The big day is finally here…you’ve matched with an expectantmom, and the baby is on the way! It’s go time! What does the hospital stay entail? What are ways to make the most of your time with baby’s biological family? Today we are joined by two Birth Mom Advocates from Heart to Heart Adoptions, Haley & Kathy, who share from their wealth of experience working with both birth families and adoptive parents.

Welcome to the Adoption Side By Side Podcast - because noone should have to walk the adoption journey alone! We are so glad you're here! <3 ~Steph & Andrea

Find us on Instagram at @adoptionsidebyside.

Our intro and outro music is from the creators at TuneTank -

Track: On The Way Home by Evan Splash

https://tunetank.com/track/425-on-the-way-home/

Today we are joined by a mother of two children, Becky Merryman, who walks us through her adoption journey and raising her sons from newborns to adulthood. Becky currently serves as the Domestic Adoption Program Coordinator at Building Arizona Families. Both her experience as an adoptive parent and adoption professional have led to some wonderful insights on navigating adoption with your children and within your own heart.

Welcome to the Adoption Side By Side Podcast - because no one should have to walk the adoption journey alone! We are so glad you're here!<3 ~Steph & Andrea

Find us on Instagram at @adoptionsidebyside.

Our intro and outro music is from the creators at TuneTank -

Track: On The Way Home by Evan Splash

https://tunetank.com/track/425-on-the-way-home/

No one likes to wait…whether we’re a kid (…or parent!)waiting for Christmas morning, or a family hoping that this is the last holiday season without a child in their home. Today we discuss some things we did to help ease this time of waiting, as well as some of the thoughts & emotions surroundingthis season of life. No matter where you are in this journey to parenthood...know that you are not alone.

Welcome to the Adoption Side By Side Podcast - because noone should have to walk the adoption journey alone! We are so glad you're here!<3 ~Steph & Andrea

Find us on Instagram at @adoptionsidebyside.

Our intro and outro music is from the creators at TuneTank -

Track: On The Way Home by Evan Splash

https://tunetank.com/track/425-on-the-way-home/

What exactly IS a profile book and why is it crucial to theprivate adoption journey? What should be included, and what things should be avoided? How do you showcase your lives in photos & words in a way that makes your family stand out to expectant moms making an adoption plan? To answerthese questions and many more, we are joined by Erica, Profile Book Designer from Journey Adoption Consultants, as she shares her heart for helping connect biological & adoptive families.

Welcome to the Adoption Side By Side Podcast - because noone should have to walk the adoption journey alone! We are so glad you're here!<3 ~Steph & Andrea

Find us on Instagram at @adoptionsidebyside.

Our intro and outro music is from the creators at TuneTank -

Track: On The Way Home by Evan Splash

https://tunetank.com/track/425-on-the-way-home/

The home study process can sound intimidating…collecting allthe needed documents, having an in-person interview & house visit, and obtaining physicals and references. Today we are joined by caseworker Molly Childs, with 24 years of experience in the adoption & foster social work field (andcurrently working for Caring Adoption Associates of Pennsylvania). Molly sheds light on the process, both the reasoning behind the process and taking the mystery out of what you need to do to prepare your documentation & yourhome. Your caseworker isn’t seeking to “pass or fail” you…they are helping you on your journey to parenthood!

Welcome to the Adoption Side By Side Podcast - because noone should have to walk the adoption journey alone! We are so glad you're here! <3 ~Steph & Andrea

Find us on Instagram at @adoptionsidebyside.

Our intro and outro music is from the creators at TuneTank -

Track: On The Way Home by Evan Splash

https://tunetank.com/track/425-on-the-way-home/

We are joined by a special guest, Sarah, who made thecourageous decision to place her son for adoption. Sarah shares what open adoption looks like from the perspective of a birth mother, highlighting both the positive and difficult moments. We invite you to check out Sarah’s Instagram account, FirstMotherWrites, where she documents her own journey and provides insight through the eyes of someone profoundly impacted by adoption.

Welcome to the Adoption Side By Side Podcast - because no one should have to walk the adoption journey alone! We are so glad you're here! <3 ~Steph & Andrea

Find us on Instagram at @adoptionsidebyside.

Our intro and outro music is from the creators at TuneTank -

Track: On The Way Home by Evan Splash

https://tunetank.com/track/425-on-the-way-home/

Welcome to the Adoption Side By Side Podcast - because noone should have to walk the adoption journey alone!

In today's episode, we discuss the financial aspect of privateinfant adoption…including answering a question we are commonly asked: WHY is adoption so expensive? We then share our tips and experiences on how to fund aprivate adoption, covering three major categories: your own earnings/savings, fundraising, and grants.

We are so glad you're here! <3 ~Steph & Andrea

Find us on Instagram at @adoptionsidebyside.

Our intro and outro music is from the creators at TuneTank -

Track: On The Way Home by Evan Splash

https://tunetank.com/track/425-on-the-way-home/

Welcome to the Adoption Side By Side Podcast - because noone should have to walk the adoption journey alone!

In today's episode, guest Bre Starks joins us to talk about herrole as an adoption consultant and to answer questions such as:
What is the difference between open, semi open, and closed adoption?
How does choosing a consultant group differ from signing up with an adoption agency?
How many adoptive families do you work with at one time, and how many cases do those families receive?
And more!

Bre works for Journey Adoption Consultants. To learn moreabout their services, visit their webpage at https://journeyadoptionconsultants.com or follow them on Instagram.

We are so glad you're here! <3 ~Steph & Andrea

Find us on Instagram at @adoptionsidebyside.

Our intro and outro music is from the creators at TuneTank -

Track: On The Way Home by Evan Splash

https://tunetank.com/track/425-on-the-way-home/