Curious what foster parents think of Instant Family? We’ve got an early movie review for you here from a real life foster-adoptive family.  Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne play a childless couple who decide to enter parenting through the foster care system and encounter all the struggles of parenting kids who have experienced trauma.  We were able to see an early screening of the movie and can tell you everything you need to know. We offer both what we think of the movie for those who haven’t seen it and then dive into our reflections on how foster families are depicted in the movie with a spoiler-filled review. Listen to our latest episode here. Instant Family opens in theaters on November 16, 2018

Foster Parenting Podcast

Episode 122 – What Do Foster Parents Think of Instant Family

T interviews Zach about their adoption and its many unusual circumstances. Their story will leave you inspired and stretch your imagination about what is possible in creating a family. Before listening to this episode make sure to watch this great video of “Meredith’s Big Surprise”

Episode 116 – Unusual Adoption Story

Have you heard of special laws governing the adoption of children who are of Native American descent? In the US, children who are Native American fall under a specific law called the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), which can govern their adoptive and foster placements. T interviews Johnston Moore about ICWA. They discuss the origins and intentions of the federal law and its ongoing application. Originally created to ensure the rights of Native Americans, Moore says that the law is sometimes used to make decisions that may not be in the best interests of children. Johnston Moore belongs to a network of activists working to amend the law. If you wish to contact him, he can be reached at http://www.home-4-ever.org

Episode 115 – Indian Child Welfare Act

Many foster parents draw firm boundaries between themselves and their foster children’s birth parents. But is this right? In this interview with Saint Fults, a social worker in St. Louis, Missouri, we learn of another perspective of openness toward birth family relationships from the beginning of the child’s placement. Fults advocates that foster parents should consider opening their lives more fully to birth families, including hosting visits in the foster home. The perspective challenged us to think about what is truly best for the children in our care, and how a higher degree of openness in foster care might better set up birth families for successful reunification.

Episode 112 – Opening Up to Birth Parents

We recently were able to participate in the annual Together for Adoption Conference. This episode is based on the breakout session we led there. We’ve heard a lot of stories about foster care. Sometimes the stories are in the news, sometimes we hear them from people we know, and sometimes strangers volunteer their perspectives. Rather than sweeping the dirt under the rug, we think we should talk about it. So this episode is our attempt to confront negative stories about foster care experiences. We talk about abusive foster parents, delays in the adoption process, biased social workers and judges, and the pain of getting attached and having to say goodbye. Come see us in person and enjoy other great speakers at the KidBridge Seminar in Rolling Hills Estates, CA on Saturday, October 29!

Episode 109 – All the Dirt on Foster Care and Why You Should Still Do It

T interviews Jacob, a counselor at Royal Family Kids Camp, a summer program run by churches for foster kids throughout the country and internationally. Jacob mentioned his film project CAMP. You can contribute to his Kickstarter Campaign here. Help him reach his goal!

Episode 105 – Royal Family Kids

We recorded our 100th episode in front of an audience at Olive Crest Foster and Adoption Agency. It was such a pleasure to meet and connect with our listeners. In this episode we tackle some of the toughest doubts and questions thrown at the foster care system. We respond to questions about inept social workers, the rights of birth parents and the limbo that kids are left in as they wait for the courts to decide their futures. We also share some thoughts on risk and what type of person it will take to reform the system. “To Risk” by William Arthur Ward To laugh is to risk appearing a fool, To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out to another is to risk involvement, To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self. To place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss. To love is to risk not being loved in return, To live is to risk dying, To hope is to risk despair, To try is to risk failure. But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, But he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or live. Chained by his servitude he is a slave who has forfeited all freedom. Only a person who risks is free. The pessimist complains about the wind; The optimist expects it to change; And the realist adjusts the sails.

Episode 100 – Doubts, Questions and Hurdles

Everyone seems to love the “Starfish Story” by Loren Eiseley. We’ve got a new take on this old classic and promise you’ll never see starfish the same way again.  This is an episode you won’t want to miss; it matters to this one! Photo courtesy of OrangeCounty_Girl

Episode 90 – A New Starfish Story

We interview Amy, a fost-adopt parent who has had the experience of adopting four siblings consecutively. Her most recent adoption is being completed across state lines. Amy shares some personal experiences including infertility, pregnancy after adopting, and the death of a child. Also in this episode, we answer listener Kim’s question about how to help a foster child transition to his adoptive home.

Episode 70 – Interview with Adoptive Parent Amy

We sit down and interview Jeremy, a former foster child, about his experiences in the system and any wisdom he can pass on to foster parents. We also give a brief review of “The Miracle Worker” and highly recommend watching it. At least watch this scene and catch the pay off line at the end of this scene; “the room is a wreck but her napkin is folded”. We identify with it a lot.

Episode 68 – Jeremy, Former Foster Child

In this episode we decide to have a conversation with Christians about Christianity (and foster care). If you're not a Christian, feel free to listen in on our "family" conversation. But we won't be offended if you're not interested.

Episode 61 – A Conversation for Christians

These are 40 of our own personal reasons to adopt through foster care. They’re not necessarily for you or anyone else, but they are what compels us. Celebrate National Adoption Month with us!

Episode 50 – Forty Reasons We’re Adopting Through Foster Care

Wendy takes time to interview our friend Ramona, who grew up in foster care. Coming soon: stay tuned for our National Adoption Month plans. Email with any of your adoption specific questions.

Episode 49 – Ramona, Former Foster Child

Andrea and Linda have moved into our home! If you’re only going to listen to one episode, this is the one to listen to. We talk about: The #1 question we’re asked about foster parenting The problem of attachment 40% of people in homeless shelters were once foster kids! How to pray for Andrea and Linda’s mom, Carmen Tim makes a reference to a bad 80’s movie

Episode 4 – Don’t You Get Attached

Foster parents T & W journey through the foster parenting and adoption process