Episode 3: Surrogacy and What People Don’t Always See

Episode 7 - Parenting Later in Life

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2559836/fan_mail/new] Parenting little boys later in life feels different, not because it’s easier, but because experience changes how you see things. In this episode, I reflect on how age and life experience reshaped my approach to parenting. From letting go of urgency and perfection, to understanding regulation, movement, and connection, I share what truly changed for me in this season of raising young boys. I also talk about why we chose homeschooling for our family. This episode is for parents who feel like they’re parenting differently than they once did, questioning old rules, or learning to trust steadiness over perfection. It’s a reminder that experience is a gift, and that you’re allowed to evolve alongside your children. Resources mentioned in this episode: 📖 Letting Go of the Perfect Mom Myth — https://theankerhomestead.blog/2025/11/10/letting-go-of-the-perfect-mom-myth/

Episode 6 - Divorce, Healing and Blended Families

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2559836/fan_mail/new] In this episode, I reflect on what divorce and blending a family taught me over time, not in hindsight perfection, but in lived experience. I share what I would do differently now: slowing down, holding boundaries earlier, trusting time more, and letting go of the belief that exhaustion equals strength. We talk about how kids don’t need perfect transitions, they need emotional safety, and how blending a family isn’t a single decision, but thousands of small moments shaped by patience and consistency. I also share why staying open, even in the face of rejection, mattered more than self-protection, and why choosing quiet perseverance was worth it. If you’re navigating divorce, co-parenting, or the long, unseen work of building trust, this episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t have to be rushed, and that staying open is an act of courage.

Episode 5: Love Isn’t Soft — Boundaries, Repair, and Showing Up

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2559836/fan_mail/new] Love isn’t about being permissive or controlling, it’s about showing up with steadiness and care. In this episode, I talk about how supportive guidance, consistent boundaries, and repair after hard moments help kids feel safe coming to us instead of shutting down. This conversation is for parents and blended families who want to lead with compassion, hold firm without being harsh, and build trust over time, even when parenting feels heavy. For more reflections on letting go of perfection and parenting with intention, check out the blog post: https://theankerhomestead.blog/2025/11/10/letting-go-of-the-perfect-mom-myth/

Episode 4: Sibling Groups in Foster Care & Parenting Kids With Trauma

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2559836/fan_mail/new] Sibling groups are a reality for many children entering foster care, yet they’re often misunderstood. In this episode, I share what we’ve learned fostering sibling groups and parenting children impacted by trauma , how siblings provide comfort and familiarity, how trauma shows up in everyday behavior, and why accountability without shame matters so much. This is an honest, experience-based conversation about safety, consistency, and showing up for kids who carry more than they should have to, without pretending there are easy answers.

Episode 3: Surrogacy and What People Don’t Always See

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2559836/fan_mail/new] Surrogacy is often talked about in simple terms, but the reality is layered and deeply human. In this episode, I share our surrogacy journey, why we chose it, what it looked like in real life, and the emotional complexity that comes with carrying a child for someone else. This is an honest conversation about trust, boundaries, and love, beyond the headlines and assumptions.