Let's Talk Adoption

We’ve covered a lot of ground in our recent episodes, from what happens at the hospital and preparing to travel to health insurance, ICPC, home studies, and employer adoption benefits.

And sometimes, answering one question just leads to another!

So today, we’re doing another listener Q&A and tackling five of those practical “Okay, but what happens if…?” questions that we haven’t really covered yet:

1. “What happens if we get the call about a baby and our home study has expired or is about to expire?”
2. “If we travel for an adoption and the expectant mother changes her mind, who pays for our travel and hotel expenses?”
3. “Can an adoptive family ever leave the hospital with the baby before the birth mother is discharged?”
4. “What happens if the baby needs to go to the NICU but the adoptive parents have to leave the state because of work or other children at home?”
5. “If we’re matched with an expectant mother, can we add the baby to our health insurance before the baby is actually born?”

Growing your family through adoption is exciting, but if you’re already parenting a child, you may be wondering how to prepare them for this life-changing journey.Whether you’ve experienced secondary infertility, always hoped to adopt, or recently felt called to grow your family through adoption, one question often comes up:

“How do I explain adoption to my child and help them welcome a new sibling?”



In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Kim King and Heather Featherston discuss practical, age-appropriate ways to prepare your children for adoption.

When you receive the call that an adoption opportunity is available, things can move quickly. Some families have hours to prepare, while others have a day or two. Being ready ahead of time can make an already emotional experience much less stressful.

In this episode, we’re sharing practical ways to prepare before your phone rings, including:

• Creating an adoption “go bag”
• Packing the essentials for both you and your baby
• Planning ahead for children and pets at home
• Preparing your finances and travel plans
• Getting your home ready for your return
• What to expect if you need to stay out of state for ICPC
• Simple steps you can take now to feel more confident when the time comes

A little preparation today can help you focus on what matters most when your adoption journey begins.

Adoption is surrounded by myths, half-truths, and misconceptions. In this fun, game-style episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim put some of the most common adoption statements to the test.

Is it fact…or is it fiction?

From open adoption and home studies to foster care, international adoption, birth father rights, and financial assistance during pregnancy, you’ll learn what’s true, what’s false, and where the answer depends on the situation.

Whether you’re an expectant parent considering adoption, hoping to adopt, or simply curious about how adoption really works, this episode will clear up some of the biggest misunderstandings.

In This Episode:

• Can you ever see your child again after choosing adoption?
• How are adoptive families really screened?
• Are most birth mothers teenagers?
• Is foster care adoption the same as domestic infant adoption?
• Who actually chooses the adoptive family?
• What does open adoption really mean?
• Is international adoption faster?
• Do you have to be wealthy to adopt?
• Can an expectant mother receive financial assistance?
• Are adoption laws the same in every state?
• What rights does a birth father have?
• When does a baby receive the adoptive family’s last name?
• Why are children waiting in foster care?
• Do you have to own a home to adopt?

If this episode helped answer some questions about adoption, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could benefit from hearing the facts.