Adoptive Mom Life | Open Adoption, Adoptive Parenting, Birth Family, Christian Community, Biblical Encouragement
Do you struggle to find the right words to share your adopted child’s stories with them? Do you pray that your child will be able to maintain a strong relationship with their birth families? Do you worry about your child’s mental health or behavioral diagnoses? Ever feel like you’re never enough? Do you find yourself parenting from a place of fear?
I am so glad God led you here! This podcast will help you raise connected and self-aware kids, navigate their stories with love and intention, cultivate healthy, open relationships with their birth families, and guide you through seasons of mental health or trauma-related challenges, all while supporting your own needs as a mama.
Hey, I’m Carly. A believer, work-at-home-mom, wife, and adoptive mom to two amazing kids.
After a long journey with infertility, we felt the Lord calling us to adopt our children. I realized that I didn’t really know how to parent kids from hard beginnings, navigate open relationships with birth families, or handle behavioral or mental health challenges that may come our way. Not only was there not a manual for raising children, there certainly wasn’t a manual for raising adopted children. I felt alone.
Once I let go of my own plans and fully embraced God’s plans for our family, I learned to lean into Him more than myself. I learned how to communicate in a healthy way with our birth families, and I figured out ways to parent my kids that worked for their unique needs. I also learned that I need to unapologetically fill my cup so I can better pour into my kids, especially when things get tough.
I found my voice as an adoptive mom and found other adoptive moms to link arms with. I created a sounding board and support system for myself and other adoptive moms through this podcast, where I talk candidly about parenting adopted kids, and bring in experts in areas where we need the most help. I pray these honest conversations bless you as much as they’ve blessed me!
If you’re ready to...
Be the best mom you can be to your children,
Gain skills in parenting their unique needs,
Support your child’s identity and their sense of belonging in your family,
Help share their stories in an age-appropriate and supportive way,
Navigate birth family relationships for the long haul,
Fill your cup so you can be a joyful, present mom,
And trust God with the outcome of your child’s life - this podcast is for you!
Top off that iced coffee and grab a comfy seat - it’s time to dive in.
Listen on:
Episodes
Wednesday Oct 08, 2025
Wednesday Oct 08, 2025
How do you know if your adopted child’s behavior is normal… or rooted in trauma? This is a question I hear from adoptive moms all the time!
In this episode, I chat with Jeanette Yoffe — adoptee, therapist, author, speaker, and founder of Celia Center and Yoffe Therapy — about how to parent with connection and compassion.
We cover:
How to spot when behaviors are trauma-related
Simple tools and interventions to help kids process their complex stories
The PACE model for attachment-focused parenting
Why minimizing struggles amplifies them — and how connection diffuses them
Tune in for Part I today, and don’t miss Part II next week as we continue this essential conversation.
Ways to reach Jeanette:
Main website: www.JeanetteYoffe.com YouTube Channel: Jeanette-icallySpeaking
The Traumatized & At-Risk Youth Toolbox Book
Psychology Today: Inner Life of Foster Care
Contact - > Carly@adoptivemomlife.com
Podcast -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlifepodcast
Private FB Group -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlife
Become an Insider - > AMLInsider
Next Steps:
Step 1: Join the private community with other adoptive moms looking for support and camaraderie at Adoptive Mom Life.
Step 2: Sign up for the monthly Adoptive Mom Life Newsletter here.
Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
Have you ever caught yourself running on autopilot—snapping at your family, juggling endless tasks, and realizing you’re stuck in survival mode? As moms of adopted children, those heavy, chaotic weeks can leave us feeling drained and defeated.
In this episode, I share a simple reset you can use anytime, anywhere, to calm your mind, steady your heart, and step back into presence with your kids. It’s practical, faith-filled, and designed to remind you that you don’t have to stay stuck in survival mode—you can move forward with peace, one small step at a time.
And, I have some exciting news to share next week! Make sure you’re on the email list and in the Facebook group so you can be the first to know. Hint: it’s designed just for you as adoptive moms.
Contact - > Carly@adoptivemomlife.com
Podcast -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlifepodcast
Private FB Group -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlife
Become an Insider - > AMLInsider
Next Steps:
Step 1: Join the private community with other adoptive moms looking for support and camaraderie at Adoptive Mom Life.
Step 2: Sign up for the monthly Adoptive Mom Life Newsletter here.
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Are you drowning in screen time struggles with your kids?
After a long, hot summer where screens slowly shifted from an ‘extra’ to the default, I knew it was time to try something different. I came across a simple reward system from a first grade teacher, and it’s been a game-changer for our family.
As moms, we know too much screen time can impact our children’s brains, development, and attention spans. And as adoptive moms, we often feel an added responsibility to guide our kids toward becoming confident, balanced, and well-rounded little humans.
While not all screen time is bad—and not every reward system will fit every family—I hope this episode encourages you to take an honest look at the role screens play in your home. If something feels ‘off,’ I pray that you feel equipped and empowered to make small changes that bring more balance to your family.
Articles referenced from PubMed here and here.
Contact - > Carly@adoptivemomlife.com
Podcast -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlifepodcast
Private FB Group -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlife
Become an Insider - > AMLInsider
Next Steps:
Step 1: Join the private community with other adoptive moms looking for support and camaraderie at Adoptive Mom Life.
Step 2: Sign up for the monthly Adoptive Mom Life Newsletter here.
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Ever feel like you’re stuck in survival mode as an adoptive mom? In the second half of this two-part episode, I’m joined by Keli Tondre, adoptive mom, trauma therapist, and founder of Tondre Therapeutics.
Keli shares both her personal adoption journey and her professional expertise to help us understand trauma, regulate our nervous systems, and find hope in the hard places.
We talk about:
Why adoption always carries trauma (even in the best situations)
What Polyvagal Theory + Internal Family Systems mean for adoptive parent
Simple ways to know when you are dysregulated—and how to reset
The importance of co-regulation in parenting our kids
Keli also shares her program, the Adoptive and Foster Parent Trauma Transformation, which offers online teaching, group coaching, and community for parents who want to move from surviving to thriving.
Resources Mentioned:
No Bad Parts by Dr. Richard Schwartz
Altogether You by Jenna Riemersma
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog by Bruce D Perry
How We Feel app
Be sure to go back and listen to PART I of this eye-opening conversation.
Connect with Keli:
tondretherapeutics.com
To book a call: tondretherapeutics.com/call
To view masterclass: tondretherapeutics.com/webinar
**Use referral code CARLYGRACE for a program BONUS!
Contact - > Carly@adoptivemomlife.com
Podcast -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlifepodcast
Private FB Group -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlife
Become an Insider - > AMLInsider
Next Steps:
Step 1: Join the private community with other adoptive moms looking for support and camaraderie at Adoptive Mom Life.
Step 2: Sign up for the monthly Adoptive Mom Life Newsletter here.
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Ever feel like you’re stuck in survival mode as an adoptive mom? In this episode, I’m joined by Keli Tondre, adoptive mom, trauma therapist, and founder of Tondre Therapeutics.
Keli shares both her personal adoption journey and her professional expertise to help us understand trauma, regulate our nervous systems, and find hope in the hard places.
We talk about:
Why adoption always carries trauma (even in the best situations)
What Polyvagal Theory + Internal Family Systems mean for adoptive parent
Simple ways to know when you are dysregulated—and how to reset
The importance of co-regulation in parenting our kids
Keli also shares her program, the Adoptive and Foster Parent Trauma Transformation, which offers online teaching, group coaching, and community for parents who want to move from surviving to thriving.
Resources Mentioned:
No Bad Parts by Dr. Richard Schwartz
Altogether You by Jenna Riemersma
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog by Bruce D Perry
How We Feel app
Be sure to tune in next week for PART 2 of this eye-opening conversation.
Connect with Keli:
tondretherapeutics.com
To book a call: tondretherapeutics.com/call
To view masterclass: tondretherapeutics.com/webinar
**Use referral code CARLYGRACE for a program BONUS!
Contact - > Carly@adoptivemomlife.com
Podcast -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlifepodcast
Private FB Group -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlife
Become an Insider - > AMLInsider
Next Steps:
Step 1: Join the private community with other adoptive moms looking for support and camaraderie at Adoptive Mom Life.
Step 2: Sign up for the monthly Adoptive Mom Life Newsletter here.
Friday Aug 29, 2025
Friday Aug 29, 2025
“I just want to know that my child is going to be okay.”
If you’ve ever whispered those words, you’re not alone. As adoptive moms, our deepest desire is for our children to feel fully known, fully loved, secure in their identity, and at peace with their story. But sometimes, fear of the future sneaks in and quietly begins shaping the way we parent.
In this episode, we’re unpacking:
Why fear-based parenting shows up so often for adoptive moms
How fears about birth family history, not being “enough,” or our child feeling different can shift how we show up
The impact this has on our kids (and on us!)
A better way forward—parenting from presence, connection, and trust in God
What if instead of trying to control outcomes, we could meet our child right where they are today? What if we could release the fear and surrender their future to the God who already chose us to be their parent?
Let's keep this conversation going! If this episode resonates with you, book your coaching call with me today.
FREE coaching call application -> bit.ly/AMLcoaching (**limited time only**)
Contact - > Carly@adoptivemomlife.com
Podcast -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlifepodcast
Private FB Group -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlife
Become an Insider - > AMLInsider
Saturday Aug 16, 2025
Saturday Aug 16, 2025
It’s that time of year again….back to school!
Back-to-school season can feel like a whirlwind — new routines, new teachers, new anxieties… and that’s just for us moms! ;) For our adopted kids, this time of year can bring extra layers of worry, big feelings, and tricky transitions that other families might not experience.
But here’s the good news — we don’t have to just survive this season, we can actually create a smoother, more peaceful start to the school year, which creates a more peaceful home year-round.
So today, I’m sharing my best tips for helping your child feel prepared, starting them on the right foot each morning, partnering with their teachers, and keeping the peace at home when the school day is done.
Grab your coffee, friend, and let’s jump in.
FREE coaching call application -> bit.ly/AMLcoaching (**limited time only**)
Contact - > Carly@adoptivemomlife.com
Podcast -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlifepodcast
Private FB Group -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlife
Become an Insider - > AMLInsider
Next Steps:
Step 1: Join the private community with other adoptive moms looking for support and camaraderie at Adoptive Mom Life.
Step 2: Sign up for the monthly Adoptive Mom Life Newsletter here.
Step 3: Get more personalized support with a Coffee & Connection Coaching Call. A 60-minute clarity call with me, Carly, to uncover your greatest pain points and get to the next level in your adoptive parenting journey. Fill out the intake form here: bit.ly/AMLcoaching
Wednesday Aug 06, 2025
Wednesday Aug 06, 2025
On today's episode, we're reflecting back on summertime with our adopted kids. How did it feel? Was it relaxing, jam-packed, or slow and steady? Did you intentionally spend time connecting as a family?
If you're wrapping up summer and have just a week or two left, how can you spend it best? What kind of lasting memories do you want to leave your kids with? Let's brainstorm together in this episode and come up with a few small but impactful ways to go out with a bang.
FREE coaching call application -> bit.ly/AMLcoaching (**limited time only**)
Contact - > adoptivemomlife@gmail.com
Podcast -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlifepodcast
Private FB Group -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlife
Become an Insider - > AMLInsider
Next Steps:
Step 1: Join the private community with other adoptive moms looking for support and camaraderie at Adoptive Mom Life.
Step 2: Sign up for the monthly Adoptive Mom Life Newsletter here.
Step 3: Get more personalized support with a Coffee & Connection Coaching Call. A 60-minute clarity call with me, Carly, to uncover your greatest pain points and get to the next level in your adoptive parenting journey. Fill out the intake form here: bit.ly/AMLcoaching
Wednesday Jul 30, 2025
Wednesday Jul 30, 2025
Summer is a great time for snuggling up and watching family movies together. There are SO many family-friendly movies that have subtle adoption and foster themes, while others are clearly adoption-centered.
Some are heartwarming and contain deep and valuable insight about love, belonging and overcoming hardships, while others miss the mark or cause more confusion than clarity.
On today’s episode, we’re talking about a handful of family-friendly movies with foster and adoption themes AND potential triggers that I want you moms to be in-the-know about as you consider watching them with your kids.
**We’re celebrating the podcast’s ONE YEAR anniversary with a giveaway! Simply leave us a review, take a screenshot and email me the screenshot to get your entry! You could be the winner of a $25 Amazon gift card to buy or rent your own movie for your next family movie night!** Drawing ends August 6, 2025.
FREE coaching call application -> bit.ly/AMLcoaching (**limited time only**)
Contact - > adoptivemomlife@gmail.com
Podcast -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlifepodcast
Private FB Group -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlife
Become an Insider - > AMLInsider
Next Steps:
Step 1: Join the private community with other adoptive moms looking for support and camaraderie at Adoptive Mom Life.
Step 2: Sign up for the monthly Adoptive Mom Life Newsletter here.
Step 3: Get more personalized support with a Coffee & Connection Coaching Call. A 60-minute clarity call with me, Carly, to uncover your greatest pain points and get to the next level in your adoptive parenting journey. Fill out the intake form here: bit.ly/AMLcoaching
Friday Jul 25, 2025
Friday Jul 25, 2025
Being in community with one another is ALL over the bible. Friends, I don’t think living alongside other believers is a bonus, I think it’s part of God’s bigger picture for our lives -- for being the moms He has called us to be when He assigned us these beautiful humans to care for, shepherd and love.
If fear of all the unknowns of parenting adopted kids has held you back for too long, let me come alongside you. Let me hold space for you. Let me cheer you on and encourage you with faith-based strategies.
Click the link below to fill out an application for a FREE 60-minute coaching session. For a short time only, I have space for FIVE mamas. Let’s have coffee and connection time, adoptive mom to adoptive mom.
I’ll see you on the other side!
FREE coaching call application -> bit.ly/AMLcoaching (**limited time only**)
Contact - > adoptivemomlife@gmail.com
Podcast -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlifepodcast
Private FB Group -＞ bit.ly/adoptivemomlife
Become an Insider - > AMLInsider
Next Steps:
Step 1: Join the private community with other adoptive moms looking for support and camaraderie at Adoptive Mom Life.
Step 2: Sign up for the monthly Adoptive Mom Life Newsletter here.
Step 3: Get more personalized support with a Coffee & Connection Coaching Call. A 60-minute clarity call with me, Carly, to uncover your greatest pain points and get to the next level in your adoptive parenting journey. bit.ly/AMLcoaching