In this podcast, Dr. Bosco-Ruggiero shares expert information about adopting an older child including working with an agency, the adoption process, potential behavioral issues, and more. Dr. Bosco-Ruggiero is the co-author of Adopting Older Children: A Practical Guide to Adopting and Parenting Children Over Age Four. She holds a PhD in social work from Fordham University and has taught sociology and social work courses at several colleges and universities. She is a consultant and freelancer and has worked with a variety of clients including nonprofits, research organizations, and students.
Group Guest Interview on Creating a Family Podcast
Dr. Stephanie Bosco-Ruggiero and Victor Groza, co-authors of the book Adopting Older Children: A Practical Guide to Adopting and Parenting Children Over Age Four, are interviewed on Dawn Davenport's Creating a Family podcast. Time stamps below.
They share insights on reasons for adopting an older child, how to best help the child transition into their new family, and support resources while taking listeners' questions.
Buy the book on eBay (https://ebay.us/m/qqcfrQ).
Davenport is the founding Executive Director of Creating a Family, a nonprofit for supporting foster, adoptive, and kinship families. On her top-rated podcast, she interviews leading experts weekly.
Time stamps:
"0:00 - Host intro"
"04:53 - Reasons for adopting an older child"
"08:00 - Transition period"
"14:55 - Setting a routine"
"21:17 - Listener question: establishing a parental figure"
"25:12 - Educating family and friends"
"31:17 - Listener question: contact with foster/birth family"
"37:07 - Parenting tips"
"43:40 - Support resources (therapy, guides, respite care)"
23 Oct 2025
Adoption/Foster Guide Part 3: Working With Agencies
In this third and last episode of the 3-part series on adopting or fostering older children, I go over choosing an agency, preparing for adoption (a course program, home study, etc), and resources to support parents. Time stamps below.
For more insights, buy my co-authored book on e-Bay: Adopting Older Children: A Practical Guide to Adopting and Parenting Children Over Age Four (https://ebay.us/m/qqcfrQ)
Time stamps:
"00:00 - Intro"
"00:58 - Working with an agency"
"03:33 - The amazing Toles family"
"04:54 - Training and home study"
"10:33 - Services and financial support"
"13:52 - Adopting a child from out of state (https://ebay.us/m/qqcfrQ)"
30 Sept 2025
Guest on Dr. Grocher's Thinking Outside the Box Podcast
This is my guest appearance on Thinking Outside the Box, a podcast hosted by my PhD program colleague, Dr. Kimberly Grocher. We discuss opportunities for academics outside academia, how to build a research and freelancing career, and parenting children with additional educational needs. I offer specific advice about starting a freelance and consulting career as an academic. We also discuss my book, Adopting Older Children and how I became interested in this topic as a professional and parent.
Dr. Grocher is a licensed psychotherapist, coach, and consultant.
Timestamps:
"00:00 - Host intro"
"01:45 - Stephanie intro"
"07:50 - Pivoting away from academia after PhD"
"17:56 - Parenting a neurodiverse adopted son"
"20:28 - Freelancing & consulting work"
"29:00 - Adopting Older Children book"
"30:40 - Advice for going into freelancing"
17 Sept 2025
Adoption/Foster Care Guide Part 2: What to Consider For the Matching Process
In this second episode of my 3-part adoption/foster care guide, I go over some factors that foster parents should consider in the matching process. This includes culture, ethnicity/race, and special needs. Time stamps below.
In the last episode of the guide, I talk all about working with agencies. Stay tuned!
For more insights, purchase the book on e-Bay: Adopting Older Children: A Practical Guide to Adopting and Parenting Children Over Age Four (https://ebay.us/m/qqcfrQ)
Time stamps:
"00:00 - Intro"
"01:38 - Cultural and racial/ethnic considerations"
"05:12 - Indian Child Welfare Act"
"06:07 - Special needs children"
"09:19 - Contact with the bio family"
"12:52 - Preferences of the child"
3 Sept 2025
Adoption/Foster Care Guide Part 1: Why Should Parents Choose an Older Child?
Why should you adopt or foster an older child? Learn why in this episode, where I discuss the reasons, benefits, and eligibility criteria. Aside from saving costs, you'll change a struggling youth's life. Time stamps below.
In the next two episodes, I'll cover what to consider in the matching process, how to work with agencies, and available resources to support parents.
For more insights, buy my co-authored book on e-Bay: Adopting Older Children: A Practical Guide to Adopting and Parenting Children Over Age Four (https://ebay.us/m/qqcfrQ) (https://ebay.us/m/qqcfrQ)
Time stamps:
"0:00 - Introduction"
"04:37 - Children in foster care"
"06:26 - Benefits of adopting older children"
"13:00 - Who is eligible to adopt an older child?"
23 Aug 2025
Welcome to the Adopting Older Children Podcast
Welcome to my podcast! This podcast will cover everything from working with an agency, learning about the children and their needs, preparing your home and family for your adopted child, and much more! If you have any questions about older child adoption, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at ccc.stephanie@gmail.com
Also please share details of your journey in the comments!
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