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 Sep 18, 2024
Wednesday Sep 18, 2024
Do you struggle with feelings of sadness after you’ve adopted your long-awaited, very prayed-for child?
Or maybe you feel grief or guilt that won’t let up. Mamas, I’m here to tell you that you’re normal and it’s okay to feel sad post-adoption.
In this episode, I’ll share a few examples as to WHY you might be sad, from reality and expectations not aligning, to sleep deprivation, to PADS, to trauma, to analysis paralysis of being thrust into NEW motherhood (with a twist).
**I am not a medical professional, but want to tell anyone out there: if you are struggling with depression that hasn’t improved, or you fear hurting yourself or your child, please seek help immediately. This podcast is intended for intermittent grief or sadness that comes with a big life change. Clinical depression should be treated by a professional**
If you're seeking an intimate group of like-minded women to talk about all things adoption, check out my private Facebook group: Heartgrown Mamas: Thriving in the Wait. Answer a few simple questions and you’re good to go.
See you next week, 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 Sep 11, 2024
Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
In this episode, we discuss positive adoption language – in other words, are you choosing your phrases or terms wisely when speaking about your child or child’s birth family? Maybe YOU are, but what about your inner circle?
We’ll discuss common phrase mistakes and what to say INSTEAD. We will even talk about really sweet things people say that actually aren’t true or helpful!
In Proverbs 31:26, the Bible says, “When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.” Let that verse be a guide for this episode as we lovingly and gently teach by words or by example so we don’t inadvertently hurt the people we love.
Proverbs 15:28 says, “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” When we’re in relationship with a child’s birth mother, father or extended family, it is imperative that we choose words that lift up or value versus words that are insensitive or minimize the situation. This is not just a “politically correct” way of thinking, but rather a loving and respectful gesture to your child’s first family, and a step in the right direction for minimizing the negative talk or stigmas attached to adoption.
Thanks for listening today, friends! I hope this was helpful!
Some verbiage we discussed on today's show:
Put up or give up for adoption, adopt out ---> make an adoption plan, choose adoption, place a child for adoption
Real child ---> biological child, child
Real parent ---> biological parent, birth parent
Adoptive mom/dad –--> mom, dad
Own child or one of my own ---> child, biological child
To keep her child or changed her mind ---> she decided to parent her child
IS adopted --- WAS adopted
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/
In On It by Elisabeth O’Toole – great book to gift family/friends
Wednesday Sep 04, 2024
Wednesday Sep 04, 2024
Calling all moms with sensitive or easily overwhelmed kids!
Is your child highly sensitive, have anxiety, ADHD, a sensory processing disorder, or just seem to have a hard time transitioning to the home environment after school? We had a hard time with this, too.
Between the uncertainty as to what we were *supposed* to be doing, to our constant meltdowns from being over-tired and over-stimulated, we found a few simple systems we could implement to make the transition go much more smoothly.
And the best part is, it doesn’t cost a thing!
Tune in to today’s episode for 6 easy ways you can make coming home a little less overwhelming and a lot more restful and supportive. And that goes for you too, mama!
What would you add to this list? Email 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/
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Waiting to grow your family through adoption can be lengthy, hard, or just downright frustrating some days. In today’s podcast, I want to share some mindfulness and gratitude practices, and even some physical habits you can implement today to make this wait just a little more bearable.
From gratitude journaling, to body scans, to nature walks, to finding your tribe – we’ve got a whole lot to cover! So, buckle up and get ready to take some notes!
Don’t forget, we have the perfect journal for such a time as this. It’s called the Waiting Well journal. I poured my whole heart into this after I adopted my first child. What I needed during my season of waiting didn’t exist….so I created it. It’s a digital journal you can use on a tablet or print out and put pen to paper (my favorite method!).
Whatever you do, use this time wisely because it’s a time for massive growth and transformation, mama! You’ve got this. I see you and I’m here for you.
Email Me: heartgrownmamapodcast@gmail.com
Check out the blog: heartgrownmama.com
Find our community on Facebook: Heartgrown Mama
Grab the Waiting Well digital journal: https://heartgrownmama.com/waiting-well-journal/
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
Hey friends! This episode was a fun one to record. It takes me back to the excitement (and even uncertainty!) I felt when we had completed the mountain of paperwork, finished the home study and were officially a “waiting family.”
It was hard not to go crazy and buy a lot of baby items, or allow loved ones to throw us a baby shower, but we held off, and instead got only the essentials so we could be ready-ish when we got The Call.
In hindsight, I can see what items were pretty important from the get-go. This list, while certainly not comprehensive, is a way to let other mamas-in-waiting sift through the chaos and just get the few things you need for the first week or two. The rest can usually wait.
Pop in those earbuds and listen in for the 9 items you can bravely purchase while you wait to adopt an infant.
Here are a few links for easy shopping:
Please note, by clicking the links below, I may earn a small commission, which will help support the continuation of this podcast!
Carseat - this is the one we loved for both of our babies
Portable Crib/Bassinet
Sound Machine - truly the bees knees!
Avent Bottles
Glow in the Dark Pacifiers - you'll thank me later ;)
Solly Wrap - the exact one I have. Looooooove.
I’d love to hear from you! What would you add to this list? Did this help any waiting mamas out there feel a bit less overwhelmed?
Fun fact: Did you know that Amazon has a baby registry program now? Yep! It’s free, you get an extended return period, they have EVERYTHING (because, well, it’s Amazon), and you can do it from home in your jammies.
Email Me: heartgrownmamapodcast@gmail.com
Check out the blog: heartgrownmama.com
Find our community on Facebook: Heartgrown Mama
Tuesday Aug 13, 2024
Tuesday Aug 13, 2024
In today’s episode, I want to talk about what open adoption is so that you may be better prepared to navigate this often “scary” part of adoption. We’ll dive into topics such as:
What is open adoption, anyway?
What does having contact look like?
Who does open adoption benefit?
Is it hard?
How do I establish boundaries from the beginning?
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
This one's for all the mamas out there getting ready for back-to-school time!
If your babies are BIG kids now and they're headed into the school year, tune in while I talk about my favorite (tested and approved!) gear, from backpacks to baskets to planners for all things #momlife!
Earthley
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Today we're talking about approaching the adoption journey as a team with your spouse.
On this episode, I challenge you to do two things:
1) Ask your husband how you can be praying for him.
2) Journal prompt: If it were just the two of us, would I still be okay? Then ask the Lord to match your desires to His will for your family.
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Hey friends! Welcome to the Heartgrown Mama podcast.
This is a quick intro to who I am and the type of content you can expect in future episodes.
I hope this podcast brings you encouragement -- whether you're waiting to bring home your child, or while you're busy raising your beautiful family.
Make sure to subscribe and stick around for more episodes!