I know I have experienced this and wish I knew what to do when this happened. Foster parenting can be such an emotional journey and having a good relationship with your childs caseworker absolutely makes it easier.

Today I will be sharing tips with you so you can begin the relationship in the right way and plan for success. We will also discuss what to do when you have tried everything and it's not working. 

I also have an announcement at the end of the episode today that I am so excited to share with you. 

If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review on apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/what-to-expect-while-fostering-and-adopting-adopting/id1701306333

Join our Facebook community of like-minded mamas at:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen

If you are a new foster or adoptive parent, you definitely don't want to miss this episode.  I will be sharing my top 5 tips that you can implement immediately to help you have a less stressful and more emotionally connected holiday season.

As a previous foster parent of 10 years and taking in 77 foster children, we had a lot of holiday events and experiences to practice what worked and what didn't work. I am skipping over all the things that didn't work and sharing the top things that did work. 

We will be discussing solutions for all ages and developmental milestones. 

I would love to know if you implemented any of these tips and if so, which worked best for your family and children. 

If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review on the app that you found me on. Then, I would love for you to join our Facebook community of likeminded mamas at: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen

I am so thankful you found me and can't wait to hear about your journey.

Christine Marie

She was 3 when she moved to our home as a foster child. When she became available for adoption, over 100 families applied to adopt her. Thankfully we were chosen as her forever family and she became our daughter when she was 5. She was the perfect child so I never imagined we would face the challenges that we did. As I share the journey with you today, I hope you find hope and encouragement in the journey. 

If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review and then join our Facebook community of like-minded mamas at:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen

XO,

Christine Marie

I remember the one thing that worried me the most as a foster parent and that was the thought of being accused of abuse or neglect. Once it happened, it sent my mind spinning because I didn't know what to do. I felt overwhelmed with emotions and had no one to ask because my certifier suddenly couldn't discuss anything with me. 

Would I be found guilty of abuse? Would this go on my record? Would I be able to adopt? Do I need to hire an attorney?

I certainly didn't have anyone to help me navigate these complicated questions so I am thankful we get to dig into this today.

I will be sharing what happens when you have an allegation, how long the investigation takes and what does Founded, unfounded and unable to determine actually mean.

If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review and then join our Facebook community of like-minded mamas at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen

I got the call asking me to take him in as a foster care placement when he was 6. I had no idea the level of care that he would require but I was willing to try. The caseworker warned me that this would be a challenging case because of his level of abuse and neglect but I didn't know what I didn't know. She told me that he had non-verbal autism (ASD), was labeled as feral and was extremely traumatized. 

When I picked him up from a Mcdonalds parking lot, we never imagined the growth and transformation that would happen within a period of 6 years. 

This is our story. 

If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review on the app that you found me on. Then, I would love for you to join our Facebook community of likeminded mamas at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen

I am so thankful you found me and can't wait to hear about your journey.

Christine Marie

It's the biggest first decision that every potential foster and adoptive parent makes, and it sets the trajectory for the beginning of your journey. It absolutely matters.

Have you ever wondered if there was a right number of kiddos you should take in as a first-time foster parent? Have you wondered what age range to choose, or should you be open to all ages? Is there a right number and if so, how do I know? 

Maybe you're already a foster parent and haven't had a child placed with you that is on the path towards adoption. Do you take in more children? How do you know when the right time is to add another child?

It can be an overwhelming decision when you aren't sure who to ask. If you're anything like I was, you're ready and eager to begin the journey of foster care and adoption.

If you have had or have these questions, this episode is perfect for you. We will talk about statistics with each age group, time requirements for first time foster parents and appointments you want to set up for your new foster child. 

If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review on the app that you found me on. Then, I would love for you to join our Facebook community of likeminded mamas at:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen

I am so thankful you found me and can't wait to hear about your journey.

Christine Marie

Do you have a vision of the perfect child you wanted to adopt? Are you a foster parent or in waiting to adopt a child? 

Have you imagined what your foster care journey would be like or maybe you're in the middle of it right now?

If any of this sounds like you, this episode is for you. 

I remember when I dreamt of bringing home our forever daughter. I imagined what she would look like, be like and who she would become. I thought my love would be enough to erase all of the hard things she had gone through. When it wasn't, it sent me into a tailspin. 

There's a better way through and I am so excited for you to begin to set a vision. No matter where you are in your journey, you can hit the pause button and create vision with God.

Are you ready to begin living intentionally and with purpose?

Go grab your cup of coffee and let's get started.

If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review and then join our Facebook community at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen

CANS stands for the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths assessment. Understanding CANS will help you to best serve the child or teen placed in your home as a foster placement. It will also help you know the purpose behind the assessment being done. I have carefully marked this episode as explicit because it discusses sensitive topics that may not be suitable for young ears to listen to. 

If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review and then join our Facebook community of like-minded mamas at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen

You can find more information on CANS at: The Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) – Praed Foundation

Todays episode is vulnerable. I’m sharing my own mental health diagnosis’ with you and giving you tools to help thrive as a foster parent. It’s filled with so many lessons that I learned in the 10 years we spent as foster parents. Learning these lessons was absolutely not easy and I pray that by sharing them with you, it will make your journey so much easier. If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review and then join our Facebook community of like minded mamas at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen   You can also find the Spiritual Gifts test I shared on todays episode at: https://spiritualgiftstest.com/ Blessings, Christine

Learning these lessons was absolutely not easy and I pray that by sharing them with you, it will make your journey so much easier. ❤️ If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to leave me a review and then join our Facebook community of like minded mamas at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen 

Blessings, Christine