What if the key to a successful adoption match was simply being yourself? Libby and Cory Rhoads share their adoption journey, sharing their beliefs in creating an authentic profile book and building an open relationship with their daughter Penny's birth mom.

A 24-hour Matching

In this episode of Voices of Adoption, Voices of Adoption, host Donna Pope sits down with Libby Rhoads (Chief of Learning and Outreach at the United States Botanic Garden) and her husband Cory to share their complete adoption journey, starting their journey which began with fertility challenges and to matching with their daughter Penny's birth mother in under 24 hours.

Authentic Profiles and Honest Preferences

Libby and Cory explain what sets their adoption profile book apart from the rest, including candid photos, personal interests like Harry Potter and their dog, and a refusal to present a polished but inauthentic version of themselves. They also open up about the emotional weight of setting adoption preferences and the internal tension of wanting to help every child while being realistic about what they could support as a family.

Open Adoption and Community Connection

The couple describes how their ongoing relationship with Penny's birth mother has enriched their family, including annual FaceTime calls, regular updates through the Heart to Heart app, and a photo of her birth mom in Penny's room. They also talk about the value of finding an adoptive parent community in the DC area and how those connections have become a lasting source of support.

If you are considering adoption and want practical guidance on building an authentic profile, navigating the emotional side of preferences, and creating an open adoption that benefits everyone involved, this episode delivers the insights you need to take your next step with confidence.

#Adoption #AdoptiveParents #OpenAdoption #AdoptionProfile #AdoptionAdvice #AdoptionCommunity #AdoptionJourney #DomesticAdoption #AdoptionStory #HeartToHeartAdoptions #VoicesOfAdoption #AdoptionSupport #BirthMom #AdoptionMatching #AdoptionPreferences #FertilityToAdoption #AdoptionProfileBook #AdoptionWaitTimes #AdoptiveFamily #DCFamilies

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Early childhood educator Danielle Baker shares why defining family values and prioritizing unstructured play are the two things adoptive families need most.

Values and Play in Adoptive Families

Danielle Baker has spent years working with families navigating adoption, special needs, and complex transitions. As a registered early childhood educator and the founder of Being Connected eLearning Inc., she has seen firsthand what helps families stay strong and what quietly pulls them apart.

The Rudder That Guides Every Decision

In this episode of Voices of Adoption, host Donna Pope sits down with Danielle to explore why getting clear on family values is the single most important thing adoptive parents can do. Danielle explains that while most families share similar values such as honesty, respect, and love, the definitions of those values often differ in ways that create friction. She encourages families to write their own mission statement and revisit it regularly, just like organizations do during strategic planning.

Play Changes Everything

Danielle also makes a case for unstructured play as the most overlooked tool in an adoptive parent's toolkit. When children play freely, they drop their masks, express what they cannot say in words, and build the kind of connection that lasts a lifetime.

Subscribe to Voices of Adoption for more conversations with the people who are changing how we think about adoption, family, and connection. Listen to the full episode of Voices of Adoption to hear Danielle share her complete framework for helping adoptive families build stronger connections through values and play.

#Adoption #AdoptiveFamilies #FamilyValues #PlayMatters #ParentingTips #VoicesOfAdoption #OpenAdoption #AdoptionSupport #ChildDevelopment #EmotionalRegulation #TalkToDanielle #BeingConnected #DanielleCBaker #ConnectedParenting #BringingUpTheWorld #RECE #EarlyChildhoodEducation #ParentHealing #BreakingPatterns #SelfLeadership

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Kristina and Herbert Heagh-Avritt explain why education at home builds stronger attachment, better life skills, and more confidence for adopted children.

Rethinking Education for Adopted Children

Kristina Heagh-Avritt spent 27 years as a public school teacher before realizing she could make a bigger difference by working directly with parents. Together with her husband Herbert, she created Vibrant Family Education, a mentoring service that helps families take charge of their children's learning at home. Their approach centers on coaching and mentoring parents through every step of the transition.

Breaking Down the Myths

In this episode of Voices of Adoption, host Donna Pope sits down with Kristina and Herbert to tackle the three biggest myths that keep adoptive parents from considering education at home. They address the "weird homeschooler" stereotype, the fear that parents are not qualified to teach, and the belief that there simply is not enough time. Each myth gets dismantled with real stories and data.

A New Path for Adoptive Families

Herbert and Kristina explain why adopted children, especially those with trauma histories, often struggle in traditional classrooms and how bringing education home creates the safety and connection they need. They share practical steps to getting started, the real time commitment involved, and why colleges are actively recruiting homeschooled students. Their message to adoptive parents is simple: you are already your child's best teacher.

Listen to the full episode of Voices of Adoption to hear Kristina and Herbert share their complete framework for helping families reimagine education.

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