The 1 Thing Every Foster Child Needs

She was never supposed to make it. Statistically, Barb shouldn't have become a loving wife, mother, and GG. This week she tells us why the statistics were wrong. 💛

This week I'm sitting down with two of my favorite humans at Beachy Beach Real Estate, Barb Wade and Kay Blanchard for a conversation that got a lot deeper than any of us expected.Barb grew up in foster care, bounced between homes starting at age 11, and never quite felt like she belonged anywhere. She opens up about what people get wrong about foster care, and how she turned a hurtful experience into becoming the mom whose house is the safe place for every kid in the neighborhood. Kay grew up in a loving, stable home and just became a foster parent herself, welcoming a teenage girl into her family. We also get into the number one reason kids actually end up in foster care, why so many good foster placements fall through the cracks, and how you can make a difference in a child’s life  even if fostering isn't for you.

Episode Highlights:
[1:46] Barb's Foster Care Story Begins
[5:07] Why Kay Decided to Become a Foster Parent
[9:25] Sponsor Shoutouts & Cute Outfits
[14:48] The Hard Truths of the Foster System
[30:49] What Kids in Foster Care Really Need
[34:53]Judging Enthusiasm
[36:44] Sponsor Love: Elysian Med Spa & More
[38:14] Book Signing, Reviews & Wrap-Up

About Barb & Kay:
Barb and Kay are both real estate agents at Beachy Beach Real Estate. Barb grew up in the foster care system and has spent her adult life opening her home and heart to everyone around her. Kay, a grandmother, widow, and former schoolteacher, recently became a foster parent to a teenage girl after decades of wanting to open her home to kids in need.

Ways to Help Children Living in Foster Care: 
AdoptUSKids (https://adoptuskids.org) – A national project connecting children in foster care with families, providing comprehensive information for prospective foster and adoptive parents.
National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) (https://nfpaonline.org) – Provides networking, education, and national advocacy for foster, kinship, and adoptive families.
Foster America (https://foster-america.org) – Works upstream to drive systemic innovation, support families, and reduce unnecessary family separations.

Big Thanks To Our Sponsors:
Buffalo Rock Pepsi: https://buffalorock.com/locations/panama-city
Holiday Beach Mechanical: https://holidaybeachmechanical.com
Gypsy Willow: https://gypsywillowretail.com
Amor Boutique: https://amorboutiquepc.com
Elysian Med Spa: https://elysianpcb.com
Ferrucci's Ristorante: https://ferruccipc.com/
Something's Cooking: https://somethingscookincatering.com
Shore House Furniture: https://shorehousefurniture.com

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Be sweet, y'all! 💕