Fostering Connections: Using Food to Bridge Gaps and Empower Children with Chef Kibby
01/08/25 • 35 min
Chef Kibby shares how he uses food and hunger as a language of connection, drawing from 25 years of culinary expertise and 16 years as a foster and adoptive dad. Discover his unique perspective on how the simple act of cooking can bridge gaps and build lasting relationships. With personal anecdotes and biblical insights, we explore how food has been historically used as a relational tool and how you can implement these practices in your own home.
The conversation uncovers the hidden emotional needs that surface at the dinner table, where food becomes more than just nourishment. We address the emotional and physiological hunger that children from challenging backgrounds experience and how parents can recognize and fulfill these needs. By focusing on inclusion rather than perfection, we can transform everyday kitchen interactions into powerful bonding moments that go beyond just eating.
Empowering children by giving them a voice in everyday decisions, like choosing pizza toppings, can significantly enhance their sense of agency and emotional well-being. We discuss practical ways parents can create environments where children feel heard and valued. As we close, we invite you to explore additional resources, including our Hunger for Connection podcast, and offer a heartfelt prayer for guidance and peace in fostering meaningful connections through the universal language of food.
Find Chef Kibby:
Main website - https://chefkibby.com
Hunger for Connection Podcast - Spotify Apple iHeart Amazon Music YouTube
Listen to my song Fostering Joy on Spotify
Mentioned in the show:
TBRI: https://child.tcu.edu/about-us/tbri/#sthash.9fvSeXaK.dpbs
Get my FREE 2025 Priorities Guide: https://stan.store/nicoletbarlow/p/get-the-priority-reset-guide-now
January 27th Wellness Coaching Group: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=nicolebarlow
I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text!
Connect with me on Instagram: @Fosterparentwell
@nicoletbarlow https://www.instagram.com/nicoletbarlow/
Website: https://nicoletbarlow.com/
Chef Kibby shares how he uses food and hunger as a language of connection, drawing from 25 years of culinary expertise and 16 years as a foster and adoptive dad. Discover his unique perspective on how the simple act of cooking can bridge gaps and build lasting relationships. With personal anecdotes and biblical insights, we explore how food has been historically used as a relational tool and how you can implement these practices in your own home.
The conversation uncovers the hidden emotional needs that surface at the dinner table, where food becomes more than just nourishment. We address the emotional and physiological hunger that children from challenging backgrounds experience and how parents can recognize and fulfill these needs. By focusing on inclusion rather than perfection, we can transform everyday kitchen interactions into powerful bonding moments that go beyond just eating.
Empowering children by giving them a voice in everyday decisions, like choosing pizza toppings, can significantly enhance their sense of agency and emotional well-being. We discuss practical ways parents can create environments where children feel heard and valued. As we close, we invite you to explore additional resources, including our Hunger for Connection podcast, and offer a heartfelt prayer for guidance and peace in fostering meaningful connections through the universal language of food.
Find Chef Kibby:
Main website - https://chefkibby.com
Hunger for Connection Podcast - Spotify Apple iHeart Amazon Music YouTube
Listen to my song Fostering Joy on Spotify
Mentioned in the show:
TBRI: https://child.tcu.edu/about-us/tbri/#sthash.9fvSeXaK.dpbs
Get my FREE 2025 Priorities Guide: https://stan.store/nicoletbarlow/p/get-the-priority-reset-guide-now
January 27th Wellness Coaching Group: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=nicolebarlow
I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text!
Connect with me on Instagram: @Fosterparentwell
@nicoletbarlow https://www.instagram.com/nicoletbarlow/
Website: https://nicoletbarlow.com/
Previous Episode
Priorities for the New Year
Every holiday season as a foster or adoptive parent is a rollercoaster of joy and chaos. I've been there, feeling the duality of laughter and meltdowns, and I'm here to share how embracing these mixed emotions can actually enrich our lives and families. In this episode, I reflect on the past year, celebrating the laughter, acknowledging the meltdowns, and setting intentions for a more balanced 2025. Let's talk about the power of saying yes to ourselves so we can better say yes to our children, teaching them the value of self-care by living it out ourselves.
Together, we'll explore practical ways to incorporate movement and strength training into hectic lives, and the importance of nutrition in maintaining energy and preventing burnout. From the simplicity of a daily walk to the impact of choosing whole foods, every small decision counts. As we step into the new year, we'll also focus on spiritual growth, setting priorities that align with wisdom and nurture our families with love and grace. Join me in a prayer of strength and guidance, and let’s enter 2025 with renewed faith, purpose, and a commitment to self-care that supports our parenting journeys.
2025 Priority Reset Guide:
https://stan.store/nicoletbarlow/p/get-the-priority-reset-guide-now
6 Week Coaching Group:
https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=nicolebarlow
Register for Priorities Webinar on January 21st!
https://stan.store/nicoletbarlow/p/join-me-to-set-our-priorities--goals-for-2025
I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text!
Connect with me on Instagram: @Fosterparentwell
@nicoletbarlow https://www.instagram.com/nicoletbarlow/
Website: https://nicoletbarlow.com/
Next Episode
Foster Care Narratives with Johnna Stein
Jonna Stein's "Untangling Hope" beautifully captures the intricate emotions of a foster child navigating trauma and the longing for belonging. In our discussion, we explore themes of empathy, understanding trauma, and the importance of fostering conversations about these experiences among parents, children, and their communities.
• Exploring the journey of a foster child in "Untangling Hope"
• Understanding the difference between fitting in and belonging
• Importance of compassion in caregiving
• Insights into a child's perspective on trauma and resilience
• Facilitation of dialogue about foster care in families and communities
• Call for empathy and education about experiences of children in care
Links:
Johnnastein.com
Order the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Untangling-Hope-Johnna-Stein/dp/B0CY2B1TRB
I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text!
Connect with me on Instagram: @Fosterparentwell
@nicoletbarlow https://www.instagram.com/nicoletbarlow/
Website: https://nicoletbarlow.com/
Foster Parent Well - Fostering Connections: Using Food to Bridge Gaps and Empower Children with Chef Kibby
Transcript
Welcome to the Foster Parent Well podcast , where we have real candid , faith-filled conversations about all things foster care , adoption and trauma . I'm your host , nicole T Barlow . I'm a certified parent trainer , a certified health coach and an adoptive parent myself . This is a space where you can find support so that you can care for your kids with a steadfast faith ,
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