S2 E6- The Case That Broke Us: The Complex Grief of Foster Parenting

Claire sits down with Kirby, a nurse practitioner and former foster parent, for a heartfelt and honest conversation about the realities of foster care (also known as "resource parenting"), attachment, and grief. Kirby opens up about her and her wife’s journey into fostering and the critical importance of secure attachment for young children.Together, we delve into the hopes and heartbreaks that come with fostering, including the emotional toll of loving and saying goodbye, the complexities of identifying grief, and the challenges of navigating a deeply flawed system with limited resources. Kirby shares her personal experiences with one child in particular, whose comings and goings from their home shaped her understanding of loss, guilt, shame, and deep grief. Claire and Kirby also explore how grief in foster care is often overlooked or minimized, both within the foster care community and outside of it, and the ripple effects it can have on families, partnerships, and children. This episode is a candid, compassionate look at bearing witness to grief and reminding ourselves that all grief is worthy of being seen, heard, and felt. Stay Connected:Instagram: for behind-the-scenes content and community discussions.Website + Merch + Subscribe to the NewsletterJoin Echo Registry Waitlist: for our handwritten pen-pal support network.Download Free Ebook