Stable Moments Podcast

Heal Yourself Heal the World Course: https://stablemoments.com/heal Many children who have experienced foster care, adoption, abuse, neglect, or developmental trauma carry complicated relationships with their memories. Some memories are painful. Others are joyful but feel confusing because they are connected to people or places that others have labeled as "bad." As caring adults, mentors, foster parents, teachers, and caregivers, we often avoid talking about a child's past because we're afraid of triggering them. But what if honoring positive memories is actually part of healing? In this episode of the Stable Moments Podcast, I explore why memories matter for children with developmental trauma and share one of our favorite trauma-informed mentorship activities: the Memory Rock Activity. You'll learn: • Why foster and adopted children often struggle to organize and make sense of memories • How positive memories support emotional regulation and self-worth • Why children need permission to honor the good moments from difficult chapters of life • How to use the Memory Rock Activity to create connection, grounding, and resilience • Ways mentors, foster parents, and caregivers can have meaningful conversations without acting as therapists Whether you're a mentor, foster parent, adoptive parent, educator, social worker, or simply someone who wants to make a difference in a child's life, this episode offers practical tools you can use immediately. 🎴 Meaningful Moments Cards: https://stablemoments.com/store 🌐 Learn more about Stable Moments: https://stablemoments.com  #FosterCare #TraumaInformed #DevelopmentalTrauma #TraumaInformedMentoring #FosterYouth #Adoption #ChildDevelopment #Mentorship #TraumaResponsive #FosterParenting #SocialWork #YouthMentoring #StableMoments #ChildhoodTrauma #EmotionalAwareness

Welcome to Stable Moments! In today's video, we're diving into essential life skills for young adults transitioning out of foster care. Our mentorship sessions are designed with trauma-informed, color-coded activities, but we understand the unique needs of youth preparing to enter adulthood. 🌟 What You'll Learn: Tailored Activities: Discover age-appropriate life skill activities specifically for youth aging out of foster care. Developing Strengths & Interests: Learn how to help kids identify their unique talents and passions. Career Development: Explore strategies for preparing for job interviews, resume building, and workplace etiquette. Financial Literacy: Understand the basics of budgeting, saving, and managing money effectively. Whether you're a mentor, caregiver, or advocate, this video is packed with practical tips and insights to support young adults on their journey to independence. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more valuable content from Stable Moments! Share your thoughts in the comments below—what life skills do you think are most important for youth transitioning into adulthood? #LifeSkills #FosterCare #Mentorship #StableMoments #FinancialLiteracy #CareerDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment

In this episode, I'll be delving into the concepts of Big T and little t trauma in the realm of trauma, especially as they pertain to our work with kids in foster care. Join me as we explore how understanding these distinctions can better equip us as mentors to support these children. We'll start by examining the origins of the Big T and little t terminology and how it has evolved over time. Through personal anecdotes and insights, I'll share how these labels may not accurately capture the full impact of trauma on individuals' lives. As mentors, it's crucial for us to recognize that trauma comes in various forms and sizes, and each child's experience is unique. By understanding the nuances of Big Ts and little ts, we can better empathize with the children we serve and provide more meaningful support. Throughout the episode, I'll share practical tips and strategies for mentors on how to show up for kids who have experienced both Big Ts and little ts. From creating safe spaces for self-expression to validating their experiences, we'll explore actionable ways mentors can make a positive difference in these children's lives. Join me as we navigate this important topic and learn how we can play a vital role in helping children in foster care heal from their past traumas and thrive in the present.

In this episode, we dive into the therapeutic power of mentorship for children with complex trauma. Explore 4 transformative ways mentors can heal trauma by showing up, demonstrating genuine interest, navigating relationships, and being positive role models. Discover the magic of mentorship in fostering resilience and healing for kids in need. 🌟 #ChildMentorship #TraumaHealing #MentorshipMagic 🔗 Don't miss our free webinar at stablemoments.com for more valuable insights. 👩‍💼 As a social worker, I realized the need for more than psychoeducation. Trauma-informed family therapy is fantastic, but some kids are therapied out. Stable Moments provides the active engagement and life skill development they need while healing trauma in essential ways. 🌈 Explore 4 Ways Mentorship is Therapeutic: 1️⃣ Showing Up: Rebuilding trust and integrity by consistently being there for a child who has experienced inconsistency. 2️⃣ Showing Interest: Fostering self-worth and building strengths by exploring a child's interests with curiosity and positivity. 3️⃣ Navigating a Relationship: Overcoming the challenges of relationships, mentors demonstrate enriching, genuine connections. 4️⃣ Being a Role Model: Providing a positive example of a caring, responsible human, shaping a child's aspirations and possibilities. 🌐 Learn more about our model at www.stablemoments.com. Join us in making a difference through mentorship! 🤝 #StableMoments #ChildDevelopment"

In this episode, Joan Ulsher shares how her traumatic childhood led her to be a child advocate and shares her new book Misplaced Childhood empowering others to become child advocates. After foster care, Joan is returned home and subjected to more abuse. How can she be saved? Misplaced Childhood chronicles one woman’s powerful journey to overcome a tragic past and use her “lived experiences” to inspire others. Wounded by poverty, child abuse, and foster care, Joan Ulsher discovers a purpose-filled life through military service and faith in God. This transformational journey of survival and triumph ultimately leads Joan to become a fierce volunteer advocate for children in foster care, despite not having a dedicated advocate as a child herself. Misplaced Childhood introduces readers to the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) model, where Joan continues exploring childhood memories while highlighting her exceptional advocacy journey shaped by the children whose lives are impacted along the way. With its candid look at child welfare and advocacy alongside a personal narrative of healing, Misplaced Childhood opens up new levels of compassion for children suffering from abuse and neglect. Impeccably researched and told with great transparency, empathy, and vulnerability, Misplaced Childhood will inspire readers to embrace the vulnerable inner child in us all and take action for America’s forgotten children. Check Joan out at www.joanulsher.com

On this week's episode we dive into some sticky situations submitted by Stable Moments locations. Many people ask "how does the approach look in action?" Here are some practical trauma-informed responses listeners can use when they are faced with sticky situations.

In this episode I break down how to build objectivity and open mindedness so you can show up more for those you serve, whether it be children in foster care, their parents, your volunteers or just people in general.