Fostering Voices Podcast

This week's episode is not for little kids' ears!

But it is one for husbands, wives, moms, dads, and teenagers. And is definitely a discussion topic for you and your pre-teens. We are talking about the effects of pornography and addiction and sexual purity. It affects everyone, more than you may realize.

This week's episode is a short one! We read somewhere that most people like to tune un for 20-30 minutes. So, we are giving it a shot! This can't be our norm, since we interview people, and we want to hear as much of their stories as possible. But when we can, we will try to keep the episodes between just Chris and I, less than 45 minutes? Ok? No promises though. We are Chatty Cathys.

So the heart of this episode is to have a focus on how you want your kids to turn out. We have a motto for our Small Group, which is "Raising kids who aren't A-holes". And it's funny, and it's true. But after talking with our wise friends, the Worcesters, they told us we need to focus on what we DO want our kids to be, not on what we DON'T want our kids to be.

What we don't want our kids to be is too broad and too vague. But when we have a specific goal for our kids, it is easier to direct them in that manner. The Worcesters also mentioned that some of the most successful people are Kind, Compassionate, and Forgiving. So that's what we are trying to instill in our kids, among a couple of other things.

But, when the kids are unkind, it is much easier to guide them to try again, and show them what kindness looks like. This takes a lot of consistency, rewarding what is done correctly, redoing what is done incorrectly, and modeling this for the kids, as their parents.

This talk stemmed from Topher coming home from school, asking for new shoes. That he had not worn out or grown out of. So the answer was NO. But after a few weeks, after seeing $11 shoes on sale at Target, Topher got some new shoes, and later divulged that someone made fun of him for wearing Sketchers.

Can we, as a community, agree to raise our kids to be kind to one another?? Can we teach our kids to be confident in who they are, and to really like what they like, even if other kids make fun of them? And in feeling confident in themselves, teaching them to not tear others down, and not judging others for what they wear? Please??

Again, this is something that will happen with intentional conversations. With modeling what a life that isn't based on acquiring material possessions, keeping up with the Joneses, and not talking smack about the Joneses and what they wear and have.

So that's it. We hope you enjoy today's episode and that it gives you pause to talk to your kids about this stuff, and to check yourself (before you literally wreck yourself).

The (Good) Word of the Day

12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

This verse is the basis for raising our kids (and reminding ourselves) to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving. Just as Jesus was.

Thanks for joining us, and we hope you will join us again next week!

If you want to connect on Social Media, you can find me at:

Jihae Watson on Facebook

Fostering Voices on Instagram

Jihae Watson on Instagram

AND we would LOVE it if you would leave us a review on iTunes! This helps others to find our podcast so we can share these voices from the foster care and adoption community!

So the heart of this episode is to have a focus on how you want your kids to turn out. We have a motto for our Small Group, which is "Raising kids who aren't A-holes". But after talking with our wise friends, the Worcesters, they told us we need to focus on what we DO want our kids to be, not on what we DON'T want our kids to be. 

Some of the most successful people in the world are Kind, Compassionate, and Forgiving. So that's what we are trying to instill in our kids, and ourselves.

This week we have an amazing interview with Tia Thompson, an incredible woman, who has an incredible story. Or stories. There are so very many stories. But this week we are just focusing on a few of hers.

But, before we jump into the interview, in the intro, we give one life hack, and that is to pursue your passions with all of your heart! Chris read "Crushing It" by Gary Vaynerchuck, and so he was feeling particularly motivational this week!

In the rest of the podcast, we talked about:

- Adjusting and adapting! We adjust from being single to married, then again when we have one kid, and then when we have more kids. Tia is the queen of adjusting and adapting.

- Part of her story is that her husband has advanced ALS, is homebound, and communicates via fancy computer that he operates with his eyes! He is incredible! And so is Tia. And so are their girls. They don't complain about anything, because this is their one and only glorious life. We could all learn so much from their example!

- Tia adopted her three girls via kinship placement, as she is technically their aunt, but fully and completely their mom.

- We need to give a major shout out to Veterans Affairs, as they usually get so much negative press, but they came through quickly, and so beautifully for the Thompson family.

- Tia is a full time stay-at-home mom and caregiver for her husband. But, she is also a notary, signing agent, and finger printer, so if you are in need of any of the above - email her at [email protected]

- Tia and Jeff are trying to teach their daughters about Courage and Strength, and they exemplify these attributes in their daily lives.

- This whole story is such a beautiful story of redemption, and we hope you enjoy this week's interview!

Good Word of the Day:

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

-Deut 31:6

Thank you Tia, for sharing your heart and your voice with us this week!

If you want to connect on Social Media, you can find me at:

Jihae Watson on Facebook

Fostering Voices on Instagram

Jihae Watson on Instagram

AND we would LOVE it if you would leave us a review on iTunes! This helps others to find our podcast so we can share these voices from the foster care and adoption community!

This week we have an amazing interview with Tia Thompson, an incredible woman, who has an incredible story. Or stories. There are so very many stories. But this week we are just focusing on a few of hers.

Part of her story is that her husband has advanced ALS, and together they have adopted her three girls via kinship placement, as she is technically their aunt, but fully and completely their mom.

This week's episode deals with Life Hacks for your home, so that every person in your home can experience just a little more peace. Cause we all need more peace, right? Especially when you have 7 people living in that house.

So, Life Hack 1: Chores and Money.

We recently read a blog article by our friend, Grant Botma, about what he does with his kids. He's a financial expert, so we knew it was going to be good. You can read it here.

He discusses how he does not give his kids an allowance, or pay them for chores that are expected of them:

"These are cleaning messes you make, doing your laundry, your dishes, and other household chores that are part of being a household member. When my kids are eventually on their own, they won't get paid to do their own dishes or laundry. As a result, these are tasks they need to do without financial incentive."

You just have to read the whole article. Or watch this video. It's so good.

We are also trying to teach our kids about taking initiative, budgeting their money, and being productive members of the family.

Our concern for older foster kids, especially ones who will age out, is that they have never been taught how to manage their money. So, this is especially important to think about, especially if you get older teenagers who come through your home or group home.

We are reading a book called 'How to Raise and Adult' and it is so great. They talk about the vital necessity of teaching children to do chores. Some of them, Grant hits on in his article, but this is a Long book, so the author goes into great depths about many parenting issues. But chores is the one we focused on for this week.

Life Hack 2: Dealing with Anxiety

The next life hack we talk about is dealing with anxiety via metacognition. What does this mean? Thinking about what you think about. We straight up stole this from this sermon that our brother, Robert, preached a few weeks ago, about Peace.

Based off of Philippians 4:8, which is the Good Word of the Day, we are charged to think about 'whatever is true'. This means, for those struggling with anxiety, they must leave the Land of What Ifs, and live in the Land of What Is. It's ok to be prepared for some worst case scenarios, but when all we think about is the worst case scenario, then we fill our minds with anxiety and fear. This is not how we are called to live!

Paul, who wrote Philippians 4, was in prison, not in a field of flowers, writing these beautiful words. I think that this fact alone is so encouraging, and a beautiful example that we can fight off anxiety in the safety of our homes.

Life Hack 3: Quit Comparing

Just 5 short years ago, I was sitting in my kitchen googling how to transform my ugly green-ish laminate countertops to LOOK LIKE granite. With a paint kit. And now I am the proud owner of granite counter tops. I share this because I don't want people to look at my house and feel jealous or sad. I want people to know our context - which is we work hard, we save money, and we do things that we can afford. We also live in Arizona, where the cost of living is NOT high! My big house with it's big yard, costs the same as my brother's condo with NO yard, in Toronto.

Context. Perspective. Gratitude.

These three things will surely help us all to quit comparing our lives to other peoples', and to find joy in what we do have.

We have a choice in what we think about, and how we do that! Do not let comparison rob you of your contentment.

The (Good) Word of the Day:

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Philippians 4:8

Thanks for joining us sweet friends!

If you want to connect on Social Media, you can find me at:

Jihae Watson on Facebook

Fostering Voices on Instagram

Jihae Watson on Instagram

AND we would LOVE it if you would leave us a review on iTunes! This helps others to find our podcast so we can share these voices from the foster care and adoption community!

This week's episode deals with Life Hacks for your home, so that every person in your home can experience just a little more peace. Cause we all need more peace, right? Especially when you have 7 people living in that house.

Today's episode features the voice of Donise, a 62 year old foster and adoptive mom. Her tale is a very unique, and absolutely amazing, with major hardships and tragedy mixed in for good measure.

Donise has 5 grown daughters, and adopted 12 and 11 year olds, and 3 littles ages 2 and under. And they also happen to be medically fragile. This is why this episode is called 'Interview with Saint Donise' .

I hope you will enjoy this episode. And I ask for some grace as there are 2 babies present during the recording. Real life people! I am interviewing real foster parents, and they really have real foster kids living and growing and thriving in their homes!

In This Episode We Talk About:

- A short life is not an incomplete life!

- That as foster parents, we don't always know where a child should go, and more often than not, we shouldn't interfere with that process. There are natural connections that happen, to be sure! But all in all, we can have peace with placements when we just leave it all in the Lord's hands.

- Donise works hard and travels far so that her kids can stay connected with their tribal family and heritage. Donise's focus is always on her kids first. Again - Sainthood status achieved.

The (Good) Word of the Day:

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

- Lamentations 3:22-23

So true! So encouraging. We can always arise with a new hope for the day, no matter how hard the day before may have been. We are so thankful for God's faithfulness and mercy in our lives.

And that's it my friends! Hope you have a wonderful week, and if you have a moment, we would love for you to leave a review for us on iTunes!

Thanks and we will catch you again next week!

If you want to connect on Social Media, you can find me at:

Jihae Watson on Facebook

Fostering Voices on Instagram

Jihae Watson on Instagram

Donise is a 62 year old foster and adoptive mom who has cared for over 100 children in the last 12 years! If this doesn't qualify her for sainthood, I don't know what could! Donise shares her joy and love for these Native American children with us, but she also shares some major hardships that she has had to overcome.

In this week's episode, we talk about how the imprints of love that our parents and family that we grew up with, affect us in our adulthood.

We talk about all of this through the lens of the book "How We Love" by Milan and Kay Yerkovich, which is EXCELLENT and we Highly recommend it.

You can find it here.

But if you aren't much of a book reader (and of course they have it on Audible.com, which is great since that's how we read it) you should at the very least go to their website. You can find their quiz HERE, and see what your love style is.

The five categories are: Pleaser, Controller, Avoider, Vacillator, and Victim.

Chris and I are both in the PLEASER love style, which you would think is amazing. But it has it's downfalls for sure. Like, some Pleasers do things for others - to make themselves feel better, not to make the person that they are serving feel better.

Soul Words are words that seem so obvious to some, and impossible to articulate for others. You can find a list here. Maybe it will help to have this up on your refrigerator, and to refer to it when having important discussions with your spouse and/or children.

The Good Word of the Day

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self,which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

-Ephesians 4:22-24

Even though we fall into certain categories of Love Styles, and they come with negative, and positive connotations, none of us are supposed to be STUCK in that forever. We are called to grow, change, evolve, and put on a new self. And we can help the children in our care, as well as our spouses and friends, to also grow in their minds, and be like our Creator, who is righteous and holy.