There’s something profound about truly being heard. About being seen and acknowledged, even when you don’t have the words. Over the past decade, as a foster parent, I’ve learned more deeply than ever about the incredible importance – and complexity – of communication.
I’ve had many experiences that have led me to where I am today. Working in corporate environments, busy marketing agencies, managing teams and projects. Each role taught me invaluable lessons. Yet my years as a foster parent added something deeply personal and profound: the understanding of what communication truly looks like beyond words.
Listening When Words Aren’t Enough
Being a foster parent has meant learning an entirely new language; one that often doesn’t include words at all. It means noticing subtle shifts in body language, the silences, the way a child holds their shoulders, or the rhythm of their breathing. It’s hearing the emotions behind behaviors that might otherwise be misunderstood.
Children experiencing trauma may not always have the language to express their emotions. Their feelings – fear, confusion, anger, grief – sometimes come out in quiet ways. My job was to listen carefully, patiently, and openly, to hear what was being communicated beneath the surface.
I learned to meet each child exactly where they were, responding to their unique communication styles. Sometimes that meant offering space; other times it meant a gentle, steady presence, allowing trust and safety to slowly build.
Patience and Healing Through Clear Communication
Being a foster parent requires endless patience. Not just patience with the children, but patience with the process, the unpredictability, and the long road of healing. Behind the scenes, I juggled appointments with therapists and social workers, managed relationships with birth families, coordinated school and social activities, ran a household, and navigated full-time work.
There were countless unexpected moments, endless adjustments, and curveballs that required flexibility and a willingness to pause, reflect, and reassess. Foster parenting taught me how critical clear and thoughtful communication is in every aspect of life, whether interacting with children, families, the state, schools, or simply communicating my own boundaries and needs.
Finding Voice, Building Trust, and Empowering Growth
Through fostering children, I discovered the profound power of giving someone space to find their own voice. Children who’ve experienced trauma often struggle to identify and articulate their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. My role was to support them patiently as they found ways to express themselves, to help them feel safe enough to communicate honestly and openly.
Each moment of breakthrough, each instance where a child was able to communicate clearly, to trust enough to speak their truth, was deeply rewarding and taught me the immeasurable value of authenticity in communication.
How Foster Parenting Helped Shape My Vision
Every experience in my life has brought me to where I am today. Foster parenting didn’t overshadow my professional experiences; it complemented and deepened them, adding empathy, patience, and profound respect for the nuance and complexity of genuine communication.
When I launched Monadnock Creative Co., I carried forward everything I’ve learned: the power of clear communication, the importance of listening deeply, and the necessity of authenticity. My experiences in the corporate world, marketing agencies, and the nonprofit sector built a foundation of strategic skills, while foster parenting added a depth of emotional intelligence and understanding.
Monadnock Creative Co. is rooted in these experiences, offering strategic, authentic, and clear marketing support, built on a foundation of empathy and clarity.
Because every voice matters.
Because everyone deserves to be truly heard.
Ready to share your story clearly and authentically?
Monadnock Creative Co. 
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