In this heartfelt and eye-opening conversation, Dr. Sharon Spano welcomes Debbie Ausburn, who has spent decades raising children who weren’t biologically her own—as a foster parent, step-parent, and advocate. Drawing on her career in social work and law, Debbie shares compassionate, practical advice on how to build trust with traumatized children while holding clear boundaries and protecting your own wellbeing.Whether you’re a foster parent, stepparent, or a caregiver stepping into a child’s life in a season of crisis, Debbie’s wisdom will help you approach the journey with realistic expectations and courage.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why divorce and family disruption are still traumatic—even when we normalize themHow trauma affects children’s development, behavior, and ability to trustThe difference between supporting a child and trying to “fix” everythingHow to set healthy boundaries while staying loving and consistentWhy children often express loyalty to absent or biological parents, and why that’s okayHow to balance caregiving with your marriage, career, and personal wellbeingWhy every child needs to know exactly where they stand—and what the rules areThe importance of acknowledging your role without trying to replace a parentTips for managing time, appointments, and the emotional demands of foster or step-parentingThe power of showing up with empathy, clarity, and steadiness over timeTranscript: HereDebbie Ausburn:Website: https://debbieausburn.com/Book: Raising Other People’s ChildrenSharon Spano:Website: sharonspano.comFacebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHDInstagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/Book: thetimemoneybook.comContact: [email protected]: substack.com/@drsharonThe Other Side of Potential Podcast: sharonspano.com/podcast/

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