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What if you could transform your sleep quality and wake up feeling truly refreshed? Discover the secrets to healthy sleep habits and routines that can make this a reality. Nicole dives into the importance of sleep for foster and adoptive parents by creating routine like morning activities like walking outside and getting sunlight, as well as evening habits such as limiting food intake after certain hours and using blue light glasses. Personal tips, like listening to a sleep time devotion and tracking sleep patterns, are shared to help you create a restful environment. Plus, join the conversation on Instagram at Nicole T Barlow and share your sleep tips, as Nicole reveals her favorite sleep items throughout the week. Let's achieve better sleep and well-being for our entire families together.

Music/Storytime for kids:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-word-and-song-listening-bible-genesis-exodus/594001132

https://music.apple.com/us/album/kingdom-chronicles/598265773

https://music.apple.com/us/album/coldheartica/920524795

Get $30 off Beam Dream!
https://share.shopbeam.com/nicolebarlow

Connect with me on Instagram: @Fosterparentwell
@nicoletbarlow https://www.instagram.com/nicoletbarlow/
Website: https://nicoletbarlow.com/

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Have you ever wondered what it takes to build resilience and hope amidst the complexities of the foster care and adoption system? Join us as we sit down with the inspiring Raquel McCloud, who opens up about her incredible journey from a child in kinship care to a kinship adoptive mom. Raquel’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, healing, and hope, and she shares invaluable insights on the importance of stable and supportive caregivers. From her emotional reunion with her 21-year-old daughter to the transformation of her Instagram account into a platform for sharing family adventures, Raquel's narrative is both poignant and empowering.

Website: https://www.mccloudlife.com/

Newsletter/podcast: https://mccloudlife.substack.com

Raquel's Newest Book: https://www.amazon.com/Every-Moment-Before-This-One-ebook/dp/B0DCTT3945/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=vskFS&content-id=amzn1.sym.f76d456a-cb0d-44de-b7b0-670c26ce80ba&pf_rd_p=f76d456a-cb0d-44de-b7b0-670c26ce80ba&pf_rd_r=133-2639276-6449820&pd_rd_wg=b4tXF&pd_rd_r=5063b128-d3d7-48dc-9848-c06514517cf1&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk

Other Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Raquel-McCloud/author/B0B1XJ95D9?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1725482113&sr=8-2&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Connect with me on Instagram: @Fosterparentwell
@nicoletbarlow https://www.instagram.com/nicoletbarlow/
Website: https://nicoletbarlow.com/

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Have you ever wondered how fostering can transform a family's dynamics and individual lives? Join us on today's Foster Parent Well podcast as we welcome Daniela Coates, a licensed master social worker from Texas with a profoundly personal connection to the world of foster care. Daniela's unique upbringing in a foster family, inspired by her father's volunteer work, offers rare, emotional insights into the integral role of birth children in fostering decisions. Hear how her childhood experiences shaped her understanding of family and care, and discover why it's crucial to include birth kids in the foster care journey.

Communication is key within foster families, and Daniela's story underscores this beautifully. She shares candid anecdotes about how her parents navigated the highs and lows of fostering, keeping the family mission alive while ensuring every child's voice was heard. Learn the significance of open dialogues, involving children in decisions, and maintaining individual connections to strengthen family bonds. Daniela’s reflections will resonate with anyone looking to balance family dynamics while embracing the rewarding, yet challenging, path of foster care.

We'll also explore the intricacies of birth order and sibling dynamics in foster care. Using relatable metaphors and strategies, Daniela guides us through integrating new children into existing family structures without causing disruption. From ensuring one-on-one time with birth kids to employing the "three R's"—rest, reconnect, and reassess—this episode is packed with practical advice for maintaining family stability.

Social Media:
Instagram - @with_siblings and @daniela.coats

Facebook - facebook.com/withsiblingsTX

Book: https://a.co/d/5F68Vso

Connect with me on Instagram: @Fosterparentwell
@nicoletbarlow https://www.instagram.com/nicoletbarlow/
Website: https://nicoletbarlow.com/