Stepparenting 101: Debbie Ausburn Helps Us Understand Your Role in a Child's Life

In today's episode, Debbie Ausburn talks about the importance of being there for kids and always having their back - especially during times of divorce or when they are in foster care. She emphasizes the need for healthy boundaries while acknowledging the impact of trauma on children's lives. Debbie has a unique perspective on this as a former criminal prosecutor of crimes against children, social worker, current litigation attorney advising youth-serving organizations, and foster and step-parent.We also talked about the role of stepparents, mentors, and foster families in a child's life. We also learned about the dangers of grooming and how to protect kids from abuse. As a former prosecutor and advocate for children's rights, Debbie has extensive experience in helping children to deal with traumatic situations, including high-conflict divorces, and transitioning to having stepparents and different living arrangements through a divorce.Debbie also talks about the importance of a one-way commitment when taking care of kids, and to always be there for them, no matter what. Her message that we should all work together to protect and empower our kids is critical for anyone going through separation and divorce or professionals and parents working with children of any age.About the Guest:Debbie Ausburn is a social worker turned lawyer who has worked with youth-serving organizations for more than 40 years. She has served as a camp counselor, juvenile court probation officer, group home parent, criminal prosecutor of crimes against children, and litigation attorney advising youth-serving organizations throughout the United States.Her most important challenges, however, have been parenting foster children and stepchildren. She has never had biological children, but she has collected seven children and ten grandchildren.She has put the lessons that her children taught her in her recent book Raising Other People’s Children: What Foster Parenting Taught Me about Bringing Together a Blended Family. To connect with Debbie:Website: www.DebbieAusburn.comBook: RaisingOtherPeoplesChildren.comFacebook: @OtherPeoplesChildrenLLCIG: @DebbieAusburnLinkedIn.com/company/other-people’s-children-llc About the Host:Mardi Winder-Adams is an ICF and BCC Executive and Leadership Coach, Certified Divorce Transition Coach, and a Credentialed Distinguished Mediator in Texas. She has worked with women in executive, entrepreneur, and leadership roles navigating personal, life, and professional transitions. She is the founder of Positive Communication Systems, LLC. To find out more about divorce coaching: www.divorcecoach4women.comInterested in learning more about your divorce priorities? Take the quiz "Find Out Your #1 Priority to Cut Through the Fog of Divorce". Connect with Mardi on Social Media:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Divorcecoach4womenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mardiwinderadams/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcecoach4women/ Thanks for listening!Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!Subscribe to the podcastIf you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.Leave us an Apple Podcasts reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.