Productive or Present? | Challenges in Parenting

Well... this is it.After 67 episodes, countless conversations, rabbit holes, laughs, and hard topics, we are recording one last episode of Beyond the Home Study. And naturally, we couldn't leave without one final hurrah!While the podcast may be coming to an end, the conversations don't have to. Foster care, adoption, parenting, trauma, and all the messy, complicated, beautiful things in between are worth continuing to talk about.Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Keep asking questions, keep learning, and most importantly keep the conversation going.

Sometimes life is full of big milestones and sometimes it's home projects, travel stress, changing seasons, and just trying to keep up with your kids. This week, Lora Rose and Abbey are catching up on all of it!We're sharing our latest wins and woes, from home renovations and recent travels to family milestones and the everyday parenting moments that have challenged us (and helped us grow). It's a little bit of what's working, what's definitely not, and what we're learning along the way.Don't forget to Like, Follow, & Share!Instagram, Facebook, & our website.

Foster care often comes with a lot of misconceptions, but what does it actually look like to say yes? This week, we're joined by Nick and Sarah as they share the story of how they stepped into foster care, what surprised them most, and how their perspective on reunification completely changed along the way.We talk about building relationships with birth families, navigating the emotions of loving children who may not stay, supporting sibling connections, and why humility is one of the most important qualities a foster parent can have. Whether you're considering foster care or already on the journey, this conversation is an encouraging reminder that loving a child well also means cheering for what's best for their family.Don't forget to Like, Follow, & Share!Instagram, Facebook, & our website

Productivity advice is everywhere... but does it actually work when you're parenting foster or adoptive children? This week, we're diving into the tension between getting things done and being fully present. We talk about why routines and systems can be a lifesaver for foster and adoptive families, how busy seasons, and everyday chaos can test even the best systems, and why sometimes the most productive thing you can do is throw the plan out the window.Whether you're a color-coded planner or someone who flies by the seat of your pants, this conversation will encourage you to find a rhythm that works for your family without adding more pressure to your plate.Don't forget to Like, Follow, & Share!Instagram, Facebook, & our website.

Your child may be heading back to school, but they're also stepping into new routines, new expectations, and sometimes some really big feelings. In Part 2 of our back-to-school series, Lora Rose & Abbey share practical, trauma-informed strategies to help foster and adoptive children navigate this transition with confidence. We cover simple tools for talking about emotions, preparing for social situations, supporting regulation, and creating a safe place for kids to process all the changes that come with a new school year.Whether your child is walking into a brand-new classroom or returning after a difficult year, we hope these ideas help make the transition a little smoother—for everyone.Don't forget to Like, Follow, & Share!Instagram, Facebook, & our Website.

Back-to-school season can feel a little chaotic... and we're right there with you. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Lora Rose & Abbey focus on preparing for the transition back to school. We chat about creating routines that actually work, navigating big emotions (for kids and parents), and why you don't have to completely reinvent your family every August. We also dive into emotional regulation, using feelings charts, and the importance of taking care of yourself so you can show up for your kids.Be sure to come back next week for Part 2, where we're shifting the focus to your child and sharing practical ways to support them through the back-to-school transition.Don't forget to Like, Follow, & Share!Instagram, Facebook, & our Website.

Adoption stories are usually told from one perspective... but this week, you're getting two. We're joined by an adoptive mom and her daughter as they share the incredible story of their private adoption, what it was like growing up in a closed adoption, and how reconnecting with birth family years later reshaped their lives. We also dive into adoption trauma, identity, openness, and why honest conversations matter for every member of the adoption triad. Don't forget to Like, Follow, & Share!Instagram, Facebook, & our Website.

Some families ease into foster care... Amber and Alex hit the gas. After welcoming 12 children through foster care, adoption, and biologically, they're sharing what they've learned about building a big family, creating systems that actually work, and staying committed through the chaos.We talk about what motivated them to foster, how they balance individual attention with the needs of a large family, practical tips for managing the day-to-day, and why treating every child like they're truly part of the family makes all the difference. Whether you're considering foster care, already parenting a full house, or just love hearing incredible family stories, this episode is packed with wisdom and encouragement.Don’t forget to Like, Follow, & Share!Instagram, Facebook, & our website

Sometimes the best conversations deserve a sequel. Emily first joined us years ago to share her embryo adoption journey, and now she's back to give us an update on where life has taken her family.We chat about talking with kids about their adoption story, open versus closed embryo adoption, sibling relationships, and the questions that naturally come as children grow. It's an honest, thoughtful conversation about a path to parenthood that many people have never heard of.Don’t forget to Like, Follow, & Share!Instagram, Facebook, & our website

Welcome back to another edition of Wins, Woes, & What’s Happening!This episode is a little life update, a little therapy session, and a lot of laughter. We’re sharing recent wins, a few woes, and the everyday moments that have kept us humble lately. From summer adventures and parenting mishaps to personal growth and finding humor in the chaos, we’re catching you up on what life has looked like behind the scenes.And because apparently we have no secrets, we finish by sharing our recent ChatGPT searches, which may reveal more about us than we intended.Grab a coffee and come hang out with us for this candid catch-up episode.Don’t forget to Like, Follow, & Share!Instagram, Facebook, & our website