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 Nov 27, 2024
Wednesday Nov 27, 2024
What do holiday dinners, weekend game nights, and summer vacations all have in common?
They're all traditions that bring families closer together. This goes for ALL families. When a child joins a family through adoption, one of the most important ways to build connection and a sense of belonging is through family traditions and rituals.
Whether you’re raising “heartgrown” littles or waiting to become a mama, this episode is for you.
What new traditions can you start this year? What old ones can you give extra life to? Which ones are most important and why?
Email Me: heartgrownmamapodcast@gmail.com
Check out the blog: heartgrownmama.com
Find our community on Facebook: Heartgrown Mama
Check out our digital adoption journal: https://heartgrownmama.com/waiting-well-journal/
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Where are all my mamas at?! So often, I’m talking to mamas who are waiting to adopt, but sometimes I feel that my current moms are left behind. But I’m in the same season as you - doing the mom thing, raising small kids, doing school drop-offs, chaperoning field trips, packing lunches, fighting screen battles, reading bedtime stories and having hard conversations.
What if I told you that good days usually begin with good mornings? So, what do your mornings look like? I’m here to help you make simple tweaks to make your hectic mornings feel a lot more peaceful.
Let’s dive in!
Email Me: heartgrownmamapodcast@gmail.com
Check out the blog: heartgrownmama.com
Find our community on Facebook: Heartgrown Mama
Check out our digital adoption journal: https://heartgrownmama.com/waiting-well-journal/
Wednesday Nov 13, 2024
Wednesday Nov 13, 2024
Hey friends! We are on the fifth and final week of our series called, A Series on Waiting Well.
Over the past few weeks, we have talked about getting our physical bodies, finances, faith and our marriages in tip-top shape as a way to be ready when we get The Call, but also as a way to use this time wisely and wait well.
In this episode, we’re going to dive into all aspects of getting our home ready while we’re waiting to adopt or bring a new child home.
Take a quick look around. How does your home feel? Are you ready to bring home a child, or are there things you feel need to be addressed before you feel ready? How can you wait WELL in this season when it comes to your home?
To be clear, this is not a checklist to get you home study approved. This is more like nesting or “preparing the field” as you prepare your life for a new family member.
In what ways are you preparing your home for a child? Share with me!
Email Me: heartgrownmamapodcast@gmail.com
Check out the blog: heartgrownmama.com
Find our community on Facebook: Heartgrown Mama
Check out our digital adoption journal: https://heartgrownmama.com/waiting-well-journal/
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
Hey friends! We are on the FOURTH week of a new series called, A Series on Waiting Well.
Over the past few weeks, we have talked about different aspects of our physical bodies, finances and our marriages.
When we are expecting a child by adoption, I like to call it being pregnant without a due date. This season of waiting can be a time of confusion, frustration and nothingness…OR it can be a time of renewal and growth.
I’ve said it and I’ll say it again: I’m a firm believer in using this time wisely. How can we better every area of our lives while we wait? Because the waiting season is inevitable. What we DO with this time matters. And I believe we can intentionally wait WELL.
In this episode, we’re going to dive into all aspects of growing our faith while we’re awaiting an adoption, from diving into the Word, to praying with your spouse, to joining a small group, to the art of being still and quiet.
Go back and listen to Episode 5 for more about journaling and quiet time. And don't forget about our digital adoption journal created JUST for mamas waiting to adopt!
Email Me: heartgrownmamapodcast@gmail.com
Check out the blog: heartgrownmama.com
Find our community on Facebook: Heartgrown Mama
Check out our digital adoption journal: https://heartgrownmama.com/waiting-well-journal/
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Hey friends! In this episode, which is part of our Series on Waiting Well, we dive into budgeting, finding ways to save, creating an emergency fund, creative ways to supplement your current income, and of course, praying about all of it!
I hope this inspires you and allows you more financial freedom while you raise your babies or await your child through adoption.
Disclaimer: In light of being totally transparent, I forgot to mention a few streaming apps we use! We now use Prime TV and Apple TV, as well as the others I mentioned. Also, we gave up our housekeeper (among other things) during our season of waiting and cutting expenses, but we have since re-hired a wonderful woman who helps clean our home once a month. :)
Email Me: heartgrownmamapodcast@gmail.com
Check out the blog: heartgrownmama.com – and don’t forget about the fundraising freebie!
Find our community on Facebook: Heartgrown Mama
Check out our digital adoption journal: https://heartgrownmama.com/waiting-well-journal/
Wednesday Oct 23, 2024
Wednesday Oct 23, 2024
Before you welcome a child, whether it be your first or third, having your marriage in a strong place sets the tone for a healthy home. Whether you’ve been married 5 or 15 years, marriage takes work!
In this episode, I talk about ways you can better connect with your spouse, from continuing to prioritize date night (or date day!), to attending marriage retreats, to doing something your spouse enjoys, to planning a trip together. They key is connectedness and staying fully invested in one another, as that is God's design for marriage.
“What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Matthew 19:4-6
Marriage Conference: Get $100 OFF using group name: HEARTGROWNMAMA
For Women Only by: Shaunti Feldhahn
Table Topics Card Game for Couples
Email Me: heartgrownmamapodcast@gmail.com
Check out the blog: heartgrownmama.com
Find our community on Facebook: Heartgrown Mama
Check out our digital adoption journal: https://heartgrownmama.com/waiting-well-journal/
Wednesday Oct 16, 2024
Wednesday Oct 16, 2024
Hey friends! We are starting a BRAND NEW series today called A Series on Waiting Well. Over the next few weeks, we will dive into different aspects of our body, faith-walk, finances and home.
I’m a firm believer in using this time wisely. How can we improve every area of our lives while we wait? Because the waiting part…that’s inevitable. What we do with this time matters. And I believe we can intentionally wait WELL!
On the very first episode of our new series, I want to talk about how we can bring our focus to our physical bodies as we prepare to grow our families. Our body is a temple. We’ve only been given this one body and we’re supposed to honor the lord with it.
Let’s dive in and discuss feeding our body more whole (unprocessed) foods, getting as much gentle movement as possible, prioritizing sleep, and getting checked out by a professional when needed. Let’s front-load our body with the good stuff so when life changes, we will be better equipped to handle what comes our way!
Email Me: heartgrownmamapodcast@gmail.com
Check out the blog: heartgrownmama.com
Find our community on Facebook: Heartgrown Mama
Check out our digital adoption journal: https://heartgrownmama.com/waiting-well-journal/
Wednesday Oct 09, 2024
Wednesday Oct 09, 2024
Ever feel like self-care is selfish and unnecessary? Ever say something like, “Oh, I’d love to do that but I just don’t have time!”
Today I want to challenge you to shift your mindset. What if self-care was more like a vitamin, taken to benefit your overall health? What if I said taking care of yourself, both physically and emotionally, would help you pour into others in a more impactful way?
Whether you’re a mom or not, it’s a great time to look at how you’re spending your days and prioritizing the hours you’ve been given. We make time for what’s important. I challenge you to track a week in your life and see where more margin might be created for you to fill your cup. I also share ideas for how to incorporate this into your already busy lives!
Hope this episode inspires you, friends.
Email Me: heartgrownmamapodcast@gmail.com
Check out the blog: heartgrownmama.com
Find our community on Facebook: Heartgrown Mama
Check out our digital adoption journal: https://heartgrownmama.com/waiting-well-journal/
Wednesday Oct 02, 2024
Wednesday Oct 02, 2024
In this heartfelt (and sometimes teary-eyed) episode, I talk about losing my daddy just a few months ago, followed by the loss of my son’s biological grandfather. Two wonderful grandfathers: one by biology and the other by adoption. Two significant losses for our family in such a short time span.
I discuss how we told the kids, how we are continuing to navigate things as they start to sink in, and how we aren’t shy about crying around here when we need to.
Our children’s birth families are the keepers of memories, traditions, genetic predispositions, and family lineage, so losing such an important person in your child’s story is heartbreaking. The heaviness of this loss is not lost on my husband and me, but our kids are too young to understand it. It’s our job to gather and save everything we can, so that when we do lose these loved ones, we still have the stories and information to share.
One legacy my daddy leaves behind is to love your people deeply and make it a priority to spend time with them while they’re here. Invite them over and feed them! I miss his hospitality, his hugs and his generosity so much. We love you, Boompa!
One legacy my son’s biological grandfather leaves behind is….my son. I wouldn’t be a mama without his marriage, child and grandchild. What a blessing he was to know for such a short time, and what a gift it is to be part of his family!
Here are the books I mentioned:
The Memory Box: A Book about Grief by Joanna Rowland
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
When Someone You Love Has Died by Stephanie Seidler
You’ll Find Me by Amanda Rawson Hill
Email Me: heartgrownmamapodcast@gmail.com
Check out the blog: heartgrownmama.com
Find our community on Facebook: Heartgrown Mama
Check out our digital adoption journal: https://heartgrownmama.com/waiting-well-journal/
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
Welcome back, everyone! In this episode, I’m talking about the BEST children’s adoption-related books to stock your nursery while you wait, add to your registry, buy for your child, or gift a friend!
I go through a summary of each book, the look of the cover, the content, and how “giftable” each one is.
I’ll also go over a few of the benefits of reading to your child, especially as it relates to forming new neural pathways and increasing the parent-child bond.
Grab my list below for an easy book shopping journey:
Wish by Matthew Cordell
I’ve Loved You Since Forever by Hoda Kotb
I Wished For You by Marianne Richmond
You’re Here for a Reason by Nancy Tillman
God Found Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Tell Me Again about the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis
The Story of My Open Adoption by Leah Campbell
A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza
Yes, I’m Adopted by Sharlie Zinniger
My Family Trees by Lindsay Baker
The Adoption Tree by Kimberly James
Adoption is Both by Elena S. Hall
Did I leave any great ones out? Send me an email and tell me your faves!
Email Me: heartgrownmamapodcast@gmail.com
Check out the blog: heartgrownmama.com
Find our community on Facebook: Heartgrown Mama
Check out our digital adoption journal: https://heartgrownmama.com/waiting-well-journal/