Traveling is one of the more exciting parts of the adoption process. But it can also become one of the most stressful parts if you forget to pack important or necessary items - especially if you're traveling internationally.

"I am all for packing light... and especially when you're traveling to adopt a child, I think you should bring everything that you need. While it is true... that you can often find what you need when you arrive, you don't want to have to spend your first few hours or days with your child in a store in a new place trying to find diapers, formula, lotion or dish soap."

Carefully create a list of things you'll need. If you're traveling internationally, consider the climate you'll be traveling too, and medical needs that may be unique to the country or area. Pack thoroughly, but don't over pack. Bring what you need, but not too much of what you need. Be sure to leave enough room to bring home some of your child's personal items, and for cultural items that you may want to purchase for your home.

Boarding schools with therapy help children work through emotional issues while getting an education. Learn more at TherapeuticBoardingSchool.com.

Labels: international, traveling, stress

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

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: relationships, gifts, stress

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 1 Comment

International adoptions are stressful. The adoption process in general, whether domestic or international, is stressful but there's often added stress in the international process.

"A prime example of severe adoption stress was created for families when Romania closed its doors to international adoptions. When this occurred, hundreds of families were caught in the pipeline, and their children were condemned to living in an institutional care environment despite the fact that there was a loving family somewhere in the world that had already developed a bond with them."

Home studies, adoption referrals, physician's visits, and travel to and from the child's home country can all begin to add stress upon stress. Husbands and wives need to be honest with each other, and seek counseling if theyre beginning to feel overwhelmed. Be prepared to experience stress before, during, and after the adoption process. But be prepared not to handle it alone.

Read more at International.Adoption.com.

Labels: international, stress, adoption_procedures

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

It's no secret that -- regardless of how hard their parents work to establish a safe and loving home -- adopted children can experience a wide range of stresses and pressures.

Now, research indicates that a difficult childhood contributes to the development of heart disease and other health problems, according to a new study from the University of Pittsburgh. (This research applied to all children, not just those in adoptive families.)

• Psychiatrist Karen Matthews studied 212 teenagers, ages 12 to 14 years old from various economic backgrounds.
• All were healthy at the time of the study.
• However, several years later, the children from lower socioeconomic levels were more likely to have stiff arteries and high blood pressure, as well as thickening of their carotid artery walls.

In her second study, Dr. Mathews asked 201 children ages 8 to 10 or 15 to 17 years to respond to stress tasks and to judge situations in terms of danger.

• Children from the lower economic levels were more likely to find danger in ambiguous situations that could be interpreted as safe.
• They had higher blood pressure, faster heart rates, and higher scores on anger and hostility.

"Many diseases first diagnosed in midlife can be traced back to childhood," Dr. Mathews said in a presentation of her study before the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association.
 

Labels: health, stress

Posted By: Adoption Issues 1 Comment