Adoption Issues: August 2007

Friday, August 31, 2007

Open Heart and Home

In a typical open adoption, birth parents have some contact with the adoptive family. In the case of Ann Belove, she knew the birth mother long before she decided to adopt.

"'Robert's birth mother and I knew each other and were friends before he was adopted... We keep in very close contact. We still after nine years speak very regularly.'"

Robert's younger brother, Carter, has more typical open adoption. He knows who his mother and grandparents are, and the grandparents are somewhat involved in his life. The Beloves chose open adoption because they felt their children had a right to know where they came from. The Beloves also wanted their children to have access to medical records. Read more at Petaluma360.com.

Boarding high schools offer more choices for students than many public schools. Students can choose from a variety of classes or activities that will allow them to learn new skills and find new passions. Visit The Academy at Swift River to learn more.

Labels: families, open_adoption, optons

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Mom Says Article Misses the Point

Pamela Kruger was recently the subject - or one of the subjects - of a New York magazine article on adoption. Unfortunately, the question posed by the article - "Do parents really love adopted children differently than their own offspring?" - reveals just how ill-informed much of the media remains about the true challenges faced by adoptive families.

"Too often the media raises the question of can you love an adopted child as if that was THE critical question to adoptive families when that really is a fleeting fear that comes and passes before a couple adopts; and too often the adoption community has been invested in responding by stressing how 'normal' their families are."

Kruger goes on to say that, just as single parents and multiracial families have issues to deal with, so do adoptive families - but those issues shouldn't be given so much attention. Instead, she says, more attention should be given to the joyful though complex realities of these "new family constellations". Read more at HuffingtonPost.com.

Adopted children can benefit greatly from animal assisted therapy. Learn more about the equine program at Aspen Ranch.

Labels: adoptive_families, love, media

Monday, August 27, 2007

Buying a Gift for Your Child

Birth parents that have stayed in contact with their child's adoptive parents face struggles that are unique to their situation. Even something as simple as buying a gift can be wrought with anxiety. Jenna Hatfield, in a post on AdoptionBlogs, offers some suggestions for reducing the stress, and increasing the joy of buying gifts for a child who's been adopted.

"If you know that the holidays or a birthday are right around the corner, call and ask [the adoptive parents] some key questions like current size, any big gifts they're planning on buying and what is a current no-no in terms of what he/she is allowed to play with or use. Remember to respect any boundaries they set on gifts as it is part of their right as a parent."

Other suggestions include asking the child what he or she is currently in to, getting age-appropriate recommendations from a parenting forum, and window shopping. Adoptive parents should expect these kinds of questions if they've maintained contact with the birth parent(s). Read more at BirthParents.AdoptionBlogs.com.

Looking for a gift for a child with non verbal learning disorder or Asperger's? Find suggestions at YourLittleProfessor.com.

Labels: gifts, relationships, stress

Friday, August 24, 2007

Guatemalan Police Uncover Adoption Scam, Rescue 46 Children

Guatemala is second only to China in the number of children that are adopted by US couples each year, but has the fewest regulations and restrictions in the region. This week, Guatemalan police discovered and rescued 46 children during a raid on a clandestine orphanage in Old Guatemala.

"Although authorities involved in this weekend's bust found paperwork that indicated family members had given the children up for adoption, the papers had not passed through the juvenile court which 'is the correct path for every adoption process,' said [prosecutor general spokesman Carlos] Azurdia."

The US State Department has called the Guatemalan adoption process rife with "conflicts of interest" and "improper financial gain". Read more at TurkishPress.com.

Equine therapy helps kids who are resistant to regular forms of talk therapy. Learn about the horsemanship program at Turn-About Ranch.

Labels: adoption_process, orphanages, scams

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

TB Screening Suggested for all International Adoptees

Researchers at the University of Alberta are suggesting that all children adopted from countries outside North America be screened for tuberculosis. Their recent study found that, in the Canadian province of Alberta, 40 percent of children who were diagnosed with TB were international adoptees.

"Most international adoptees are younger than five years of age and frequently come from resource-poor countries where tuberculosis is common and pre-natal screenings for infectious diseases are rare, say Richard Long, MD, professor in Pulmonary Medicine at the University of Alberta and lead author of the study."

Long reminds people that the Mantoux tuberculin skin test should be used, and children treated accordingly if the test results are positive. Read more at Huliq.com.

Military boarding schools offer a structured environment, but rarely do they offer a therapeutic component that so many troubled teens require. Find an alternative at 4-Military-School-Alternatives.com.

Labels: disease, health, international

Monday, August 20, 2007

The Changing Face of Adoption

Cooper, his mother Anne, and his grandmother Mary represent three generation of adoption in a single family. Author and adoption expert Adam Pertman says their story represents what he calls the "adoption revolution".

"Cultural changes, such as the availability of birth control, legalization of abortion and decline in stigma associated with unwed motherhood, have caused a dramatic drop in the number of U.S. infants available for adoption. At the same time, government regulations encouraging permanent placement of children 'languishing' in foster care, the fall of the Berlin Wall and China's one-child policy have opened up adoptions for foreign children and older children in the United States."

One of the most dramatic cultural shifts where adoption is concerned is the openness with which it's now talked about. When Mary was growing up in the 40s and 50s, she knew she was adopted but also knew she shouldn't say anything - to anyone. Today, young Cooper will not only have the freedom to tell people, but can also tell them the name of his birth mother. Read more at DelmarvaNow.com.

Is your child a brat? Send them to Brat Camp before their actions and behaviors get worse.

Labels: communication, cultures

Friday, August 17, 2007

Virginia Launches Paternal Registry

Virginia has become the latest state to develop a registry that's designed to identify potential fathers. Registration is voluntary, and state officials say it will help speed up the adoption process.

"Men who have been sexually active with someone who they are not married can voluntarily register. If they do, they will be notified if the potential child is being put up for adoption or if the mother is looking to terminate the father's parental rights."

Registration doesn't establish or prove paternity, but a father who fails to register within 10 days of a child's birth will lose his parental rights. Read more at WDBJ7.com.

Mount Bachelor Academy high school boarding schools offer a special curriculum just for adopted teens. Learn more today.

Labels: adoption_process, fathers, parental_rights

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Myths about Bonding

Some adoption stories included a statement from one of the adoptive parents, stating that he or she bonded with their adopted child immediately. While that's true in some cases, for others it takes time to feel truly connected with their child. Laura Christianson discusses some of the other adoption myths that are addressed in the book 'The Post Adoption Blues: Overcoming the Unforeseen Challenges of Adoption'.

"Myth #2: 'I will like this child.' Of course we all plan to like our children. We are determined to like them. But many parents admit, 'I love my child but I don't like her.' The reluctance to like one's child can occur when parent and child have different temperaments, personalities and life experiences (particularly in the case of an institutionalized child.)"

The book's author suggests seeking help if weeks or months have passed and a parent is still not feeling connected to his or her child. She also suggests that parents go easy on themselves and realize that adopting a child creates a whole new dynamic. An adjustment period is natural and to be expected. Read more at AdoptionBlogs.Typepad.com.

Teen drug abuse can be a scary thing for a family to face. Learn more about how to help your teenager at Adolescent-Substance-Abuse.com.

Labels: bonding, myths, parenting

Friday, August 10, 2007

Federal Dollars made Available for Tribal Foster Care, Adoption

Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) has introduced legislation that would provide Indian Tribes with the same access to foster care and adoption funding that's currently available to states. Called The Tribal Foster Care and Adoption Act of 2007, the funding will allow Native American tribes to develop foster care and adoption programs.

"The Baucus proposal amends the Social Security Act to allow Tribes to receive direct reimbursement for eligible costs related to foster care services, adoption assistance services, employee training and education, administrative costs related to case planning and case management, and establishment and operation of required data collection systems."

Under the new legislation, Native American foster care and adoption programs would have to meet the same requirements as state programs. Read more at NativeTimes.com.

Miltiary Boarding Schools are rarely equipped to help teens who are suffering from emotional issuses such as grief and loss. Find a better alternative at TeenBoardingSchools.com.

Labels: adoption_costs, adoption_programs, foster_care

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

North Carolina Eases Search for Birth Parents

Currently, only seven states allow adoptees to see their original birth certificates. The North Carolina legislature has recently passed a new law that, though it doesn't grant access to birth certificates, will make it easier for adoptees to find information about their birth parents by allowing child-placement agencies to serve as intermediaries between willing adult adoptees and birth parents.

"The law replaces rules governing adoption records that rank among the nation's most restrictive. Current law requires adoptees to petition a judge and show 'just cause' to access birth records and other adoption information. It also forbids adoption agencies from releasing anything except 'non-identifying' information to adoptees or birth parents."

The new law is considered a compromise between groups who wanted adoptees to have full access to birth records and organizations like the National Council for Adoption which opposes full access without consent from both parties. Read more at Charlotte.com.

Boarding high schools can help teens with issues such as learning disabilities or behavioral problems. Find one today at TeenBoardingSchools.com.

Labels: adoptees, birth_parents, laws

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Adoption Process Worth the Wait

Katrina and Tom Rusin waited over two years to finalize their adoption of a little girl from China. Stricter adoption regulations and bureaucracy in foreign governments has consistently increased the amount of time necessary to complete international adoptions.

"The world of international adoption is evolving, said Mary Kate Schneider, director of adoption for the Family and Children's Agency in Norwalk [Connecticut]. 'We try and tell families from Day 1 and on that... time frames can change,' Schneider said. 'I think in the end, each country is trying to have these regulations in place so we can secure the best possible adoption for their children.'"

Potential adoptive parents may be required to travel more than once to the country from which they want to adopt, adding to the overall expense of the adoption. Despite the costs and the long wait, adoptive parents say it's worth it.

Read more at NorwalkAdvocate.com.

Labels: adoption costs, adoption_procedures, international

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Embryo Adoption

It doesn't get much press, but embryo adoption is becoming increasingly popular among couples who are unable to conceive children naturally. The week of July 30th, families who have adopted embryos through the Snowflakes™ Frozen Embryo Adoption Program are getting together to share their experiences.

"Friday evening there will be an informative seminar featuring both donating and adoptive participants, as well as a physician who will explain the medical side of the option. The following day, several families will be participating in a 'play-date' reunion with their adopted children."

The main event takes place on Friday, August 3rd in Lewis Center, Ohio. The reunion happens the following day in Plain City. Read more at Home.Businesswire.com.

High school boarding schools offer a greater variety of classes and activities than most public schools. Learn about Mount Bachelor Academy, an emotional growth school in Oregon.

Labels: alternatives, conception, embryo_adoption