Adoption Issues

Book Helps Siblings Bridge Adoption Gap

Sibling relationships are always challenging. Though there are good times, there's also plenty of arguing and jealousy - a reality that can be amplified when one of the siblings is adopted.

"For the biological child, he may have to deal with issues of having an adopted brother or sister who came from a faraway land and is greeted with hoopla and interest from relatives and strangers upon arrival... For the adopted child, she may have to deal with issues of belonging, especially when the biological child looks like the parents and she doesn't..."

It's these types of challenges that prompted Vanita Oelschlager to write the children's book Made in China. It tells the story of two siblings, one adopted and one not, who are trying to adjust to being in the same family. It can be a great conversation starter if parents and siblings all read the book together. Source: Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal

Labels: adoption_gap, jealousy, siblings

Couples Urged to Adopt Older Children

Officials in Norfolk County (United Kingdom) are urging potential adoptive couples to consider older children. Few babies are available, and many older kids are waiting for a home. Now, couples who have adopted older kids are joining in the plea.

"They said: 'Adoption is not about meeting the needs of childless couples like us, however harsh that sounds. It is about giving children who have had sad starts to their lives a second chance for love, stability and happiness.'"

Many people prefer adopting babies because they don't think babies will have any emotional issues. But officials and adoptive parents agreed that babies are no less likely to have emotional baggage than older kids - it may just take longer for the problems to surface. Source: EDP24

Labels: adoptive_families, advice, older_children

Public Adoptions Hit Record High in Florida

Public adoptions in the state of Florida hit an all-time high this past fiscal year, with more than 3,600 adoptions being processed. The annual total is up nearly 600 from the previous year, and 300 from the previous record high, which was reached in 2004.

"[Bob] Butterworth and Jim Kallinger, the state's chief child advocate, said Florida's new Explore Adoption advertising campaign is especially helping teens and older children, sibling groups and children with disabilities."

The only part of the state that saw adoptions decrease was Southern Florida, but the decrease was attributed not to a lack of interest, but to a lack of adoptable children. It's a good problem to have, authorities said. Source: Southwest Florida News-Press

Labels: adoption_costs, public_adoption

Vietnamese Legislators Agree to Adoption Regulations

Vietnam's National Assembly's Standing Committee has agreed to fully support the signing and ratifying of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption. The Hague Convention, as this document is more commonly known, is a set of policies meant to ensure the protection of adopted children.

"Since 2003, with the Government's 68/202/ND-CP decree coming into force, a number of agreements on child adoption with other countries have been signed and an International Adoption Department under the Ministry of Justice has been set up."

Ratification of the Hague Convention took several years. Vietnam had to set several policies in place to ensure conditions were in line with the convention's requirements. Source: Vietnam Bridge

Labels: international, protection, Vietnam

World's Poorest Children Have a Friend in Tucson

Jackie Semar has been interested in adoption for almost 30 years. She's now the executive director for the International Child Foundation, an organization that advocates for international adoption and child welfare in developing countries.

"[Jackie] helped found the International Child Foundation in 2003. The non-profit group facilitates about 20 international adoptions a year of children from countries including Haiti, Guatemala, China, and Khazakstan."

The organization also provides financial support to Haitian orphanages. The money subsidizes nutrition and ensures that the children get enough to eat. Source: Arizona Daily Star

Labels: advocacy, international, non-profit

Pros, Cons, of Public Adoptions

One of the first choices a person has to make once they've decided to adopt a child is the choice between a public or private adoption. Each has its pros and cons.

"An important benefit of... public adoption... is that the termination of the birth parents' rights has been finalized. All children in this program are available for adoption. They just need the right adult or family to give them a permanent home."

With a private adoption, the birth mother may change her mind before the adoption is complete. One of the benefits of private adoptions, however, is the increased availability of newborns and infants. In most public program, the children are older - often eight-year-olds and up. Source: The Ledger (Lakeland, Fla.)

Labels: private_adoption, public_adoption

How To Tell If Adoption is for You

When many people begin to entertain the idea of adoption, the question that plagues them the most is, "Is adoption right for me?" There is ample information pertaining to adoption costs, processes and waiting times, but how do people determine whether they should even begin the process?

"Locate living resources. You don't need to wear a button saying 'I'm considering adopting: tell me your story.' Just bring up the subject in conversation and you'll be surprised at how many experiences will pop out of people you barely know."

Consider your ability to be patient with a child who will act out for seemingly no reason, and may be very emotionally needy. Don't be overly pessimistic, but be realistic about the emotional energy you'll have to invest. Evaluate both the pros and cons of the situation and your personal needs and desires. Source: Monterey County Herald

Labels: adoption costs, adoption_process, prospective_parents