She was fostering two toddlers and still waiting to adopt — so she decided to have a baby on her own...
When Maryanne Grant first came on the show, she was in the middle of a long, uncertain foster-to-adopt journey with two young siblings. Now she’s back with a life update — and so much has changed.
In this episode, Maryanne shares what it’s really like to wait years for adoption finalization, how the appeals process can delay permanency, and how she made the decision to become a single mom by choice while still fostering. She opens up about fertility treatments, choosing a sperm donor, raising three children on her own, and the emotional difference between fostering and having a biological child — and why love is still love no matter how a child comes into your life.
This is an honest, hopeful, and deeply real conversation about modern motherhood, foster care, and building a family in unexpected ways.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
- The reality of waiting years for foster adoption finalization
- How ICWA cases can impact foster-to-adopt timelines
- The emotional toll of inconsistent bio parent visits
- Termination of parental rights (TPR) and the appeals process
- Becoming a single mom by choice
- IUI, donor sperm, and choosing a donor
- Raising three kids under three as a single mom
- The difference between bonding through birth vs. foster care
- Open conversations with kids about their story and family
- Sibling relationships in foster care
- Knowing your limits as a foster parent
- Building a “village” and foster care community
Memorable Quotes From This Episode:
- “Love is love. I don’t differentiate on love — but the process is very different.”
- “I wanted this child so badly that I was willing to make it happen however I could.”
- “Kids deserve someone who 100% chooses them.”
- “Our family just has a mommy — and that’s okay.”
- “Adoption will change everything and nothing at the same time.”
Resources Mentioned:
Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
Single Mom by Choice community
Seattle Sperm Bank (donor process discussion)
Foster care adoption & appeals process
Connect with Us:
Website: fromfoster2forever.com
Instagram: @foster2foreverpodcast
If this episode touched you, please share it with someone who cares about foster care, adoption, or building a family in a nontraditional way.
