Families who want to adopt come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it’s a single parent, a couple, or a family with existing biological children or adopted children, the hope to adopt is shared by many families...
Many parents, regardless of how their family is formed, are worried about having difficult and perhaps uncomfortable conversations with their children. Having a child who was adopted adds to this anxiety as...
“How much does it cost to adopt a child?” is often the first question asked in most adoption scenarios. Whether the question is posed to an adoptive parent, adoption professional, adoptee, or on an adoption...
The idea of having anxiety relating to adoption is a concept that I largely avoided until about two years ago. I remember the precise moment when I realized that I was processing a situation the way that I was...
When looking at adopting a baby from the United States, there are many factors that potential adoptive parents need to consider. Sometimes, it can be tough to even know where to start, especially if this is...
Let me start by saying I was never as nervous or excited about Christmas day as I was that year. My husband and I had been married 14 years at the time and had spent holidays anywhere from big family gatherings to (my...
Christmas, somehow, is right around the corner. There is a chance that if you are organized you already have your children’s gifts wrapped and under the tree (or at least stashed in a closet). I am … not organized. And...
There are so many reasons to be thankful this time of year. Family, friends, gifts, good food, laughter, and a reminder that despite the world being a dark and dreary place at times, love and light can break through...
Throughout your home study, as you prepare to bring home your child(ren), you will hopefully go through many different educational opportunities that will help you prepare to bring home children who may have experienced...
I had just become the mom of an almost 3-year-old. My husband and I adopted a beautiful little girl from India after 2 years of paperwork, education, social worker visits, fundraisers, agency fees, and countless prayers...
Welcome, dear reader, to this week’s edition of “ask an adoptee.” Okay, this may be the only edition. Time will tell. There’s a pretty good chance this will be the only edition. I could be wrong though. For this...
Finding Support In The Adoption And Fostering World Brene Brown says it best, “We don’t have to do it alone. We were never meant to.” Our communities are a huge part of our lives and mold and shape us every single day...
When many people think about adoption, the first thing they might picture is a newborn baby born to a teenage mom. Hundreds of videos of adoptive moms and dads meeting their baby for the first time reinforce the idea...
I met Teresa and Dave Johnson and their family at church several years ago. Anyone who talked to them just once could feel that they were good people who were full of love. There have been a few times since then that I...
With technology, it is easy to set reminders for yourself in every aspect of your life. Your phone can act as your assistant and tell you not to forget your grocery list, post office run, or to pay a bill. The days of...
Adoption Takes Teamwork Did you know that adoption takes teamwork? It seems like an obvious statement, but once you get into the process of adoption, you will find just how true the statement really is. When my husband...
“‘Adopt,’ they said. ‘It’ll be fun,’ they said!” I clasped my head in my hands as my body shook with crazed angry laughter. “What they didn’t say was, ‘Oh, by the way, that sweet little child might rage out...
The idea of having anxiety relating to adoption is a concept that I largely avoided until about two years ago. I remember the precise moment when I realized that I was processing a situation the way that I was because...
Adoption is a Lifelong Journey Adoption is love is a phrase you may have seen or read before on memes, inspirational quotes, and poems. Spreading adoption love is an important message to be shared within adoptive...
My Indian daughter is being raised by a Filipina mother and Italian/Irish father and we still have to be purposeful when thinking about diversity and multiculturism in our home. It doesn’t always come naturally, but it...
Therapy. This word may bring up many emotions. I know because this word brings so much up for me and my family. See, I earn my living as a clinician, my family is engaged in therapy due to trauma, and I have struggled...
What is the Nature Versus Nurture Conversation? Families who are all biologically related talk about it. Families who are blended talk about it. Scientists and psychologists run analyses on the topic with nearly...
Talking about adoption with members of the adoption triad (child, birth parents, adoptive parents) shows the different experiences and aspects of adoption. You can learn something from all of their stories. They come...
The Fourth of July. Independence Day. A day associated with hot dogs and barbeques, block parties, fireworks, and sparklers. However, as the name “Independence Day” implies, this holiday celebrates the freedoms we have...
There is a saying that life imitates art. In this case, maybe the art is reminiscent of a television show. This is a real-life story but it has all the elements of something you would see on your television...
As someone who loves to both read and write poetry, I was thrilled to write an article about adoption poetry. What better way to creatively express feelings of adoption than to turn those feelings into beautiful words...
Note: This article focuses on the United States specifically, but the Baby Scoop Era also affected Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom around the same time period. 1939 to 1972. In just 33...
Dear Birth Mother, I don’t know if I have ever imagined writing a letter to a birth mother. I have so much I want to tell you about the daughter you carried in your womb and will always carry in your heart. I have never...
The papers were signed. Agreements were agreed to. And now, 10 years later, things aren’t working out. You’re still 100% all-in, your kiddo is absolutely attached to you and your partner, and things in the home are...
One year I had a student that was a late addition to my preschool classroom in Washington DC. The student came into my classroom and that day I learned that he was new to the country. On a normal day while lining up for...
One of the members of the adoption triad that is least discussed is the birth father. The birth mother gets most of the attention, rightfully so. Birth fathers are often thought of as little more than a sperm donor, and...
Within the adoptive triad, there is so much discussion about the important relationship between the birth mother, adoptee(s), and adoptive family. It seems as though much of the focus is on the birth mother, but birth...
A father is an important part of a child’s life. Studies have shown that children who have affection and support from their fathers have great cognitive and social development. When my husband, Ryan, and I were facing...
Learn all about Juneteenth and what this day means for the adoption community. June 19th celebrates the official day that slavery ended in the United States. This day is called Juneteenth, and it is also known as...
Are you considering international or foreign adoption? If so, you probably thought of adopting from China or Russia, but have you ever considered adoption from Africa? Maybe you have already considered adopting from...
Susan Kuligowski
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Jessica Chapa
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