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On this episode, we sit down with Emma Fulenwider—author, literary agent, TEDx speaker, and mother navigating the complexities of modern parenting—to explore what it truly means to belong in a world full of pressure, perfectionism, and plastic toys. Emma shares her personal journey from being an "odd kid" who learned to mimic others to fit in, to rediscovering herself in her thirties by embracing authenticity. She opens up about the quiet crisis many moms face today: the loss of mentorship, the overwhelming culture of parenting schools of thought, and the isolating experience of raising kids in a world ruled by algorithms and Amazon wishlists. Most compellingly, Emma discusses her controversial but life-giving decision to remove almost all toys from her home—a move that not only reset her children’s creativity and well-being but also brought her own mental health back into balance. It's a bold conversation about motherhood, minimalism, and meaning in the digital age. Whether you're a parent, a writer, or just someone trying to find your place in the chaos, this episode offers both challenge and comfort.

Key Takeaways:

• Authenticity Beats Assimilation
  Emma's journey reveals the cost of muting your uniqueness to fit in. After years of trying to be "normal," she found freedom in embracing who she truly is—and encourages others to do the same.
• Belonging Isn’t Sameness
  Real belonging, Emma says, comes not from being like everyone else but from being accepted as yourself. It's a powerful distinction for moms navigating identity, expectations, and community.
• Modern Motherhood Is Isolated
  Many mothers today lack real-time mentorship. Generational shifts, geographic distance, and career demands have disrupted the chain of caregiving wisdom that once passed naturally between women.
• Parenting Has Become Academic and Divisive
  From sleep training to screen time, today’s moms often choose parenting "schools of thought" and defend them like ideologies. This has made parenting feel more competitive and isolating than collaborative.
• Toys Aren’t Always Tools
  Emma’s decision to remove most toys from her home wasn’t just about clutter—it was about reclaiming creativity, space, and calm. The result? Better play, better sleep, better family dynamics.
• Kids Don't Need More Stuff—They Need More Space to Imagine
  With fewer distractions, children often become more independent, creative, and emotionally regulated. Emma’s own kids began playing deeper, longer, and more imaginatively without excess toys.
• Moms Need Support—Not Just More Advice
  From a “Target pit stop” fantasy to real talk about mental overload, Emma emphasizes that exhausted moms don't need another task. They need presence, compassion, and permission to rest.
• Instincts Are Learned Through Mentorship
  Emma challenges the myth of “mother’s instinct,” arguing that it’s not innate but built through experience and modeling—something many moms today are forced to do alone or via Google.
• Gift-Giving Can Be Reimagined
  Her work on gift guides and intentional consumption encourages parents to rethink the culture of materialism and choose gifts that are useful, creative, or consumable—rather than defaulting to toys.
• Storytelling Is Legacy Work
  Emma’s TED Talk and publishing work underscore the importance of preserving life stories—not just for reflection, but for generational wisdom. In a world with fewer shared dinners, writing becomes remembrance.

https://www.wordserveliterary.com
https://patreon.com/toyfree
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B09KVM4G5Q

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In this deeply moving episode, Sherrie Eldridge welcomes Amy Vantine, a mother, educator, and co-founder of RAD Advocates, to share her harrowing and inspiring journey of parenting a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). From her early dreams of motherhood to the trauma, confusion, and eventual heartbreak of dissolving an adoption, Amy opens up about the realities few talk about—and the healing mission she’s now embraced to support other families walking a similar path.

Key Takeaways:

• Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) Is Often Misunderstood: Children with RAD may appear well-behaved in public or clinical settings but exhibit severe behavioral challenges at home, leading to parental confusion and blame.
• Love Alone Isn’t Always Enough: Amy shared that her nurturing and affection, while well-intentioned, often triggered her daughter’s trauma response instead of helping, highlighting the unique complexities of RAD.
• Caregivers Are Frequently Unsupported—and Blamed: Many parents of children with RAD are dismissed or seen as the problem by professionals, intensifying their isolation and mental health strain.
• Parenting Children with RAD Can Severely Impact the Entire Family: Amy candidly described the toll on her marriage, her other children, and her own mental health, including PTSD, due to constant hypervigilance and emotional trauma.
• There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Therapy: Despite trying every recommended therapy and intervention, Amy found that conventional approaches failed, often making things worse rather than better.
• RAD Advocates Was Born Out of Necessity: Amy co-founded RAD Advocates to fill a critical gap, offering tailored support to families, educating professionals, and advocating for systemic change.
• It’s Okay to Make Hard Decisions: Ultimately, Amy made the painful decision to dissolve the adoption to protect her daughter, her family, and herself—a choice many struggle to understand or talk about.
• Empowering Parents Is Key to Helping Children: RAD Advocates focuses on parent well-being first, believing that healthy, informed caregivers are the foundation for better outcomes.

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In this episode, Sherrie invites Tova J. Kreps, licensed social worker and co-founder of Wellspring Counseling, to discuss the complexities of adoption, trauma recovery, and the power of faith in navigating these challenges. Tova shares her inspiring journey, shaped by her upbringing in a missionary family, her personal experience with adoption, and her decades of professional work helping families navigate the complexities of trauma and mental health. Together, they explore the unique challenges adoptive parents face, the importance of setting healthy boundaries, and the profound need for self-care and support in times of crisis.

Tova offers invaluable wisdom on reframing expectations for adoptive families, emphasizing the shift from seeking perfect outcomes to staying faithful and loving amidst the difficulties. She also highlights the transformative power of professional guidance and community connection, as well as the resources available through Wellspring Counseling for trauma recovery and resilience. This episode is a compassionate guide for adoptive families, foster parents, and anyone seeking to understand the intersection of faith, trauma, and healing.

Whether you're an adoptive parent, someone touched by adoption, or a supporter of these journeys, this episode provides hope, encouragement, and practical tools to navigate life’s toughest challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• The Impact of Adoption on Families: Tova shares her personal story of adoption and how it shaped her life and career in social work.
• Trauma and Resilience: Practical insights into trauma recovery for both children and parents, including her innovative "Circle of Truth" model.
• The Role of Boundaries: Why boundaries are crucial for creating security in adoptive families.
• Reframing Success: Moving from outcome-focused parenting to faithfulness-focused parenting.
• The Importance of Support: Encouragement to seek professional help and connect with communities that understand adoption and trauma challenges.
• Self-Care for Parents: Why self-care is essential for maintaining emotional resilience and providing consistent love and guidance.
• Wellspring Counseling Resources: An overview of Wellspring’s trauma recovery programs and opportunities for fast-track family therapy.

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