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by Sheila K Chester
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- Aug 16, 20231h 3m
Exploring the Complexities of Adoption with Lori Holden
Lori Holden, a veteran parent of two young young adults, writes at LavenderLuz.com and hosts the podcast Adoption: The Long View. She’s the author of the acclaimed book The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption (recommended by People magazine in 2021), written with her daughter’s birth mom. Her book is featured on adoption-agency required-reading lists across the country. She has keynoted and presented at adoption conferences around the US and Canada, and she is available to coach families through tricky adoption situations. In 2018, she was honored as an Angel in Adoption® by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Her new book, Adoption Unfiltered, co-written with adoptee Sara Easterly and birth mom Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard, will be available in late 2023. Lori and her family live in Denver, CO.
- Jul 25, 202353 min
Viviana Colleli - Journey of Adaptation
Viviana Colelli is a multi-talented individual with a passion for photography and education. As a mother of two young children, Viviana balances her role as a parent while pursuing her career. With a loving husband by her side for the past decade, she finds joy in nurturing her family and cultivating a strong bond. Viviana's versatile skills have led her to teach photography at a college level, sharing her expertise and enthusiasm with aspiring photographers. This new opportunity has sparked excitement in her life, motivating her to continue honing her craft. But Viviana's ambitions don't end there. She is also embarking on a new venture as the host of a podcast tailored to immigrant mothers. Through her podcast, she aims to address the challenges faced by these mothers in connecting with their true selves while simultaneously managing the demands of raising children. Originally from Colombia, Viviana takes pride in her cultural heritage. This Colombian-born mother, photographer, educator, and podcast host is determined to make a positive impact in the lives of immigrant mothers and beyond.
- Jul 18, 202358 min
Episode 21: Janell Hirschoff on Finding Strength in Faith and Family
Janell opens up about her journey as a parent and her experiences raising a child with a chronic illness. She shares the challenges and emotions that come with parenting a child with cancer, as well as the strength and resilience she has found through her faith in God. She bravely discusses her own battles with mental health and how she has navigated the ups and downs of life while being a caretaker for her children. Through heartfelt storytelling and vulnerability, Janell imparts her wisdom and insights on how to find hope, acceptance, and joy in the face of adversity. She reminds us that there is no manual for parenting a child with a chronic disease, but by doing the best we can with the information we have, we can create a loving and supportive environment for our children. Join us as we dive deep into topics such as parenting, faith, mental health, and finding purpose in the midst of challenging circumstances. This episode is filled with touching anecdotes, relatable experiences, and a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles.
- Jul 11, 202351 min
Gabrielle Crichlow: Overcoming Obstacles in Education
On this episode of Raising Grace Podcast, we have the privilege of speaking with Gabrielle Crichlow, the owner and director of A Step Ahead Tutoring Services. Gabrielle shares her journey from Trinidad and Tobago to the United States, and how her experiences in the American education system shaped her perspective on school. Gabrielle discusses the differences she noticed between the American and Trinidadian education systems, from date formats to spelling variations. She opens up about her parents' generation, who view school as simpler back in their day, and the challenges they perceive in today's education system. School-related issues, such as low self-esteem, anger, and yelling from parents, are plaguing many students. As an educator and tutor, Gabrielle's role is to help students navigate these challenges and understand the importance of education. While she acknowledges that not all students will love school, she teaches them to view it as important and helps them set and achieve their own goals. By understanding students' motivations and creating personalized strategies, Gabrielle supports students in their educational journey. Gabrielle emphasizes the impact of outside factors on a student's attitude towards education, such as family dynamics, social influences, and health. She believes in meeting students where they are and fostering an environment of love, grace, and patience. Using creative and fun methods, like incorporating videos and games, can help motivate kids to engage with homework. Finding a balance between being strict and flexible, Gabrielle encourages parents and educators to understand kids' motivations and create middle ground solutions, like allocating time for video games in exchange for completing homework. By meeting kids in their own space and understanding their motivations, we can create a better engagement with homework and ultimately support their overall well-being. Join us on this insightful episode of Raising Grace Podcast as we dive deep into understanding the challenges students face in their educational journey and how we can support them to achieve their goals. Follow A Step Ahead Tutoring Services: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Eventbrite | Website | Podcast
- Jun 13, 20231h 1m
Cheryl Barker: A single parents journey of fostering over 100 children
Hi, I'm Sheila Kay Chester, and I'm excited to welcome you to the Racing Grace podcast. As a mother of three, I do not know what I am doing. I know firsthand the joys and challenges that come with raising Children in today's world. But I don't know if I'm doing it the right way on this podcast. I sit down with parents and professionals of all walks of life to talk about everything from the latest parenting trends to navigating difficult situations with our kids. We'll cover it all from the highs to the lows and provide you with valuable insights and maybe even some advice that would work for you and your own family. So whether you're a new parent, a seasoned veteran or just someone interested in learning more. Join me on the Raising Grace podcast. Hey, all in this episode, we will hear from Cheryl Barker. Cheryl is a foster and adoptive parent who has dedicated her life to helping Children in need of stability and care from overcoming personal health challenges while taking care of her special needs Children to navigating the complexities of the foster care system. Cheryl has experienced it all along the way. She has learned valuable lessons about giving herself grace while supporting the emotional needs of the Children in her care. Join us as Cheryl shares her inspiring journey and provides insights into the realities of the foster care system. Oh, who is your family that you live with? Who are the people that you consider your family? Oh, ok. Uh I'm a single parent of three adopted kids, three long term kids and I took guardianship of three. And then I also have, uh, former foster kids that be back into my life and need a leg up. And so I'm trying to be there for them too. So right now it's just currently, Shane is 24. Soon to be 25. Tyler just turned 16 in November. He lives here and I have a 17 year old adopted son. He has been in treatment for three years and he graduated from high school January and he's going to start job Corp next month. That's great. Congratulations, mom. You did it. So you, the reason I wanted to interview you is because you have, I remember when you started to foster kids and that wasn't a thing that a lot of people did in our, in our small town so that you were the one that kind of taught me about adoption because I didn't know what that was before. Oh, yes. So how, when did you start adopting and why, or fostering? And why did you start doing that. Ok, I started, uh, well, I first started teaching down on the reservation and 19 89 1 of my students was being abused. So I had called social services and they came and interviewed her and after they were done interviewing the social worker came in and said, ok, we just need to fill out this paperwork and da da da and I'm like, what, what, what are you, what, wait, wait, what, what are you talking about? And she says, well, so, and so said she's gonna come live with you and I'm like, uh, that, that can't happen. Um, she can't come live with me. I, I'm making $800 a month wages and my propane bill is $400 wages. And I still have to call my parents to help me out in between because I'm living in this rickety old trailer house that sucks up the gas bills. And so anyway, she was very, very bummed. So then I got out of the reservation and moved to my hometown and I said, well, I've always wanted to be mother of lots of Children. And if I wasn't an, a parent by 30 I was going to foster. Well, then the end of July, I had one girl for approximately a week from out of town and then August 12th, 1993 I get a phone call. I take a brother and sister and I'm like, sure I can do this and I was working down at Nelson's as a summertime evening cook and the social worker showed up with these two kids and my mouth, I'm sure I kept stepping on it because my mouth just dropped open and I'm like, what did I do this time? So I'm like, ok, ok, so I got these two very, not real clean kids and they gave me these biggest hugs and these very thick, thick glasses. And the first thing Conrad said, are you going to be my new mom? I'm like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa I said you're gonna stay with me for a while. Well, can I call you mom? I said, no, you can't call me mom. You can call me Cheryl. So the next week their attorney came and interviewed them and there she was getting ready to leave and she asked the kids, do you, do you have any questions? And Conrad beeped up and said, yes, can I call her mom now? And the social worker says, well, I don't see why not. I said, well, this is supposed to be a short term thing. And uh she said, well, I don't think it, it matters if, if you're comfortable with it. And I'm like, ok, so that was 30 years ago and he's still calling me mom. I remember Conrad. He was so he was one of your first placements. Yeah, Conrad and Autumn. Ok. I have Shannon for like five days, but that was just k
- Jun 7, 202355 min
Sandra Cooze: Journey to Your Self
On this episode, Sandra Cooze shares her perspectives on parenting, overcoming trauma, and rebuilding relationships. She discusses how she and her husband teach their son about honesty and owning up to mistakes. Additionally, Sandra talks about bullying, both her experience and her son’s, sharing the importance of focusing on being with the child and handling trauma with a professional. She also speaks about how to deal with trauma triggers, breaking down past troubling experiences, and rebuilding trust. Overall, this episode offers a lot of helpful and useful information on overcoming trauma and parenting with understanding, compassion, and love.
- May 30, 202340 min
Episode 17: Jessica Tagler
Sheila Chester [00:00:00]:All right, Jessica, why don't we just get started having our conversation? Can you tell me tell me who your family is?Jessica Tagler [00:00:08]:My family is my son King, who is twelve, and my daughter Ajana, who will be 17 this month, and my dog Jack. Jack, who I love dearly.Sheila Chester [00:00:20]:Do you have any, like, close friends or family where you live?Jessica Tagler [00:00:25]:So my sister is not far from me, my sister Genevieve. My friends are not close, however, but they did just fly in to see me last weekend all the way from South Dakota and New Mexico. So I've got amazing friends, but they're not close to me.Sheila Chester [00:00:41]:They do love you, don't they? I see your Facebook feed all the time. You guys spend probably three weekends a year or more together, don't you?Jessica Tagler [00:00:50]:Oh, yeah, we try to, definitely.Sheila Chester [00:00:53]:Why don't we dive into that friendship? Because you guys have all been connected through some interesting circumstances your entire lives.Jessica Tagler [00:01:00]:Yeah, absolutely. How long have you known them? More than 30 years. I think it starts in the fourth grade. Long time. We've been through a lot together. We have experienced some pretty amazing things together, and they've experienced amazing things in their lives, and it's just been quite a journey with all of them.Sheila Chester [00:01:27]:So how did your journey as a mother start?Jessica Tagler [00:01:31]:Well, as a biological mother, it started when I was 17. I had gotten pregnant in high school with my daughter Allison, who just celebrated her 25th birthday. It's fine, it's fine. She came along actually my senior year, about three months before I graduated high school. And I ended up giving her up for adoption. And we reconnected when she turned 18. She looked me up on Facebook and was able to find me by looking up my name, but it had been a closed adoption for 18 years. I had no idea where she was living. I was corresponding with her adoptive family through an adoption agency in South Dakota, and so I would see pictures and get letters and such, but I finally got to see her or talk to her through text messaging when she turned 18. We have yet to talk on the phone and we have yet to meet slowly but surely. And I'm just waiting for her whenever she's ready.Sheila Chester [00:02:38]:Doing the closed adoption and not really knowing how she's doing. So how did you get through that time?Jessica Tagler [00:02:47]:It was extremely emotional time, especially right after she was born. I did have the support of my mom always, which was good, and my friends. But I think just receiving those letters and pictures and knowing in my heart of hearts that she was doing very well, it was a good feeling just to know that she was being well taken care of. And she said, thank you for giving me such a good life. I have had a great life, and thank you so much for giving birth to me because there was a point, a very short point in time where I was considering an abortion just because of the guilt and shame and fear that's associated with teen pregnancy. But by the grace of God, that did not happen, and she was very grateful for that as well.Sheila Chester [00:03:38]:I'm going to tell this cute little story. I remember when you were pregnant in high school. We went to high school together because we did this prom dress exchange, and you were probably seven or eight months pregnant and trying on all of the dresses in Miss Cavell's room and just laughing hysterically. And the joy. I'll never forget that day, just like I did not see the shame in your face. You were always laughing. You're always laughing. That's wonderful.Jessica Tagler [00:04:18]:Mrs. Philvell was a huge also support system during that whole time. She was very light hearted teacher, and she really gave me good advice. And she'd always say, every time I was complaining because I did that quite a bit, she would say, Jessica, you're just pregnant. That's only thing that's wrong with you. And I'm like, I don't feel good. No, you're just pregnant. She was amazing. Love her.Sheila Chester [00:04:45]:What was your experience with the rest of the school? Because it was a really small school that we went to and a really small town, so there's no secrets. You can't keep secrets.Jessica Tagler [00:04:55]:Well, everyone was very kind to my face, but when you are a young girl that's pregnant in high school, there's always that gossiping, especially in a small school, gossiping, talking behind your back, making their judgments. And of course, nobody did it to me, but there's always just that stigma that goes with it, you know what I mean? I was very grateful for the people that were close to me during that ti
- May 9, 202349 min
Episode 16: Dr Kim Dwyer
Dr. Kim Dwyer is a mother of three boys ages 14, 18, and 21. She owns her own therapy practice, is an author and an artist. Kims work as a mother and a counselor is rooted in the belief that by managing and tolerating uncomfortable emotions, we can live intentionally, in accordance with our value systems. Kim talks about her experience going through stressful pregnancies and dealing with hard emotions as a parent. Check out her website at www.drkimdwyer.comThere you will also find her books. My kids and I love her childrens' book called “Rocky’s Christmas Journey”. You can find more information including the show notes at my website www.sheilakchester.com Please follow me on social media. Facebook or InstagramThank you listeners! If you liked this podcast, please rate and review wherever you listen to your podcast. If you loved this podcast, donate to my patreon account.
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About Raising Grace
Sheila Chester is a mother of three children, two of whom came through adoption and one through fertility treatments. Her 11-year struggle to fulfill her dream of becoming a mother is what drives her to learn more about other parents. What makes us so unique? As parents, it sometimes feels like we are raising kids alone. However, the truth is that many families experience similar struggles and joys. Let's share our chaotic and wonderful lives as parents. We raise our children differently, but we all have one thing in common: we love them fiercely. Take a listen, and you may find a parent who shares your struggles or successes. As parents, we can be tough on ourselves. Let's come together to recognize that raising kids deserves a large amount of grace—for both ourselves and our children. Being a parent is hard. How can we raise our children with grace in the toughest of times? How can we, as parents of young children, unite and encourage each other to see our children with grace and und
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