Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!

In this episode, I discuss what to do and how to respond to the choices our adopted or foster children make. This topic is one of the first inspirations for this podcast as many families have asked me what to do when a situation arises where your child is making problematic, concerning, even destructive and harmful choices.

It is important to always remember that God is in control and we cannot control our children. Even in the most loving Christian homes, children will be led astray and make bad choices. The question in this episode is how do we respond to it in a loving and protective way. I encourage you to acknowledge your weakness, embrace your role as the parent, and understand that your child’s choices do not define you as a parent, nor do they define your child.

Here’s a few key takeaways you’ll find in this episode:

-Trusting God is essential when facing challenges in parenting.

-Parents should not lose confidence in their role due to children's choices.

-Love should be confident and not fearful.

-It's okay to acknowledge weaknesses and seek support from God.

-Perfection in parenting is unrealistic; mistakes will happen.

-Children's identities are not defined by their parents' successes or failures.

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com.

I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!

In this episode, I discuss the complex and multifaceted issue of trusting God in the face of abusive situations within the foster care system. This episode topic was inspired by a listener’s question - this is a very real issue that so many foster parents face. That is why this episode is focused on some practical advice and how to lean into the Lord when we don’t understand the “why” behind these situations. I emphasize the importance of focusing on what can be controlled, such as prayer and education, while advocating for children's rights and safety.

It is incredibly important that foster and adoptive parents provide a safe environment, create a safety plan, and be a voice for the children in their care. Empower these children beyond their trauma and trust in God's sovereignty over their circumstances.

Here’s a few key takeaways you’ll find in this episode:

-Focus on what you CAN control (Like prayer! Specific prayer!)

-Teach your children proper body anatomy, safe touch, and boundaries with adults

-KNOW your rights as foster and adoptive parents!

If the children in your care do not have a history of sexual abuse, it is still super important to stay informed and create a safety plan to prevent it. I hope this episode has been empowering and informative.

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com.

I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!

In this episode, I discuss what it means to trust God with what we cannot control when it comes to adoption and foster care. I am honest with you, sharing my personal journey through failed adoptions, especially my emotional struggles. I wrestled a lot but also learned about control, God's sovereignty, and the importance of relationship over results. Even when you succeed in adopting your child, it isn’t a fairytale “...and they lived happily ever after…” Part of my story is how I cared for a traumatized baby who screamed every single night because she was separated from her birth mama.

Here’s a few key takeaways you’ll find in this episode:

-Failed adoption is NOT cruelty or punishment from God!

-Failed adoption does NOT mean that God isn’t in control!

-Failed adoption does NOT mean you have missed your calling!

-To walk through failed adoptions, can teach you a lot about the adoption system, yourself, and God.

-This is about a relationship, not a result.

Ask yourself this as you wrestle failed adoptions:

*Am I closer to God because of this?

*Have I grown in Biblical wisdom and knowledge because of this?

*Do I have new insight and opportunities that I wouldn’t have if I hadn’t said “yes” to this calling?

*Has my understanding of God’s ultimate fulfillment to His plan changed?

I hope this has been an encouraging episode! You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com.

I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!