This episode features Annie discussing the deeply sensitive and challenging topic of sexual abuse within her family. She shares her personal experience of discovering the abuse between her children, emphasizing the complexity and hidden nature of such situations. Annie reflects on the signs she missed, the fear and confusion her daughter faced, and the difficult decisions she had to make to protect her daughter's healing and safety.

Support the show

In this heartfelt and candid clip, Annie shares her struggles and insights as a parent raising children who have experienced severe trauma. She discusses the challenges of balancing accountability and compassion, acknowledging the difficulty in holding children accountable when their brain function may not allow them to fully control their actions. Annie reflects on the societal expectations placed on her children, who appear "fine" externally but require significant support to manage their behavior.

Support the show

Annie shares her personal journey of navigating faith and mental illness, highlighting the challenges faced by families who don't fit the traditional mold of church communities. She reflects on her deep connection to the church, which was once her entire community, and the subsequent isolation she felt when her family's struggles with mental illness and trauma were not understood or supported. Annie candidly discusses the pain of losing friends and community support, the impact on her marriage, and her feelings of anger and disappointment towards people who failed to see her struggles.

Support the show

Annie shares her personal journey of navigating PTSD and advocating for her children's mental health needs. She reflects on the challenges faced with her son during middle school and the current struggles with her daughter, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between advocating for necessary supports and excusing behaviors. Annie candidly discusses the emotional toll of revisiting past traumas and the fear of repeating difficult experiences. 

Support the show

Annie discusses the potential causes of her son's behavior, including prenatal drug exposure, early childhood trauma, and the chaotic environment he experienced in foster care. She highlights the difficulties in finding effective psychiatric medications for her son, as many caused severe side effects. She also addresses the impact of marijuana on his mental health, noting its detrimental effects despite its perceived mildness. 

Support the show

This episode features Annie, who shares her struggles as a parent dealing with a challenging situation involving her son. She describes the difficult transition from protecting her child to protecting others from him, highlighting the emotional turmoil and societal judgment she faces. Annie recounts specific incidents, including accusations against her son and her efforts to minimize harm to others, even when it meant making tough decisions that went against her values. 

Support the show

Annie discusses the complexities of her relationship with her children's birth mother, highlighting the challenges and dynamics of co-parenting in an adoption context. She shares experiences of mediation, the emotional journey of fostering and adopting, and the evolving relationship with their birth mother.

Support the show

Annie shares her complex feelings about adoption and highlights the challenges and systemic failures she encountered. She discusses the lack of support from the adoption system, particularly in accessing necessary resources for children with special needs. Annie emphasizes the difficulties in navigating a system that often requires situations to reach a crisis point before help is available. Despite her love for fostering and open adoption, she criticizes the current system for not being designed for success.

Support the show

Do I have regret? Wish I would have done things differently? Annie shares her deeply personal and challenging experiences as a parent navigating a tumultuous family life. She describes the overwhelming stress of managing multiple responsibilities, including her work and family, while dealing with her children's mental health issues. Annie recounts a particularly difficult night that highlighted the ongoing struggles within her family. 

Support the show

The clip features a heartfelt and challenging narrative from Annie, who shares the journey of her son approaching adulthood amidst significant behavioral and mental health challenges. Annie discusses the complexities of her son's past actions, including inappropriate behavior and the impact on their family. She reflects on the struggle to find proactive solutions and the emotional toll of feeling powerless as her son becomes an adult.

Support the show