Mending Families

On today’s episode, Mara shares about being a child advocate and how that led her and her husband to being a kinship care provider for a teenage girl. We talk briefly about group homes and the “wish list” Mara has for the future of group homes. She gives us good things to think about when it comes to being involved in the lives of children in  foster care, and provides us with resources, thoughts, and insights that are helpful to everyone!

Mara Shorr is a highly regarded national consultant, speaker, and writer, as well as a former foster parent and current volunteer advocate for children through the guardian ad litem program in Orange County, FL. 

You  can find more information about Mara on her Instagram or shoot her email if you just want someone to talk to about your own journey as a foster parent or kinship caregiver.

A big THANK YOU to our new sponsor, ⁠West Plains Roasters⁠! If you have not stopped by to see them, pop in 7 days a week and get yourself some toast, coffee, or even cake on Fridays!

Where to find Mending Families:

Instagram - @mendingfamilieswa

TikTok - @mendingfamilieswa

Facebook - @mendingfamilieswa

YouTube - @mendingfamilies1594

https://www.mendingfamilieswa.com

On today’s episode, Melissa peels back the curtains of her online course and let’s you experience one of the lessons. She created Mend, Heal, Grow when she realized that she could reach more families with the work she does by offering it online and not just in person! This course offers the ability to connect with other caregivers, meet weekly over zoom (not required) and grow as a person, parent and partner! 

The next round of the course will begin Jul 1, 2024 and cart closes on Jun 21, 2024 so act now! Summer is the perfect time to mend, heal and grow as a family!

Want to purchase the online course now? Click HERE and go directly to the sales page with all the details and ways to pay (yes there are payment plans!!)

For the FREEBIE Melissa mentions with a discount offer for the course, go HERE and enter your email to get the quicksheet sent directly to your inbox!

A big THANK YOU to our new sponsor, ⁠West Plains Roasters⁠! If you have not stopped by to see them, pop in 7 days a week and get yourself some toast, coffee, or even cake on Fridays!

Where to find Mending Families:

Instagram - @mendingfamilieswa

TikTok - @mendingfamilieswa

Facebook - @mendingfamilieswa

YouTube - @mendingfamilies1594

https://www.mendingfamilieswa.com

On today’s episode, Melissa shares her thoughts and a few tips on potty training. It may seem like this is something that is pretty cut and dry, but Melissa gives us a few things to consider when starting (or restarting) potty training our toddlers, preschoolers and early elementary aged kiddos. As always, reach out with specific questions!

For the FREEBIE Melissa mentions, go HERE and enter your email to get the quicksheet sent directly to your inbox!

A big THANK YOU to our new sponsor, ⁠West Plains Roasters⁠! If you have not stopped by to see them, pop in 7 days a week and get yourself some toast, coffee, or even cake on Fridays!

**As an Amazon affiliate, I do receive a small commission when you purchase any of the products I have linked in this post**

Where to find Mending Families:

Instagram - @mendingfamilieswa

TikTok - @mendingfamilieswa

Facebook - @mendingfamilieswa

YouTube - @mendingfamilies1594

https://www.mendingfamilieswa.com

On today’s episode, Jake shares about what brought him to becoming a Somatic Experiencing and how he uses this approach to help his clients find healing and space for healing. He gives us some practical things to consider and also some strategies that you can do today to help bring your nervous system to a place of calm. Enjoy!

Jake White practices somatic experiencing and he has been in private practice for the past ten years. He specializes in helping people recover from the symptoms of trauma through an approach that focuses on releasing stress through the body and nervous system. He works through individual coaching as well as through group programs.  He is a father of two boys Luke and Abel and he has a wife named Elli White. They live on a cattle farm in West Virginia where they raise their two boys and work to care for the land. 

You  can find more information about Jake and his practice at his website, www.jakewhitehealing.com and also on Facebook and Instagram. 

A big THANK YOU to our new sponsor, ⁠West Plains Roasters⁠! If you have not stopped by to see them, pop in 7 days a week and get yourself some toast, coffee, or even cake on Fridays!

For FULL SHOW NOTES go to https://www.mendingfamilieswa.com/mending-families-podcast

On today’s episode, Melissa starts by interviewing her 12 year old daughter about her thoughts on Mother’s Day. Melissa then interviews her teenage daughter to hear from her perspective what it was like growing up with some fear based discipline before TBRI came into the mix. She has some good insight to share that will be helpful to anyone who has a teen in their life!

You  can find Kayanna’s music on her Instagram so go give her a follow!

A big THANK YOU to our new sponsor, ⁠West Plains Roasters⁠! If you have not stopped by to see them, pop in 7 days a week and get yourself some toast, coffee, or even cake on Fridays!

**As an Amazon affiliate, I do receive a small commission when you purchase any of the products I have linked in this post**

Where to find Mending Families:

Instagram - @mendingfamilieswa

TikTok - @mendingfamilieswa

Facebook - @mendingfamilieswa

YouTube - @mendingfamilies1594

https://www.mendingfamilieswa.com

On today’s episode, Autumn talks about how she went from being a teacher in the school system to being a stay at home mom to now being a published author. Autumn and her husband are also foster parents and we chat briefly about what they have learned during their time as family parents. This is a good one if you are looking for activities to do with your kids this summer! Enjoy!

Autumn is a mom to 3, teacher turned stay-at-home-mom turned author, who loves helping other moms thrive in their best version of themselves. Autumn and  her husband have been happily married for just under 14 years. They are currently loving on a 1 month old foster daughter and enjoy being outside, traveling to new places, and making frequent trips to the library.

You  can find Autumn on Instagram, Facebook and all of her resources can be found on her website, www.bestmomideas.com 

A big THANK YOU to our new sponsor, ⁠West Plains Roasters⁠! If you have not stopped by to see them, pop in 7 days a week and get yourself some toast, coffee, or even cake on Fridays!

Where to find Mending Families:

Instagram - @mendingfamilieswa

TikTok - @mendingfamilieswa

Facebook - @mendingfamilieswa

YouTube - @mendingfamilies1594

https://www.mendingfamilieswa.com

On today’s episode, Melissa answers a listener's question about toddlers and how to handle their tantrums. Melissa helps us reframe how to look at tantrums and meet our kids where they are at while also meeting the need behind the tantrum. Not parenting a toddler? That’s okay! We all have kids in our lives and this episode is for everyone!

A big THANK YOU to our new sponsor, ⁠West Plains Roasters⁠! If you have not stopped by to see them, pop in 7 days a week and get yourself some toast, coffee, or even cake on Fridays!

Where to find Mending Families:

Instagram - @mendingfamilieswa

TikTok - @mendingfamilieswa

Facebook - @mendingfamilieswa

YouTube - @mendingfamilies1594

https://www.mendingfamilieswa.com

On today’s episode, Melissa shares about a recent panic attack that she experienced and how she has learned to get through them on her own. Melissa also believes in authenticity and so she gives the audience a sneak peek into the daily lives in the Pemberton household and how we all can learn from mistakes. Grab your coffee and let's have a chat!

A big THANK YOU to our new sponsor, West Plains Roasters! If you have not stopped by to see them, pop in 7 days a week and get yourself some toast, coffee, or even cake on Fridays!

On today’s episode, Sandra shares about her own experiences with FASD and how she came to the place she is now, which is speaking and advocating for those affected by FASD. We talk about the school systems and ways to support our kids in the educational setting. Finally, Sandra gives us a better understanding of FASD and ways that we, as a community, can do a better job of supporting our kids with invisible disabilities. This is a must-listen for everyone!

Sandra is a mom of 8, 5 through adoption (2 with FASD). She is the Executive Director of Justice For Orphans, host of the Adoption & Foster Care Journey Podcast, and a certified facilitator of the FASCETS neurobehavioral model. She is passionate about serving adoptive & foster families. You can find her on Instagram or on Facebook.

Where to find Mending Families:

Instagram - @mendingfamilieswa

TikTok - @mendingfamilieswa

Facebook - @mendingfamilieswa

YouTube - @mendingfamilies1594

https://www.mendingfamilieswa.com

I had Haley as a teen and we have been through so many ups and downs, but are on the side of healing past hurts, as well as our relationship. It’s been so fun watching her grow and see her follow in my footsteps as a social worker. Haley has her Bachelors in Social Work and works for a local counseling agency as a crisis response counselor. She lives with her dog, Hank, and uses art as an outlet to help her get through the big and hard of life!

On today’s episode, Haley shares her heart about the difficulties of growing up under some tough circumstances, how she felt when she first met Jon (my husband), what it was like when Jon and I started having our own kids, and when she realized she had her own stuff she needed to work through.  This conversation is very real, honest and raw. I think we all can take away something from what Haley shares, and she even has some great advice for those of you parenting kids who have experienced divorce, adoption, foster care, etc.  Enjoy!

 **If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or dial 988