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 Dec 25, 2024
Wednesday Dec 25, 2024
Merry Christmas! This episode just so happens to be posted on Christmas Day!
For all of you mamas who are dealing with emotions on yet another year without a child in the home, I want to encourage you with some scripture for such a time as this.
I pray this encourages you to seek God’s perfect peace and His plan over your own when it comes to growing your family through adoption.
Praying for 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 Dec 18, 2024
Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
It can feel overwhelming thinking about your first meeting with a birth mother, birth father, or birth family. You want to put your best foot forward, but it feels like a fragile situation — one where emotions on both sides are sky-high.
In this episode, my husband and I have a candid conversation about what it’s like to meet a birth family and what we’ve learned from these interactions as adoptive parents.
We’d love to answer YOUR questions, so email them or post them in our Facebook community.
I hope this episode teaches, inspires, or blesses you in some 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 Dec 11, 2024
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Ever feel like a fraud or imposter as a mama or mama-to-be? I know I have.
First of all, what is imposter syndrome? By definition, it’s the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills.
Are you waiting to adopt a child and feel like a fraud evening thinking of yourself as a mom? Or are you holding your child in your arms and feel the sting of guilt or grief? Do you walk into a baby or children’s store to buy something and feel like everyone’s staring at you wondering, “Why is she here?” Ever feel like you’re not worthy of the children God has placed in your home?
Friend, this is a very real thing. I want to share a few reasons why you might feel like an imposter and different ways to combat this and step into your role as a mother.
Please leave me a review in Apple Podcasts! This will ensure other adoptive mamas will find my podcast and be served by the content. <3 I read each and every review!
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 Dec 04, 2024
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
In today’s podcast, we’re discussing simplifying holidays with little kids, especially if your family was made possible by adoption.
Everything we talk about applies to ALL families with little kids (probably aged 10 and under), but we’re looking at this through the lens of adoption.
This may or may not look different for your family depending on your child’s needs, but I think it’s safe to say all children have a need for simplicity and structure.
When it comes to holidays, specifically Christmastime, what does your family love to do? What works well? What traditions do you hold to? What lights your children up inside? Are there areas where you need to pivot? Let’s dive into today’s topic and talk about ways to simplify the holidays with little kids in the home. The goal here is to make moms, dads and kids feel loved and not overstressed this holiday season.
What are some ways you’re simplifying the holidays this year?
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 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/