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1. Announcements | | |
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New Foster Parenting Forum
AdoptionForums.com is proud to announce its new Foster Parenting forum. There are currently three sub-forums in this new section of the Foster Care & Adoption forum: Fostering Infants and Toddlers, Fostering Preschoolers and Younger Children, and Fostering Teens. These forums are specifically for foster parents to communicate with one another about their methods of parenting and insight on being foster parents for the specified age group. Visit these Foster Parenting forums today.
Adopting Your Foster Child
Deciding to adopt your foster child after getting to know and bonding with the child is not unusual. To obtain further information, determine how prepared you are, and find out some necessary precautions, visit foster-child.adoption.com.
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2. The Adoption Blog - by Nancy Ashe | | | | |
Romanian Law Goes Into Effect - Romania's new adoption law went into effect on January 1st, however it appears that there may be hope for continuing - if limited - adoptions from that country...more.
How to Apply for a Birth Certificate in New Hampshire - On Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005, New Hampshire's new law went into effect, allowing unrestricted access for adult adopted persons to their birth certificates...more.
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3. Highlighted Articles | | | | |
The views expressed by the authors are solely their own, and for which the authors are responsible. These views do not necessarily represent the views of Adoption Week e-Magazine.
Open Letter to Foster Children - new article by Lawrence P. Adams
I have felt alone. I have felt depressed. I have felt that no one understood. I have felt no one really cared about me, and yes...I have even wondered if it was worth living...more
My Son's Adoption - new article by Krystal Wright
The guy and I broke up for other reasons, which made it easier for me to go through with the adoption. I was 18 when the baby was born, and I had a very bad delivery. It was awful! It was the most physically and mentally painful thing I have ever experienced! But adoption was the best thing for my baby, and I knew that deep down inside. After the baby was born, the couple came, and after a few days, adoption papers were signed, and it was all over for me...more
Collaborative Law and Social Work - new article by Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW
Collaborative Family Law offers divorcing couples a new approach to untangling marriage. The traditional approach has family lawyers settle disputes with at least the threat of litigation. Collaborative Family Law takes the threat of litigation out of the equation to concentrate on helping the parties settle between themselves yet with legal support. Litigation is not an option. Lawyers practicing Collaborative Family Law report more satisfaction with this form of practice and believe that negotiated settlements leave the parties more intact as individuals and as parents...more
Read these articles at e-magazine.adoption.com, and submit your adoption-related articles for publication in Adoption Week e-Magazine and Adoption.com.
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4. Adoption News | | | | |
Adoption Aid Goes to Three Counties
Three Western New York counties will receive federal grants totaling $57,780 to help place foster-care children with permanent families. Funding is being funneled to counties where the number of adoptions increased between 2002 and 2003. It comes from an incentive program operated by the U.S. Department of Health...more
Adoptions Stall, More Legal Orphans Created by Failed Federal Law
The number of foster-child adoptions has stalled, even as the number of "legal orphans" continues to grow as a result of a failed federal law, a national child advocacy organization said Wednesday...more
Bills Aimed at Making Adoption Process More Open
Governor Granholm signed legislation aimed at preventing a custody battle similar to the one between the relatives and foster parents of two girls whose parents made a suicide pact...more
Custody Battle Heats Up Over Three-Year-Old
Three-year-old Evan Scott will soon be back with his biological mother. She gave him up for adoption when Evan was an infant. Evan's biological father said he was never told Evan was given up for adoption and fought to get custody of the child from his adoptive parents in Jacksonville...more
Couple's Adoptive Son Stranded In South Korea
A soldier's plea and a senator's inquiry couldn't move the State Department to permit a Squirrel Hill couple to bring their adoptive son home in 2004....more
Read more headlines at news.adoption.com.
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| | 5. Featured Adoption Product | |
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Adoption Printables - Cover - 1 Scrapbook Page
Cover - The three hearts on this page are a reminder of the hearts touched in your unique adoption; the birth family, the adoptive family and the child connecting the two families. Love connects each and binds them all together. Use singly or as the first page of baby scrapbook...more
Find 1,000+ other adoption products at adoptionshop.com.
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| | 6. Featured Waiting Child | | | | |
 Monnica has a flair for cute things and nature's natural beauty. Her other favorite things include sports, music, and being around animals. One of her future goals is to become a veterinarian. She is very goal-oriented and accomplishes most tasks that she sets her mind to. Her personality can best be described as interesting, yet fun. Monnica is most proud of her success at school. She is now an “A” & “B” student. Math and Science are her favorite subjects. Monnica is a teenager excited about her life and her future. She would do well in an adoptive home where she can be encouraged to achieve her goals and feel good about herself. An adoptive family would need to have a loving foundation with structure and rules in their home. Monnica does require some special attention, so a family without young children is preferred. Monnica has done well since being in foster care. She accomplishes new goals each and every day. She also looks forward to meeting an adoptive family. more
Photolisting.adoption.com is a free community service of adoption.com featuring thousands of children awaiting loving, permanent homes. Add your agency's waiting children to photolisting.adoption.com, and help them find loving homes faster... more | |
| | 7. Meet New Hopeful Adoptive Parents | | | | |
Are you pregnant? Visit parentprofiles.com (a service of Adoption Profiles, LLC) to find the right adoptive parents for your baby. Are you a hopeful adoptive parent? Build your profile.
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8. Adoption Gem | | | | |
Recipe for a Happy New Year
Take 12 fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly cleansed from all old memories of bitterness, hate, and jealousy.
Cut these months into 30 or 31 equal parts. (This batch will keep for one year. Do not attempt to make more than one batch at a time-many people spoil the entire lot in this way.)
Prepare one day at a time as follows: Into each day, put 12 parts of faith, 11 of patience, 10 of courage, nine of work (some people omit this ingredient and spoil the flavor of the rest), eight of hope, seven of fidelity, six of open-mindedness, five of kindness, four of rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad-don't do it ), three of prayer, two of meditation, and one of well-selected resolution.
If you have no conscientious scruples, add a teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.
Pour love liberally into the whole, and mix with strength. Cook thoroughly in a warming heat. Garnish with a few smiles and a sprig of joy; then serve with quietness, unselfishness, and cheerfulness - and a Happy New Year is a certainty.
Contributed by: Bob Hiller
Share your story, thought, or quote.
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9. Adoption Buzz | | | | |
For more on-line adoption discussions, visit adoptionforums.com.
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10. Just for the Fun of It | | | | |
Precious Little Johnny
The teacher asked little Johnny if he knew his numbers.
"Yes," he said. "I do. My dad taught me."
"Good. What comes after three."
"Four," answered the boy.
"What comes after six?"
"Seven."
"Very good," says the teacher. "Your dad did a good job. What comes after ten?"
"A jack," says the kid.
Contributed by: Bob Hiller
Share your humorous story or joke.
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11. Featured Adoption Professional | | | | |
Claar Foundation - Boulder, CO
Toll Free: (866) 415-1001 Phone: (303) 415-1001 E-mail: info@claarfoundation.org
services: • Counselors & Therapists • Education & Training • Home Studies • International Adoption
countries: • Guatemala • Nepal • Russia • Ukraine...more
Find adoption agencies, attorneys and other adoption professionals at adoptiondirectory.com. See your ad here.
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| | 12. Speak Out | | | | |
Hi. I had featured an ad on Adoption Week e-Magazine. I have found my biological family (my mother, brother,and sisters) this year, on Aug 31, and I met them the next day. I also found my father in November and met him on December 21, 2004. It's not the fairy tale ending we all dream about, but we are working through it. A lot of drama and emotions come from meeting someone you know exists but have never met. Be strong and brave, and don't forgot to live in the present and express how you feel
with "I" statements. Sometimes the past is a hard thing to give up, but it is something we have to do. I am really excited about my reunion, but I also had to remind my adoptive family that I still love them, even if I might be mad at them or hurt by them. They did take the responsibility for us. So remind those who love us that we love them and start with a clean slate to those we are just meeting. E-mail me to talk anytime. Thank you. - Laura
To Brandy: Go for it. If you know your mother's name and how to contact her, do it. I know that if my daughter were to call me, I would be the happiest mother in the world. My daughter was born in Arlington, TX on December 6, 1963. The last time I saw her was in November 1970. I think of her often. I am sure your mother thinks of you also. Contact her. - Carol
I gave up my son born when I was just 15 years old. I registered with AdoptionRegistry.com in 2000. He found me just before Thanksgiving 2004. We met a week later at my home, and he brought pictures that show his life. He was raised by a wonderful mother and father and even told me I did the right thing. Looking at him and my 3 new grandkids, I see my face and know I did the right thing. I thank you all for this web site, as this is where it all started. In Washington state, you can hire a mediator to open the closed records and bring the parties together. But with my son and I, we jumped the gun and started talking by way of the profile I posted here. After the records were opened, yes, in fact, he is my son. We talk and have plans on meeting his wife and the 3 grandkids this summer. Thank you. It works. - Cheryl
Last year I did a web search for my birth mother. I am only 21 years old, and it was just the beginning of what I thought was going to be a long search. At the time, I wasn't planning on getting a hit, but wouldn't you know...she was registered! I found an exact match on my first try! The next surprise I received was soon after I registered with the same website, I received an e-mail from my birth father, something I had never really thought about but was thrilled to hear from him. After he confirmed it was me, he sent me the longest most beautiful letter, telling me all about the story of him and my birth mother and the rest of the story of his life. A huge, long wonderful e-mail that took forever to read, but I soaked up every word, enjoying every letter on the page. So naturally, I did the same. Not wanting to give out specific detailed information just yet, I sent him the story of my life and my adoptive family. That was back in July of 2004, and I have yet to hear anything else from him. I am really confused as to what happened and wonder if maybe I said something wrong. I got an idea from someone to just send him a quick note, so I sent him an e-holiday card just wishing him happy holidays. Hoping this would get a response or something, but nothing yet. I really don't understand why I haven't heard from him. Does anyone have
any ideas? For a short time I thought I was going to be incredibly lucky and have a short search and a great reunion, but now I'm sad to say I'm not so hopeful. - Hilary
I am the sibling of an adopted sister, and I have been trying to find her for the last 15 years and won't stop until I find her. I am hoping this site will be the answer. She was born on July 7, 1959 in Red Bluff, CA to a Patricia Smith. I was told that she went to Stockton, CA. My mother has passed away and carried the guilt of giving her up with her. I would like to meet and get to know my sister. The name given to my sister at birth was BonnieLee; I believe that the name was kept. So if you are out there and also curious, please contact me.
Speak Out - share your opinion, comment, or respond to a message.
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13. Adoption Poetry | | | | |
There Is Hope in "The Way"
No more can they hurt her, nor call out her name
In weakness and anger to our house she came
Her silence was shattered, the secret was through
Hurt and confusion was all her heart knew.
"Just a short time do we need her to stay,
be careful" they said, "she might run away"
What terrible pain did this young girl endure?
Inside she was frightened and so insecure.
The end finally came and with us she was safe
yet the anger, the fury, the bottled up chafe
All needed to vent, it needed to roar!
I prayed for the day that her spirit would soar.
Through floods of emotions and terrible pain
We watched as the sunshine took over the rain.
The conquering love that broke though one day
was enough to decide that she had found "The Way"!
Our days turned to weeks, and the weeks into years
And her countenance changed into laughter, from tears
With the help of the Lord and His Spirit to guide
we saw life begin new in a girl who had died.
by Marjorie Allen, 2nd adoptive mom©2004
Dear friends, we wanted to share a bit of our adoption story with you, about our new daughter!
She is 16 now, but was only 13 when she came into our home. We are her 2nd adoptive family, not because she disrupted,
but because the original adoptive father was sexually abusing her for almost 7 years, and the 1st adoptive mom wouldn't believe her.
What a tragedy this little girl's life was. But now, after only 3 years with us, she is the sweetest, most charming, beautiful young lady I've ever met!
Her name is Jacqueline, and the poem above is hers.
Read more adoption poetry, or share your adoption poem.
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| | 14. Adoption Calendar | | | | |
Adoption Events:
Emotional and Physical Care of Newly Adopted Children Class
January 8 (9:00 am - 12:00 pm) - First United Methodist Church, 313 N. Center, Arlington, TX
Dillon International, Inc. - Join social worker Jennifer Jolin and nurse/adoptive parent Libby Skaggs for information on physical care of your new child attachment, bonding and discipline. Please see the website for cost. Facilities do not provide for childcare. For more information or to register, e-mail, call (817) 927-3062, or click here.
Free Informational Seminars on Adopting Orphaned Children
January 8 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm ) - High Point Church, 7702 Old Sauk Road Madison, WI
Sunshine Adoption Inc. - For more information, or to RSVP, call (262) 796-9898.
ABC'S of International Adoption
January 8 (10:30 am) - First Colony Branch Library, 2121 Austin PKWY, Sugar Land, TX (Houston Area)
Dillon International, Inc. - During this free informational meeting, attendees will be given an overview of the process of international adoption, individual country requirements and adoption costs. In addition, they will be given information on waiting children from South Korea, China, India, Ukraine, Vietnam, Haiti, and Guatemala. Please call Moni at (281) 438-9263, e-mail, or click here for details.
ABC'S of International Adoption
January 11 (6:00 pm - 7:00 pm) - Dillon International Office, 3227 E. 31st Street, Tulsa, OK
Dillon International, Inc. - During this free informational meeting, attendees will be given an overview of the process of international adoption, individual country requirements and adoption costs. In addition, they will be given information on waiting children from South Korea, China, India, Ukraine, Vietnam, Haiti, and Guatemala. Please (918) 749-4600, e-mail, or click here for details.
ABC'S of International Adoption
January 11 (6:00 pm - 8:00 pm) - First United Methodist Church, 6701 JFK Blvd, North Little Rock, AR
Dillon International, Inc. - During this free informational meeting, attendees will be given an overview of the process of international adoption, individual country requirements and adoption costs. In addition, they will be given information on waiting children from South Korea, China, India, Ukraine, Vietnam, Haiti, and Guatemala. Please call (501) 791-9300, e-mail, or click here for details.
Free Informational Seminars on Adopting Orphaned Children
January 12 (6:30 pm - 8:30 pm) - Christ Church, 10606 N. Port Washington Road Mequon, WI
Sunshine Adoption Inc. - For more information, or to RSVP, call (262) 796-9898.
Free Informational Seminars on Adopting Orphaned Children
January 13 (6:30 pm - 8:30 pm) - Community United Methodist Church, 14700 Watertown Plank Road Elm Grove, WI
Sunshine Adoption Inc. - For more information, or to RSVP, call (262) 796-9898.
Exploring Adoption
January 24 - February 21 (6:30 pm - 9:00 pm, four Monday evenings) - San Jose, CA
Adoption Paths - Workshop series providing unbiased information about all types of adoption (international and domestic); contact Sara Lively at (831) 476-7252 or click here.
To view local listings, regional seminars, many other adoption events, and to list your organization's events, visit adoptioncalendar.com.
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Adoption Week e-Magazine | | | |
Call For Content
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(c) Adoption Media, LLC 2005
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