When Mother’s Day Feels Complicated

Slow Summers & Simple Rhythms

Summer at home can be beautiful, slow, challenging, healing, and surprisingly meaningful, especially for foster and adoptive families. In this episode, we talk about why some families choose to stay home during the summer and how to create connection, rhythm, and fun without the pressure to constantly travel or entertain. We share practical ideas for simple summer routines, managing sensory needs, creating memorable moments at home, and lowering expectations in a healthy way. Whether your summer is full of backyard water play, library trips, or just trying to survive the long days with kids home all day, we hope this episode encourages you. Don’t forget to Like, Follow, & Share! Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/beyondthehomestudy/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577070186649], & our website [https://www.yourehomenetwork.com/]

"On the Road Again" | Summer Travel Tips

Traveling with kids can be beautiful, stressful, meaningful, and unpredictable all at the same time—especially for adoptive families. In this re-release episode, we revisit our conversation about traveling with flexibility, realistic expectations, and grace for both parents and kids. We share practical tips for road trips, routines, snacks, sleep, entertainment, and creating felt safety while away from home. Whether you’re planning a summer vacation or just surviving a weekend away, we hope this episode encourages you. Next week, we’ll follow up with a brand new episode all about staying home with kids during the summer. Don’t forget to Like, Follow, & Share! Instagram, Facebook, & our website!

When Mother’s Day Feels Complicated

Mother’s Day can bring joy, gratitude, and celebration, but for many, it can also bring grief, longing, guilt, overwhelm, or complicated emotions. In this episode, we’re having an honest conversation about what it looks like when you don’t feel like celebrating Mother’s Day. We talk about the different experiences that can make this day difficult for adoptive moms, foster moms, biological moms, adoptees, and those navigating infertility, loss, or strained relationships. We also discuss the pressure to feel thankful or happy, and why making space for the hard emotions matters too. Whether Mother’s Day is a joyful day for you, a painful one, or a mix of both, we hope this episode helps you feel seen and less alone. Don’t forget to Like, Follow, & Share! Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/beyondthehomestudy/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577070186649], & our website [https://www.yourehomenetwork.com/]!

Adoptee, a National Director, & Raising 13 Kids | A Conversation with Sara

In this episode, we sit down with Sara, National Director of Family Recruitment and Retention at a large child welfare agency, adoptee, and adoptive mom of 13, for a conversation that brings together both professional expertise and deeply lived experience. Sara offers a rare perspective on adoption and foster care, shaped not only by her leadership in the child welfare system but also by her own story as someone who has experienced adoption from multiple angles. We talk about what it really takes to recruit and support families, where the system is working, and where there are still gaps. This conversation goes beyond policy and process. You won't want to miss it! Don't forget to Like, Follow, & Share! Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/beyondthehomestudy/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577070186649], and our website [https://www.yourehomenetwork.com/].

Wins, Woes, & What's Happening | April Update

Welcome back to our not-so-regular monthly life download. In this episode, we’re sharing our personal wins from April, the things that stretched us (because there’s always something), and what’s currently unfolding in our day-to-day lives. We also chat through what’s been on our minds lately and the little things helping us unwind when we’re running on empty. It’s honest, a little all over the place, and exactly the kind of conversation we’d be having if you were sitting on the couch with us. Don’t forget to Like, Follow, & Share! Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/beyondthehomestudy/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577070186649], & our website [https://www.yourehomenetwork.com/]