Adoption Shared

Season 6: When and How to Talk About Adoption

This episode is part of our Season 6 series, Helping Your Child Understand Their Journey, where we explore practical ways to support conversations about adoption, identity and belonging.Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Toni about one of the questions adoptive parents often wrestle with: when do we start talking about adoption, and what do we actually say?Toni shares practical insight on how to make these conversations part of everyday family life rather than a single, high-pressure “big talk”. She discusses how children’s curiosity can ebb and flow, how to respond to tricky questions about birth families, and what to do if your child doesn’t seem interested in their story at all.They also explore the language that helps children feel secure, the common pitfalls parents can fall into, and how to prepare yourself emotionally so you can stay steady when difficult feelings arise.This episode offers thoughtful, practical guidance for parents who want to build honest, ongoing conversations that help their child understand their adoption story with confidence.Adoption Shared is a podcast brought to you by We Are Family. We believe every adoptive family deserves community. If you’d like to support our work, a donation helps us continue providing services and peer support across the UK. Find out more at wearefamilyadoption.org.uk/donate. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.uk We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared.

Season 6: Understanding Birth Families and Identity

This episode is part of our Season 6 series, Helping Your Child Understand Their Journey, focusing on practical conversations about adoption, identity and belonging.Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Skye Curtis-Guilhen, a dual-heritage adopter to two children and project lead at Yorkshire Adoption Agency, where she focuses on community engagement and supporting adopters from global majority backgrounds. Skye also delivers training, including life story work, and works as a social researcher and inclusive practice consultant specialising in equity-based trauma-informed practice.Eddie and Skye explore how birth families sit within a child’s sense of self, whether there is contact or not. They discuss how children’s questions can shift over time, what to say when curiosity grows, and how to respond when information is limited or difficult to explain. Skye shares ways parents can support children through loyalty conflicts, grief or confusion, and how to acknowledge heritage and history through meaningful conversations.They also talk about managing your own emotions so you can stay open when these discussions arise.This episode offers practical guidance for parents who want to support their child’s questions about where they come from while strengthening belonging at home.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.uk We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared.

Season 5: Navigating School as Both Adoptee and Adoptive Parent

Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Fiona, an adoptee, adoptive parent, and mentor, about navigating education from both perspectives. With over 20 years of experience supporting women through challenging life circumstances, Fiona is dedicated to helping adoptees overcome emotional barriers and reach their full potential. As the founder of This is Me – I’m Adopted, she provides guidance to adoptees worldwide and has shared her personal journey in two books.In this episode, Fiona discusses how her own adoption experience shaped the way she prepared her child for school, the challenges she has faced as an adoptive parent, and the strategies she has found most effective in supporting emotional well-being in education. She shares insights from her mentorship work, offering practical advice for parents and schools on creating inclusive environments and advocating for the needs of adopted children.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.uk We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared.

Season 5: Navigating school systems and supporting your adopted child

Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Kate Elliott, a mindfulness practitioner, parent mentor, and trainee counsellor, about supporting adopted children through the education system. As a parent to a child with developmental trauma, Kate understands the challenges families face and shares practical ways to help children feel secure and supported at school. They discuss strategies for managing emotional and behavioural difficulties, advocating for the right support, and working with teachers to create a more inclusive environment. Kate also reflects on how mindfulness and therapeutic parenting can help both children and parents navigate the complexities of education with greater confidence. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.uk We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared.

Season 5: Learning at Home: Tips for Adoptive Parents

Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Jody about how adoptive parents can support their child’s education at home. Jody shares practical approaches for helping with homework, creating a positive learning environment, and keeping children motivated. They discuss the unique challenges adoptive parents may face, how to balance educational needs with family dynamics, and the importance of strong communication with teachers. Plus, they explore useful tools and resources to make learning at home more effective and less stressful for everyone. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.uk We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared.