Creating A Family: Talk About Infertility, Adoption & Foster Care

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.The trauma of racism impacts our children's physical and emotional health. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Roger Harrison, a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and a pediatric psychologist in the Division of Behavioral Health at Nemours/Alfred I DuPont Hospital for Children; Dr. Lonna Gordon, the Division Chief of Adolescent Medicine at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Florida. She is board certified in pediatrics, adolescent medicine and obesity medicine; and Cindy Bo, Senior Vice President, Delaware Valley Strategy and Business Development and Interim DRIVE Enterprise Leader.In this episode, we cover:We talk a lot about the impact of trauma on children and often we do so in the context of neglect, loss, abuse, removal from biological family, and prenatal exposure. Today we are going to expand the concept of trauma to include the impacts of racism.What is racism and w

What do you need to know about uterine fibroids if you want to get pregnant? We talk with Dr. Desiree McCarthy-Keith, is the Medical Director of Shady Grove Fertility Atlanta and a Board Certified OB/GYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist. She also has a Master of Public Health in maternal and child health. She has been listed in Atlanta Magazine’s Top Doctors for Infertility from 2017-2021 and as one of Black Health Magazine’s Most Influential African American Doctors.In this episode, we cover:What are uterine fibroids?What are the main symptoms of fibroids?Who is most at risk for having fibroids?Is there a genetic connection to uterine fibroids? Do fibroids pass through families?Why do some fibroids grow very slowly and others rapidly? Is the speed the fibroid is growing something to worry about? How should women track this?Are fibroids always a problem requiring treatment?How to diagnoses fibroids.Symptom distinction between endometriosis and fibroid?What is the best way to medically treat uterine fibroids?A

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Do you have a child that is more—more loud, more energetic, more argumentative, more everything? Intense children can be harder to raise, but their intensity is a gift as well as a parenting challenge. We talk with Howard Glasser, creator of the Nurtured Heart Approach to parenting. He is the author of Transforming the Difficult Child and Transforming the Intense Child Workbook.In this episode, we cover:What do you consider to be an intense child? My child was “more”—more loud, more energy—their reaction to most things was simply more. They go from 5 mph to 60mph in about a second. What are the labels and diagnoses that intense children often accumulate? ADHD, ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder), conduct disorder, PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression.What makes some kids more “intense” than others? What do you mean by energy-challenged kids? Unable to handle or effectively control their physical, cognitive or emotional energy. They have a disord

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Have you ever thought about becoming a foster parent but didn't know where to begin? This is the show for you! We talk with Vicki Ochoa, State Director for South Carolina MENTOR, an organization that provides an array of child and family services, on the ins and outs of becoming a foster parent.In this episode, we cover:Why should you become a foster parent?What is the role of a foster parent?What are the expectations of what a foster parent will do?How to become a foster parent.How do you get licensed to be a foster parent?How much training is required?What type of ongoing training is required?Do you have to own your home? How big does your house need to be?How many kids can you have already in your home?What agency can you work with to become licensed?Who places the child with you?What are the needs of kids in foster care?How is the decision made as to which child or children should be placed in your home?Can you specify the age, gender,

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.How can we raise children who are resilient and able to bounce back from the ups and downs of life and move forward with optimism and confidence? In this episode, we talk with Dr. Ken Ginsburg, the Co-Founder and Director of Programs at the Center for Parent and Teen Communications, a Professor of Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and The University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, and author or “Building Resilience in Children and Teens” and “Raising Kids to Thrive”.In this episode, we cover:What is resilience and why is it important. Resilience is the ability to bounce back and the capacity to rise above difficult circumstances, allowing our children to exist in this less-than-perfect world, while moving forward with optimism and confidence.What are the biggest challenges in creating resilience in children?Raising resilient kidsWe want our kids to be successful. What is Success- how does it relate to h

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Can problems in our immune system cause infertility, miscarriage, or premature birth? Today we talk with Reproductive Endocrinologist Dr. Daniel Stein, Director of RMA of New York’s Westside office and Chief of Reproductive Endocrinology at Mount Sinai West Hospital, about the impact our immune system has on our fertility.In this episode, we cover:In what ways are our immune system and reproductive system linked?Why does the woman’s immune system not react to the presence of a fetus?Autoimmune diseases-how do they impact fertility and miscarriage or premature birthWhat are the most common auto-immune diseases? (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s Disease, Hashimoto's disease, celiac disease, endometriosis, premature ovarian insufficiency)Are autoimmune mechanisms involved in infertility disorders such as premature ovarian failure or diminished ovarian reserves, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.What are the long-term impacts of prenatal alcohol and drug exposure and how can we parent these kids to help them thrive. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Mona Delahooke, a clinical child psychologist and the author of Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children’s Behavioral Challenges.In this episode, we cover:Long term impact of prenatal alcohol and drug exposure: Research has found that most drugs that are commonly abused easily cross the placenta and can affect fetal brain development. In utero exposures to drugs and alcohol thus can have long-lasting implications for brain development resulting in behavioral challenges and mental and physical health implication. Some things to consider:The amount of drugs and alcohol used by the mom and the timing in the pregnancy matter, although this is information that is seldom available to adoptive or foster parents.Very often children are exposed to more th

In this episode we talk with a panel of four former foster youth to find out what it is like to be raised in foster care and what they wish foster parents knew about the experience.In this episode, we cover:What was the experience of being removed from your home and taken from your parents? Was there something that your foster parents could have done when you were first placed in the home to help alleviate some of the trauma?Did you feel fully included in your foster family? What can foster parents do to help the child feel included?This wasn’t relevant when you were in foster care, but what are your thoughts on blurring out the foster child or putting stickers over their face when posting pics on social media?Relationships with the children of the foster family.Who did you feel like was on your side? Who could you go to if you needed help?Do you think enough was done to help your biological parents before you were removed?Do you think enough was done to help your biological parents with reunification? Or do

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.What issues do you need to think about when using social media as an adoptive or foster parent? What issues do you need to consider for your teens and tweens as they engage in social media? We talk with Katie Biron, Director Fostering Connections for Families and Program Manager of the Family Connections Program; Laura Jean Beauvais, licensed professional counselor with New Wind Counseling; and Dawn Friedman, a licensed professional clinical counselor with supervisory designation at Building Family Counseling about handling social media with adopted, foster, and kinship children.In this episode,  we include:Some of the most popular social media platforms include: FacebookInstagramYouTubeTikTokSnapchatTwitterPinterestRedditSocial Media pre-adoptionKeep in mind that states have varying laws on matching online and advertising for an expectant parent. You need to know what is allowed.How much information can you or should you post after you have be

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.How can we prepare kids already in our home for the adoption of a sibling whether that new sibling is an infant or an older child. We will talk with Michelle Hoevker, a board-certified Clinical Social Work Supervisor and Program Director of Adoption and Foster Care at Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services with more than 20 years experience in child welfare; and Adam Crawford, a Licensed Master Social Worker and the Program Director of Adoption and Foster Care at Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services with more than 15 years of experience in child welfare.In this episode, we cover:Adopting an InfantHow to prepare children for the adoption of an infant?How to answer question from others.How to explain open adoption to kids already in the home?What if the child already in the home is adopted but with a different degree of openness with their birth family?Transracial AdoptionHow to prepare children for the adoption of an infant when it is

Is human fertility declining? What is the cause and what can we do about it. Our guest is Dr. Shanna Swan, an award-winning scientist based at Mount Sinai Medical Center and one of the world’s leading environmental and reproductive epidemiologists. She is the author of Count Down: How Our Modern World Is Threatening Sperm Counts, Altering Male and Female Reproductive Development, and Imperiling the Future of the Human Race.In this episode, we cover: Is sperm count in human males declining?  Is this decline seen worldwide or just in developed countries?Is sperm count the only measure of sperm health that is declining? Are we seeing a change in sperm motility or morphology also?Do we see a change in the average testosterone level in men worldwide?Do we know what is causing the decline in sperm count? Do we see a similar impact on women’s reproductive health?  And if so, how do we know?Could the decline in the fertility rate be, at least in part, the result of a general trend toward delayed childbearing, access

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.What issues should parents think about when adopting a relative (niece, cousin, sibling) from abroad. We talk with Mary Beth King, who has a Master of Science in Social Administration and is Frank Adoption Center’s Executive Director, and with Katie Schultz, an International Adoption Specialist with Madison Adoption Associates.In this episode, we cover,What level of genetic relationship is required to call it a kinship adoption as well as what circumstances make a child eligible for an international kinship adoption, especially in the eyes of USCIS.At what age is a child no longer eligible for international kinship adoption?Changing relationship for both adopter and child – to go from the “cool, exotic US visitor” to everyday caregiver.Relationship with bio family in home country.Helping children navigate (and choose) the language of family – will they continue to refer to you as “aunt” or will you be “mom,” etc.Blending children by birth and t

What are the 7 essential character traits that parents can teach their children to increase resiliency? In this episode we talk with Dr. Michelle Borba, an internationally renowned educational psychologist and author of Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine.In this episode, we cover:You paint a picture in your book of tweens, teens and young adults who are stressed, anxious, depressed, and lonesome. Why are our kids experiencing this?Importance of play.Importance of sleep.7 essential character traits of a child who will thrive both in childhood and adolescence but also into adulthood.Self-ConfidenceWhat is the difference between self confidence and self-esteem?How does parental praise factor into teaching self-confidence?How do you teach self-confidence? EmpathyWhy is empathy so important to resilience?How do you teach empathy or at the very least encourage it?How does our modern technology impact empathy?Self-ControlWhat is self-control in children?How do we teach self-cont

Call it co-parenting, shared parenting, or partnership parenting, the gist is the same: foster parents are expected to share the nurturing of a foster child with the birth parents to facilitate reunification whenever possible. Join us today to talk about shared parenting with Carrie Sgarlata, an educator, mom, foster mom, and foster parent trainer and recruiter; and Andrea Leaman, a social worker with the Foster Care Licensing and Placement Program with Children’s Wisconsin Community Services and trainer in partnership parenting. In this episode, we covered:1.     Why is shared parenting best for the child? (less divided loyalty, foster parents can be a role model, less time in foster care, better behavior, majority of kids will return home and co-parenting makes that easier)2.     Building a relationship that begins when someone’s child is removed is not easy. What are some of the emotions the birth parents are likely feeling when they first meet the foster parent? (fear, confusion, denial, anger, embarrassm

How does the endocrine system impacts fertility, what can go wrong, and what can be done about it. We talk today with Dr. Mark Trolice, the Director of Fertility CARE: The IVF Center in Orlando and Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. He is double Board-certified in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility and OB/GYN.In this episode, we include:·      What is the function of the endocrine system in human health?·      How does the thyroid gland function within the endocrine system?·      How is female fertility impacted by the endocrine system?·      How is male fertility impacted by the endocrine system?·      What is hypothyroidism?·      What is hyperthyroidism?·      How are dysfunctions in the endocrine system diagnosed?·      How are dysfunctions in the endocrine system treated?·      What dietary and lifestyle choices impact the health of the endocrine system and thyroid gland?·      What are some common endocrine disrupting chemicals in

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.In this episode we interview Sarah Sentilles, author of a newly released book by Random House titled Stranger Care. "Stranger Care" is a beautifully written book that captures the promise and often the failure of foster care. And it is a beautiful portrait of love with no promise of a future.In this episode, we cover:Beautifully written book that captures the promise and often the failure of foster care. And a beautiful portrait of love with no promise of a future.·      How did you come to the decision to become foster parents? And did you come to that decision or were you really trying to become an adoptive parent?·     Discussion of “ethically cleaner”.·      I appreciated how you showed Evelyn, the birth mom, to be human and to love her child. You did a good job of showing the nuances, which are hard to do, especially when you are the one losing the child. I very much enjoyed seeing how that relationship grew. What helped change i

Have you ever considered adopting after you had children by birth? Or thought about trying to get pregnant after you adopted? Is it a good idea to combine kids by birth and adoption. In this episode, we talk with Rebecca Ricardo, an LCSW who has worked in the field of adoption since 1991. She currently serves as the Executive Director for a licensed, child-placing agency that provides both placement and support services. She is an adoptee and a birth mom. The son she placed for adoption was raised as the only adopted child between two children born to his adoptive parents.In this episode, we cover:•       What are the typical reasons why families have both adopted and non-adopted kids?•       What does the research show on how children and families adjust when there are children by both adoption and infertility?•       Do parents have a tendency to favor their biological children? Kin Selection Theory based on evolutionary psychology.•       Does it matter if the adopted child is adopted after the family has

Do you sometimes feel that self-care is an impossible goal when you are parenting kids who have experienced trauma. There isn't enough time in the day to do it all, much less take care of yourself. Or is there? Join us to talk about how to find time to take care of yourself. We will talk with Angelica Jones, MSW, Program Director of Intercountry Services and the Intensive Service Foster Care Recruiter and Trainer at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services.In this episode, we cover:·      “Selfcare” or “take care of yourself” are overused but still vitally important terms for  foster, adoptive, and kinship parents.·      Why do all parents but especially parents of kids who’ve experienced trauma need to practice self-care?·      What is secondary trauma?·      Why are kids who’ve experience neglect, abuse and other childhood traumas harder to  parent?·      The busyness of foster and adoptive parenting.·      What are some of the barriers to taking care of ourselves as adoptive, foster or kinship parents?

Do you worry that the over the counter medications you take for a headache or allergies could impact your fertility? What about CBD or melatonin? We talk with Dr. Kathleen Tucker, a scientific director for various IVF labs; and with K.E. Tucker Consulting, and Dr. Angie Beltos, CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Vios Fertility Institute.In this episode, we include:Research has found three reasons why the impact of OTC medication on fertility has become an increasing issue.We are taking more medications now that people in the past. People are waiting longer to start a family and age is associated with greater medication use.People are experiencing more chronic disease at earlier ages.Taken together, these factors have increased the number of prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs being taken by women and men attempting to get pregnant with or without fertility treatment.As always, talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding both prescription and non-prescription medications.Impact of OTC drugs

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.How should you talk with young children, toddlers, and preschoolers about adoption. How do you talk about birth mothers and birth fathers? In this episode we talk with Jenna Howard, a LMSW who has worked in the adoption field since 1994 in both domestic and international adoption. In addition, she is an adoptee and an adoptive mom.In this episode, we cover:Why is it important to start talking about adoption and birth parents with kids when they are very young?When should you begin talking about adoption with children if they are adopted at birth or a very young age?How to talk with infants about adoption.What do young children understand about the concept of adoption?What name should be used when referring to birth parents?How to talk with toddlers and preschoolers about adoption. (They are accepting of what parents say and the attitude it was said.)Adoption is cool stage.Oversharing details. Distinction between secret and private.Oversharing a