Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster & Kinship Care

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.What do adoptive and foster parents need to know about the impacts of prenatal exposure to opioids, Suboxone, and Methadone. What are the risks to a baby born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome or Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS)? We talk with Dr. Julian Davies, a pediatrician at the University of Washington’s Center for Adoption Medicine and their FASD and Prenatal Exposure Clinic.In this episode, we cover:What are opiates or opioids? What are the most common opiates that are being used during pregnancy? What are the most common non-opiate drugs that are being used by pregnant women? What are the common treatment medication/drugs given to those struggling with addiction who are trying to get off opioids? Methadone, Suboxone, and Subutex Are Methadone, Suboxone, and Subutex safe to use during pregnancy? What are the short- and long-term impacts on infants exposed to opiates? What are the short- and long-term impacts of infants exposed to Methadone in pregnancy? What are the short- and long-term impacts of infants exposed to Suboxone in pregnancy? Does the dosage of methadone or suboxone have an effect on the baby? What are the short- and long-term impacts of infants exposed to methamphetamines (meth) in pregnancy? What are the short- and long-term impacts of infants exposed to cocaine in pregnancy? What are the short- and long-term impacts of infants exposed to marijuana in pregnancy? Edible vs. smoking vs. vaping Does the timing of exposure in pregnancy affect the prognosis for the child? Is there a safer time for a fetus to be exposed to drugs in utero? Many parents believe that if the child is not born dependent or with drugs in their system that the prognosis is better. Or conversely, if the child is born dependent and has to go through withdrawals that they will suffer more impact from the in-utero drug exposure. Is this true? How serious is drug dependency and withdrawal for the infant? How is withdrawal treated in the infant? How is Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) treated in babies born dependent? Families that adopt out of state are often concerned about how soon they can travel home with their baby if she has been born dependent and is going through withdrawal. How long does withdrawal in an infant born dependent last? If a baby tests positive for opiates is it possible to determine what drug the baby has been exposed to? Does the long-term prognosis matter depending on which drug? How do you foster attachment while baby is suffering through withdrawal? How common is it for women who use drugs during their pregnancy to also drink excessively during their pregnancy? One thing you hear a lot is that “early intervention is key” and that a baby’s brain can be rewired during the first couple of years with the right therapy. What exactly doeSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Have you or someone you care about experienced a miscarriage or stillbirth? We talk about coping with pregnancy loss with Dr. Poonum Sharma, a Licensed Psychologist specializing in reproductive issues. She is a long term member of the Mental Health Provider Professional Group at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.In this episode, we cover:Miscarriage and Stillbirth StatisticsDistinction between a miscarriage and stillbirth. A stillbirth is the death of a baby before or during delivery. Both miscarriage and stillbirth describe pregnancy loss, but they differ according to when the loss occurs. In the United States, a miscarriage is usually defined as loss of a baby before the 20th week of pregnancy, and a stillbirth is loss of a baby at 20 weeks of pregnancy and later.About 1 pregnancy in 100 (1%) end in stillbirth, and each year about 24,000 babies are stillborn in the United States.For women who know they’re pregnant, about 10 to 15 in 100 pregnancies (10 to 15 percent) end in miscarriage. As many as half of all pregnancies may end in miscarriage. We don’t know the exact number because a miscarriage may happen before a woman knows she’s pregnant.Most miscarriages happen in the first trimester before the 12th week of pregnancy. Miscarriage in the second trimester (between 13 and 19 weeks) happens in 1 to 5 in 100 (1 to 5 percent) pregnancies.The primary cause of first trimester miscarriage is chromosomal abnormalities. The Grief ProcessFactors that may impact grief:How long a woman or couple has been trying to get pregnant.Timing in the pregnancy of the loss.The number of miscarriages or pregnancy losses she has experienced.The cause of the miscarriage or lack of an explanation?Patient’s age.If she has existing children. Secondary infertility.The ability to talk about the loss to family and friends.Temperament of the patient and her partner.Pregnancy loss before others know about the pregnancy.Helping Patients CopeHow can those around the woman or couple support them during this time? How to share the news.How can nurses help patients cope?What are the symptoms of compassion fatigue that infertility nurses should be aware of.How can nurses prevent or cope with compassion fatigue.This podcast is produced  by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:·         Weekly podcasts·         Weekly articles/blog posts·        Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.What issues should you consider if you want to adopt as a single person? We talk with Susan Fremer, a licensed mental health intern and a single mom of five adopted girls; and Lee Varon, a LICSW specializing in adoptive parenting, a single mom to two sons through adoption, and author of two books on single parent adoption. In this episode, we cover:Single parenting is common. Are there distinctions between becoming a single parent through divorce, conception, and adoption? How easy is it to adopt as a single woman or single man? Are there any additional requirements for single parents to be able to adopt? Any additional questions in the home study?  Legal issues. Importance of a will and naming a guardian. What are some potential issues single parents should consider before they decide to adopt? Is there another single parent or family that you could partner with to provide mutual child care support either full time or babysitting type arrangement? Emotional support. Consider moving closer to family. Changes to your friend network after you become a parent. Finances. Costs for raising a child. Look at your debt. Will your housing have to change? Child care. May influence the age of child you decide to adopt. Finding the opposite gender role model for your child. Self-care.  Dating. Are you ready to be a single parent? Are you ready to give up the fun parts of being child-free, like the freedom to do what you want when you want? The freedom to tackle a new time consuming work project, educational degree, hobby, travel, etc. Are you ready to feel the inevitable time crunch of single parenting? Are you ready financially? Annoying comments you may hear. You haven’t given enough time to finding a partner. Consider joining a single parent by choice support group. Online or in-person (check Meetup) Resources: Single Adoptive Parents: Our Stories (Book by Lee Varon and Sherry Fine) Adopting On Your Own: The Complete Guide to Adoption for Single Parents (Book by Lee Varon) Single Mothers By Choice (organization and website) Motherhood Reimagined (organization and website) ChoiceMom.org E-guide: Finding Support (eGuide) This podcast is produced  by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-iSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Grandparents raising grandkids or aunts and uncles raising nephews and nieces is often complicated and comes with a mix of challenges and blessings. What are the unique issues that kinship caregivers face and what do they need to succeed. We talk about these issues with LaNette Jacobs, an aunt raising her two nephews; Marla Galvan, a licensed clinical social worker and Foster Care Strategic Consultant for Child Welfare Information Gateway; Dr. Ali Caliendo, the Executive Director of Foster Kinship, a nonprofit support of kinship families in Nevada; and Jaia Lent, the Deputy Executive Director at Generations United where she provides direction for the National Center on Grandfamilies.In this episode, we covered:Kinship care, also often called grandparent care or grandparent-led families, is used to care for children whose parents are unable. And while we will often use the term grandparent, we fully recognize that it is often aunts, uncles, cousins, and sometimes other siblings that are stepping up to care for these children. Kinship care can be permanent or temporary, financially subsidized or not, formal or informal. Kinship care at its best helps to maintain family connections and cultural traditions that can minimize the trauma of family separation. Grandparents raising grandkids or aunts and uncles raising nephews and nieces is often complicated and comes with a mix of challenges and blessings.There is often a blurred line between being a family member and assuming responsibility for a relative's children. Is your role the grandparent or the parent and if parent, to whom is your first allegiance—to your child or your grandchild.It’s also a blessing. It’s a do over, a chance to be fully involved in a child’s life again and make a difference in the next generation.Why is raising your grandkids different from raising your own kids the first time around?Understanding emotions. Guilt, shame, anger, distrust, loss, loneliness, grief. And these feelings are often felt by both the parent and the kinship caregiver.Managing boundaries.CommunicationBeing honest about your needs and the kids needsPutting the children’s needs first.How to help with reunification?Try to show empathy towards the challenges that the parents are struggling with. Don’t put down birth parents, especially in front of the kids.Assure children that their parents love them.Tell parents that you know that they love their child.Don’t put the children in the middle.Make visits a conflict free zone—if possible.Have adult conversations on working out disagreements away from the kids.Support change in the parents.Support groups.Not financially prepared for the addition of kids.Parenting kids who’ve experienced trauma.Legal resources to be in the best position to advocate for the child.This podcast is produced  Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Should you consider freezing your eggs? What is involved and how much does it cost. We talk with Dr. Taraneh Nazem, Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist with Reproductive Medicine Associates of NY.In this episode, we cover:Female Fertility Overview of female fertility.What impacts fecundity?How important is age in female fertility?Why does age negatively impact fertility in women?What other factors decrease a woman’s fertility?Fertility PreservationAt what age does fertility begin to decrease?What causes Diminished Ovarian Reserves?What are the symptoms of Diminished Ovarian Reserves?How to evaluate and diagnosis Diminished Ovarian Reserves?What can women do to support their fertility and maintain optimum fertility for as long as possible?Does birth control influence future fertility positively or negatively? Does exercise impact female fertility?Egg FreezingWho should consider egg freezing?At what age should women consider freezing their eggs?What is the egg freezing process?What are the short and long-term risks of the fertility medication needed for egg freezing?Do you need to have your IUD removed in order to go through an egg retrieval process?How many eggs do you need to freeze to provide a fair chance of having a baby? Are women with low AMH levels a good candidate for egg freezing? How many egg retrieval cycles should you expect in order to have enough eggs for a strong chance for a baby?How long can eggs be frozen?Does freezing damage the eggs?If you don’t use your frozen eggs can you donate them?What is the success rate for frozen eggs?Should you freeze eggs or freeze embryos?Cost of egg freezing:Initial egg retrieval. Cryopreservation storage fee. What is the process when you want to return to use your frozen eggs? This podcast is produced  by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen families. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:·         Weekly podcasts·         Weekly articles/blog posts·        Resource pages on all aspects of family buildingCreating a Family also has an active presence on many social media platforms. Please like or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Have you ever wondered why a specific behavior by your child drives you crazy? What do we as parents bring to the relationship that could be part of the problem? We talk about how a parent's history with attachment and trauma impacts our parenting with Dr. Patrice Berry, a licensed clinical psychologist with specialized training in adoption and foster care and over 15 years of clinical experience. In this episode, we cover:·      Research has shown that our attachment style with our own parents is the biggest predictor of the attachment style we’ll have with our child.·      What do we mean by attachment style? Attachment style refers to the internal “working models” we develop of how relationships function. They influence the way we relate to important people in our lives. The attachments we form in our early relationships with parents or caretakers can have an impact on our feelings of insecurity, anxiety, fear, avoidance, and satisfaction in our closest relationships throughout our lives.·      A detailed tool has been developed to determine our attachment styles. Adult-Attachment Inventory (AAI). In the inventory, done by a professional with specific training, adults are asked to describe their childhoods, and it is in the telling of their stories that attachment styles are assessed.·      What are the types of attachment styles that have been identified in adults?·      Are our attachment styles fixed in childhood by how we were parented or can they change through growth and work on our part? ·      To further complicate the parenting picture, it’s important to remember that foster and adopted children come to us having experienced some degree of trauma and a set of experiences from their own family of origin or previous care settings that did not develop in the family system of their adoptive family and may contrast sharply.·      All parents are susceptible to being “triggered” by things in their past and, consciously or unconsciously, having this shape their behavior. A child’s behavior can certainly be such a trigger.·      Examples of situations where a parent’s past trauma and attachment style may interfere with their being the best parent to their child.·      How can we move toward a more secure attachment style?This podcast is produced  by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:·         Weekly podcasts·         Weekly articles/blog posts·        Resource pages on all aspects of family buildingCreating a Family also has an active presence on many social media platforms. Please like or Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.How can you talk full advantage of the Adoption Tax Credit? What changes are important when filing for this credit for your 2020 taxes. We talk with Becky Wilmoth, an Enrolled Agent and Adoption Tax Credit Specialist with Bill's Tax Service and Josh Kroll, the Adoption Subsidy Resource Center coordinator at the North American Council on Adoptable Children.In this episode, we cover: What is the Adoption Tax Credit for adoption being claimed on 2020 federal taxes $14,300It is a non-refundable tax credit. How to advocate for refundability.What is a “credit” and how does it differ from a deduction or some other form of tax savings? If you get a tax refund every year, how would you use the Adoption Tax Credit? If you don’t have any federal tax liability, should you still apply the credit to your federal income taxes? What type of adoptions are included or excluded? Stepparent adoption? Embryo adoption? Same-sex partner second parent adoption? Unmarried heterosexual second parent adoption? Surrogacy?Can you get credit for each adoption you complete even if completed in the same year? What about adopting siblings at the same time?What is a Qualified Adoption Expense for purposes of the Adoption Tax Credit?When can you claim the Adoption Tax Credit?Domestic Infant AdoptionInternational Adoption Re-adoption in the US for International AdoptionFoster Care AdoptionSpecial Needs Adoption: How does the Adoption Tax Credit differ for adoptions from foster care?Special needs child for international adoptionWhat income level is excluded from claiming the Adoption Tax Credit in 2020?How long can the credit be carried over?Will the Adoption Tax Credit offset self-employment tax or will it only offset income tax liability? How does the Adoption Tax Credit work in conjunction with employer benefits?What type of documentation should you submit with your taxes? What type of documentation should you keep in your records?What should you do if you do not have your child’s social security number when you get ready to file your taxes? When should you consider using an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number (ATIN #) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN #)?How does the Adoption Tax Credit work with kinship adoptions? What if the child never was involved with the foster care?What are the most common questions received about the Adoption Tax Credit?How to find a tax specialist knowledgeable on the Adoption Tax Credit?This podcast is produced  by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:·         Weekly Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.We talk about evaluating the risk factors for foster care with Dr. Kimara Gustafson, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota with appointments at both their Adoption Medicine Clinic and Pediatric Emergency Department.In this episode, we cover:The common risk factor that foster parents and those wanting to adopt from foster care need to be aware of include physical, emotional, developmental, educational, and behavioral problems rooted in childhood adversity and trauma.What types of trauma are foster kids exposed to? Neglect, abuse, prenatal exposure, multiple caregivers, not having a reliable caregiver, constant stress What percentage of children in foster care have been exposed to drugs or alcohol prenatally? Impact of trauma on physical health.  Foster parents often have little information about prior health history. Overmedication of foster children and youth. Research has found that the average number of psychiatric diagnoses and psychotropic medications prescribed were significantly greater for youth and children in foster care. o Children in foster care are likely to be kept on them longer than other Medicaid-enrolled children who are not in foster care. What are psychotropic drugs and why are so many foster children on them? Who has authority to make health care decisions for foster children and youth? Impact of trauma on mental health. hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity.  What types of behaviors are common as a result of trauma? Sleep issues common to children in foster care. Food issues common to children in foster care. Creating a Family course: Practical Solutions to Typical Food Issues  Impact of trauma on a foster child’s education. Children in foster care need educational advocates. Risk factors to consider for children already in the home. Creating a Family course: The Impact of Fostering on Children Already in the Home  Children can heal and foster parents can and do make a difference! This podcast is produced  by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:·         Weekly podcasts·         Weekly articles/blog posts·        Resource pages on all aspects of family buildingCreating a Family also has an active presence on many social mSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.We don’t just bring kids into our homes; we bring them into our marriage and relationships. And marriages or relationships are particularly challenged when we are parenting kids who have been exposed to trauma. We talk with Amy Garber, MSW and LICSW, the Manager of the Post Adoption Program with Wide Horizons for Children, a child welfare organization. We also talk with Anne Meijers, a licensed clinical social worker, specializing in adult and couples therapy.In this episode, we cover:Our goal should be for our marriage or relationships to be around long after the kids leave home. This takes being proactive because if we’re not careful our relationship becomes all about parenting or fostering.How can kids enhance a marriage or relationship? We know that kids who’ve experience trauma can be challenging to parent and can test a marriage or a relationship.Why are children adopted or fostered past infancy, children with prenatal exposure, and kids who have experienced trauma often harder to parent? CreatingaFamily.org has many courses on Trauma Informed Parenting.What are some of the stresses that relationships may face when fostering or adopting kids who’ve been exposed to trauma? Feeling isolatedOne parent wanting to adopt or foster more than the other Blame from the outside or between the parentsGrief- that parenting is harder or less fun than you anticipated, etc.What are some situations that children who’ve experienced trauma can bring to the family and be particularly difficult for the marriage?Disagreement on how to handle behaviorsTriangulationWhat are some signs that you are neglecting your marriage?How can trauma or neglect in the parent’s background impact the marriage once children arrive?How to handle extended family members (grandparents, etc.) that are negatively impacting your relationship?Tips for strengthening your relationship while parenting kids who’ve been exposed to trauma, including prenatal exposure.Special issues for single parents.We encourage single parents to establish a support network. How can challenging kids test this network? How can single parents find support?Tips for singles to strengthen their support network and relationships. This podcast is produced  by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:·         Weekly podcasts ·         Weekly articles/blog posts ·        Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.What should you expect as you return home with a newly adopted baby or child? What are the common emotions? We talk with Laura Jean Beauvais, a licensed professional counselor and mother of two adult daughters through adoption. She has conducted domestic, foster, and international adoptions for more than 25 years.In this episode, we cover:Adopting a NewbornWhat are some common emotions when adopting a newborn?What are some common stresses when adopting a newborn?How may the revocation period affect the transition to new adoptive parenting?Expectations of extended family during this transition period.How do the stresses of newly adopted families differ from a family that gives birth to their child?How does the pre-adoption process affect this transition to new parenthood?What are some feelings that come up about birth parents after the baby comes home? Realities of open adoptions Handling grief of birth family Feeling like the presence of a birth mom makes the adoptive mom less of a “real” mom The balance of power shifting from the expectant/birth mom to the adoptive mom How much of your child’s “story” should you share?How can infertility struggles impact the transition period?Adopting a Child Past InfancyWhat are some common emotions when adopting a child from foster care or through international adoption?What are some common stresses when adopting a child past infancy?The challenge of setting realistic expectations.How to help your child and you settle in to becoming a new family.Post Adoption DepressionWhat is post-adoption depression?What are the symptoms?How common is post-adoption depression?Can fathers also have post-adoption depression?Who is at risk for post-adoption depression? Are there ways to predict which people are more prone to post-adoption depression?How can post-adoption depression impact parenting?What are some steps to take to prevent post-adoption depression?What should you do if you think you are suffering from post-adoption depression?Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building