comments, or a story to share with us? We’d love to hear from you! Email us anytime at [email protected]

Meltdowns, Tantrums & The Witching Hour—Oh My!

Ever wonder why your kid saves their biggest meltdowns for right when you’re about to sit down and breathe for the first time all day? Or why they suddenly go feral when both parents are home? We’ve got answers!

In this rapid-fire Q&A episode, we’re diving into all the juicy questions about meltdowns and tantrums—why they happen, what they really mean, and how to survive them without losing your mind. We’re talking about the infamous “witching hour” (yes, it’s real), why your kid acts worse when both parents are around, and how to actually help without just throwing snacks and prayers at the problem.

We’re breaking down:
🔹 Why the “witching hour” turns your sweet kid into a tiny tornado
🔹 The “mommy effect” and why kids save their big feelings just for you (lucky, right?)
🔹 How to keep your cool when your frustration is rising
🔹 Why “attention-seeking” is really “connection-seeking” (and why that matters!)
🔹 The magic of matching your child’s emotions to help them calm down
🔹 Balancing boundaries with empathy—because yes, both matter!

Parenting is wild, but you don’t have to do it alone. Tune in and get the practical tips (and maybe a little reassurance) that you need to make these moments just a little bit easier!

Let’s do this.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Meltdowns: The Witching Hour

04:20 Parental Dynamics: Why Meltdowns Happen When Both Parents Are Home

08:07 The Safe Space: Why Kids Act Out at Home

12:15 Managing Overstimulation: Keeping Emotions in Check

18:19 Balancing Boundaries: Seeking Perspective vs. Holding Ground

You’ve got 10 minutes to grab milk before school pickup, and then—boom. Your child is on the floor, wailing, flailing, and making sure the entire store knows they are not okay. Meanwhile, you’re standing there, heart racing, feeling every pair of eyes on you. Why is this so triggering? And what on earth are you supposed to do next?

In this episode, we’re unpacking why these public meltdowns happen (hint: it’s never just about the fruit snacks) and why they can feel so overwhelming—not just for our kids, but for us as parents, too. We’ll share what actually helps in these moments, what doesn’t, and how to keep your cool when you’d rather melt into the floor yourself.

No perfect parenting advice here—just two moms who have been there and a few strategies that have actually worked for us. Because if you’ve ever felt like the worst parent in the world over a public meltdown… you’re not.

Hit play, take a deep breath, and let’s talk tantrums.

In this episode, we talk about the realities of attachment after adoption—what training doesn’t teach you and what it feels like when real life hits. Lora and Abbey share their personal experiences and insights on the myths surrounding attachment, like expecting an instant bond or thinking love alone will create it.

We break down the four attachment styles in simple terms and explain how attachment begins even in infancy. You’ll also learn how attachment shows up in everyday life, like subtle signs of progress such as eye contact and seeking comfort.

Feeling like attachment is slower than you expected? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This episode is full of encouragement and real-life tips to help you keep going.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation!

👉 And don’t miss our next episode on tantrums & meltdowns.

Welcome to the very first episode of Beyond the Home Study! We’re Lora Rose, an adoptive mom, consultant, and OT, and Abbey, an adoptive mom through embryo adoption and waiting for the call to welcome home twins. We’re here to talk about the real side of adoptive parenting—the messy, hilarious, and sometimes overwhelming parts that don’t make it into the adoption books.

In this episode, we share our journeys, the expectations vs. reality of adoption, and some of our funniest parenting fails (ever found a sausage in your car door?). If you’ve ever thought, Why didn’t anyone tell me this part of adoption?!—you’re in the right place.