Adoption, Fostering & Tea: The New Family Social Podcast

Guy adopted siblings aged four and six.  They're now almost adults and he talks about their journey through education and what steps are available to them next.  Guy runs an event called Step Up Expo which showcases the choices available to young people over 16.

link to step up expo

Aubrey and his husband adopted siblings, aged nine and two, at the same time after meeting them at an activity day.  One year on, Aubrey talks about parenting with an age gap, helping an older child settle into a new family and new school, and how activities for the younger child benefit the older one.

PACE - https://ddpnetwork.org/about-ddp/meant-pace/

The Invisible String - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-invisible-string-patrice-karst/2685375?ean=9780316486231

Henry and Duncan had their twins placed with they just weeks before the first lockdown. They experienced isolation and child-to-parent violence from their frightened and confused children.  They fought for support and found it really useful.  They now live abroad and are successfully raising their much-loved sons in a bilingual household.

 

As mentioned in the podcast:

The BUSS Model

Adam and Aaron have been on the podcast twice before.  Since their last visit, they have been turned down as adopters for specific children several times and the rejection is taking its toll.  They talk frankly about losing confidence and the frustration of being turned down even when they thought they were a really good match.

 

Previous episodes

https://newfamilysocial.podbean.com/e/aaron-and-adam-return-with-good-news/


https://newfamilysocial.podbean.com/e/59-insert-title/

 

 

Joseph is a dual heritage gay man who was adopted as a baby by white parents.  As an adult, with his white partner, he fostered and then adopted a dual heritage child.  Joseph talks about his experiences as an adoptee and a foster carer and adopter.

A link to Red Dust Road can be found here

 

Alex and his husband moved to the UK from Eastern Europe, built their support network through New Family Social and then adopted two boys.  The last 18 months have had highs and lows.  Alex talks about their journey, how they're dealing with a problem at school and how they keep in touch with their children's four siblings.

John is the sole parent of two children ages 5 and 8.  For the last couple of years he's done filial therapy with them which is a type of play therapy delivered by parents/carers.  He talks about how it helps his children to communicate feelings they don't have words for.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_therapy

 

 

Chris and his husband are fostering-to-adopt a baby despite not having intended to take that route.  Chris talks about why they were initially put off by the uncertainty foster-to-adopt brings.  He also talks about their plan to have ongoing direct contact with the child's birth family.

Dave is a single carer and has been fostering teenagers since he started fostering during Covid.  He talks about creating a low-conflict home in which they can thrive.  He also talks about how he manages behaviour which some people find challenging.

Arjay and Tom adopted two year old twin girls 12 weeks ago. The had previously volunteered at New Family Social's summer camp to get childcare experience. This year they'll return with their children who they met at an exchange day. The girls had been born prematurely and that means there's some uncertainly about their health and development. The new dads are thrilled with their family life.