When our kids are “littles”, we have all kinds of big dreams for their futures. As they get older, our visions and hopes for them shift and morph into something even more grand, more fun and more exciting! The older they get, the more tangible it can become to us as parents.

This week host Tara Hutton sits down with singer/songwriter and mom, Shellee Coley to discuss the healing aspects of music and movement on trauma.

In this episode, Janet Ropp shares her story of addiction, loss, and recovery. Her insights into the dangers of co-dependence in the parent-child relationship provide needed information for all parents.

The truth is, that it is in the acknowledgement of our own brokenness that we can connect the most deeply with others. In our own brokenness we find the humility, empathy, and understanding we need to truly relate to another’s suffering. And where could that be needed more than in the lives of children from hard places?

They say if you want to climb a mountain, go with someone who’s climbed one before…That saying couldn’t be more true in the world of foster care. Providing for the needs of kids from hard places, while an honorable pursuit, is a challenge for even seasoned veterans like Lauren Bedevian, the guest on this week’s Mamas Well Podcast.

Sometimes messages are crystal clear. “It’s not my job to fix them, it’s my job to love them”. That one showed up just in time for Audra Simpson, founder of The Champion Project, an organization that mentors, and trains mentors for teens in foster care.

Tara Hutton sits down with adoptee, Monika Reynoso who shares her story of foster care, adoption, and running away from the family who loved her. Monika reminds us not to give up. No matter what the circumstances, unconditional love always wins!

Death by suicide is the #1 killer of individuals from 15 – 24 years old and the #10 killer of individuals in America. And when you dive in to the statistics of our population that have experienced trauma, the numbers understandably mount. Twenty two veterans take their lives daily. Adopted children are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide.

An important part of regulating and empowering kids from hard places is providing the right food at the right intervals.

Understanding foster care can be overwhelming and has a steep learning curve. It’s easy to find ourselves stuck in a perpetual state of confusion. While part of being a foster parent is learning to accept the various “unknowns” of our child’s future, we can seek answers to many of our questions from those who have who have walked this journey again and again.