In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney engage with Pam Bauer, a mother of 14 adopted children, to discuss the complexities of adoption, grief, and parenting. Pam shares her insights on the challenges of raising a large family, the importance of addressing grief in adopted children, and the need for open conversations about their birth families. The discussion emphasizes the significance of understanding loss, building connections, and providing emotional support to adopted children as they navigate their unique journeys.

Takeaways

• Adopted children often experience grief related to their biological families.
• Grief can be an opportunity for attachment and healing.
• Open conversations about adoption are crucial for children's understanding.
• Children may feel divided loyalties between adoptive and biological parents.
• Rituals can help children process their grief and loss.
• Understanding emotions and body language is essential in parenting adopted children.
• Grief is a lifelong journey that evolves over time.
• Adoptive parents should encourage their children to express their feelings.
• Children need to know they are loved and valued regardless of their background.
• It's important to recognize the mixed emotions surrounding adoption.

Whether you’re considering becoming a foster parent or just want to better understand the adoption ecosystem, this conversation offers wisdom, hope, and practical insight from someone who’s lived it out for decades.