|
Adoption Week e-Magazine Formerly Adopting.org Newsletter and Adoption.com Newsletter August 6, 2002 To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit www.AdoptionWeek.com. ************************ IN THIS ISSUE ************************ 1. ANNOUNCEMENTS: - Thanks from Adoption.com to NACAC conference - Parenting support group chat - Free adoption-related advice - Adoption songwriting competition - Call for articles 2. NEW ARTICLES 3. ADOPTION NEWS 4. ADOPTION BITS & BYTES - this issue: the whys and hows of using a life book 5. DAVE THOMAS CENTER FOR ADOPTION - news summary 6. ADOPTION BOOK CLUB - adoption book review 7. MEET NEW ADOPTIVE PARENTS 8. ADOPTION BUZZ - recent message board discussions 9. FEATURED WAITING CHILD 10. ADOPTION GEM - inspirational thought 11. ADOPTION SITE SPOTLIGHT 12. AUTHORATIVE DESTINATION - international adoption 13. JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT - clean weekly humor 14. FEATURED ADOPTION PROFESSIONAL 15. ADOPTIONSHOP.COM PICK - review of an adoption product 16. SPEAK OUT - contributions from our readers 17. ADOPTION ONLINE GROUP REVIEW 18. ADOPTION POETRY 19. ADOPTION CALENDAR - adoption events, seminars, & chats*************************************************************** | GuaranteedAdoptionSearch.com AdoptionFinancing.com AdoptionMusic.com |
|
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS THANKS FROM ADOPTION.COM TO NACAC CONFERENCE Adoption.com just returned from the annual NACAC conference, which was in Chicago, and would like to thank all of the attendees, vendors, and conference staff for their hospitality in making it such a wonderful trip. We highly recommend that each of you consider attending the conference next year. For more information, visit www.nacac.org. PARENTING SUPPORT GROUP CHAT Bring your current parenting dilemma to our online support group. We are here to help by answering questions and sharing with each other. Come discuss creative ideas for your current situation. It helps so much to "talk it out." Join Dimasmom Wednesdays at 6 pm Pacific, 7 pm Mountain, 8 pm Central, 9 pm Eastern. ALL desiring better relationships with children are welcome. Scroll down to enter through schedule at: AdoptionChat.com. FREE ADOPTION-RELATED ADVICE It's just a few clicks away! Bring your questions and concerns to receive advice and prayer. Your questions will be answered by social workers, birthmothers, attorneys, therapists, search experts, authors, domestic and international agency experts. Bring your concerns about infertility, reuniting, and any aspect of adoption to our interactive expert discussion boards at AdoptionForums.com. ADOPTION SONGWRITING COMPETITION Adoption.com recently produced a CD of favorite adoption songs, AdoptionMusic.com. Due to the overwhelming popularity of this CD, Adoption.com is starting production of a second cd compilation of adoption music to be released in February, and Adoption.com sponsoring a contest for original adoption songs. The winner will receive $500, and all songs recorded on the CD will receive industry-standard royalties for each CD sold. All entries (demo tapes) must be received by Sept. 10, 2002. See Adoption.com website Terms of Service for additional conditions. Tapes will not be returned. Contact editor@adoptionmedia.com with any questions. Please send all entries to: Adoption.com Songwriting Competition 2141 E. Broadway Rd., Suite 214 Tempe, AZ 85282 CALL FOR ARTICLES Adoption.com and Adopting.org will soon launch an online library that will ultimately contain thousands of articles related to adoption, infertility, foster parenting, parenting, special needs and other related topics. We have already had more than 500 articles contributed. If you haven't written anything, we encourage you to share your story and your experience with others who can benefit from it. You can contribute any articles you have written at AdoptionWeek.com or to editor@adoptionmedia.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 2. NEW 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. A Gift - new article by Kathleen Gehrke It sounds idealistic and unreal to some to not be threatened by my childrens' "other parents". And on the day my ten-year-old son said, "I wished I lived with my real mom and never knew you." I had to stop and think and realize his loss of the family he never lived with was so huge I bet he did wish that at that moment. Perhaps many moments of his life. If I was him, I might also. http://e-magazine.adoption.com/article.php?articleid=94 Love Them Anyhow! - new article by Paula Horychuk my challenge to you, fellow adoptees, whether searching or reunited, is: Find out who your adoptive parents are & were, what they are going through...and where they've been. REALLY. http://e-magazine.adoption.com/article.php?articleid=95 Our Dreams Came True - new article by Karen Burton In 2000, our daughter went to the agency to find us, but the records were sealed. The only way to find us was to register with the courts in the hope that the judge would open the file. A process that could take many years. The women at the agency told my daughter to put an add on Adoption.com, and she did. http://e-magazine.adoption.com/article.php?articleid=96 Read these articles at AdoptionWeek.com Back to Top *************************************************************** AdoptionFinancing.com is now offering a brand new adoption financing program. Fill out the application at AdoptionFinancing.com and they will work with their network of more than 30 different lenders to find the right financing for your needs. *************************************************************** 3. ADOPTION NEWS Georgian Baby Gets New Home (TX) http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://www.trnonline.com/stories/08042002/regional_news/33167.shtml Chinese Adoption Goes Awry (CO) http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E26%257E770416%257E,00.html Family Oriented Plan (FL) http://www.naplesnews.com/02/08/business/d320659a.htm U.S. Soldiers Visit Afghan Orphans http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020728/ap_on_re_as/afghan_orphanage_2 Vietnamese Court Convicts Eight for Selling Children for Foreign Adoption (Vietnam) http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020801/ap_wo_en_ge/vietnam_foreign_adoption_1 Couple Who Kidnapped Baby Sentenced (NY) http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020731/ap_on_re_us/adopt_kidnap_case_2 A House That's Built on Foundation of Love (WA) http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/northwestlife/134501844_essay28.html Mega-Families Bring 'It Takes a Village' to Life (VA) http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2002-07-29-adoption_x.htm If any of the links to the news articles do not work, Click Here for a list of headlines. Back to Top *************************************************************** 4. ADOPTION BITS & BYTES THE WHYs AND HOWs OF USING A LIFE BOOK by Pat Johnston As a long-time adoption educator, I'm often seen as a resource by those looking for hard-to-find information. Adoption Bits & Bytes is a column/e-letter designed to put you in touch with some of those resources. Each issue will focus on one topic. This month's web browsing has led me to share with you a collection of links on the overall topic Whys and Hows of Using a Life Book. Adoptive parents frequently ask questions about life books, memory books, and baby books. Now of course these three concepts are closely related, but they are not one-in-the-same. They have slightly differing purposes, and each is used primarily with children of differing ages. The resources below are about life/memory books. We'll save the topic of baby books for another issue of this column. The Pact: An Adoption Alliance web site carries a great article called "The Life Story Book" by Vera Fahlberg (author of the PP book A Child's Journey through Placement.) Start with that article, found at PactAdopt.org. Follow that with the excellent article "Beginning a Life Book" by adoptive parent (from Romania) Stuart M. Fedak, B.Sc.(Pharm), M.Sc. That can be found at http://home.interlynx.net/~ve3smf/. Many families simply don't feel "creative enough" to start a lifebook from scratch. For those, there are a number of excellent "starter items" now available. For example, Beth O'Malley's Lifebooks: Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child at AdoptionLifeBooks.com by a former-foster-kid/adoptee/socialworker is really very much a step-by-step "how to" for parents. The author also frequently speaks to parent groups and social workers about how to do lifebooks Susan Gabel's Filling in the Blanks: A Guided Look at Growing Up Adopted, designed for use with kids of middle school and early high school age, is on the Perspectives Press' site at PerspectivesPress.com. Get specifics on The Adoption Option Life Book at Adoption.elitehost.com. The Heart of a Rainbow Memory Book (for children with special needs) is offered at HeartfeltPress.net. A Dream Came True memory book from Adorable Adoptees is described at AdorableAdoptees.com/. Out of the Box digital memories OutoftheBoxImages.com Some of the above, and more life book/memory book tools, can be found here on Adoption.com and Adopting.org at Adoptionshop.com, as well as other excellent adoption book sites such as Tapestry Books, AdoptShoppe, Celebrate the Child, BCAdoption, and more. Coming soon: Legal Links. This will not include links to the websites of specific attorneys, but instead sites having to do with special issues in adoption law. If you have any ideas for inclusion, please send them to me info@perspectivespress.com. Patricia Irwin Johnston is a mom through adoption, the publisher at Perspectives Press, Inc.: The Infertility and Adoption Publisher, an internationally known infertility and adoption educator and the author of several books, including Adoption Is a Family Affair!, Adopting after Infertility, Launching a Baby's Adoption, and Perspectives on a Grafted Tree. Back to Top *************************************************************** 5. DAVE THOMAS CENTER FOR ADOPTION LAW WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY July 30, 2002 "VIETNAM TIGHTENS CONTROLS ON FOREIGN ADOPTIONS" Vietnam recently introduced a new decree, which tightens controls over foreign adoptions of Vietnamese children. The new decree was developed as an attempt to halt fraud and child trafficking. Under the decree, all adoptions must be approved by a special foreign adoption agency in the Ministry of Justice. Furthermore, Vietnamese children may only be adopted by foreigners from countries who have a bilateral adoption agreement with Vietnam. Yahoo! News; Monday, July 22, 2002; SECTION: POLITICS. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020722/ap_wo_en_po/vietnam_foreign_adoptions_1 "PITCH TO PUSH NEWBORN SAFETY NET; ABANDONED OAKLAND BABY SHOWS NEED FOR PUBLICITY, OFFICIALS SAY" - by Janine DeFao Since the implementation of the "Safe Arms for Newborns," a California state law that allows mothers to escape criminal charges if they leave unwanted babies at hospitals, eight women have turned their babies over to hospitals, while far more babies have been abandoned. Many people believe the law has potential, but has been hampered by lack of publicity. The San Francisco Chronicle; Tuesday, July 23, 2002; Final Edition; SECTION: BAY AREA; Pg. A13. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/07/23/BA232421.DTL Credit: Dave Thomas Center for Adoption Law Link: http://www.law.capital.edu/adoption Back to Top *************************************************************** 6. ADOPTION BOOK CLUB  PAINFUL LESSONS, LOVING BONDS~THE HEART OF OPEN ADOPTION The "secret ingredient" for healthy intimacy between parents and child. The dangers of the wrong kind of open adoption. How we should respond when birth parents "reclaim" children. What adoptive parents must do for themselves, for the sake of their children How every adoption can be open, in the most loving way. For more information on this book, visit http://adoptionshop.com/cgi-bin/products/ADI00996.html. Back to Top *************************************************************** 7. MEET NEW ADOPTIVE PARENTS Outdated material has been removed. Please visit ParentProfiles.com. Back to Top ***************************************************************  Adoption is music to our ears...now it can be for you, too. Adoption.com's new adoption CD, "Adoption...The Songs You Love", is dedicated to everyone who has been touched by adoption in one way or another. ORDER YOUR CD! http://adoptionshop.com/cgi-bin/products/ADP00022.html Back to Top *************************************************************** 8. ADOPTION BUZZ Poetry: - Memories of an Angel Outdated material has been removed. Please visit AdoptionBoards.com. Birthmothers' Stories: - Met My Daughter! Outdated material has been removed. Please visit AdoptionBoards.com. Adoptee Support: - Need Your Thoughts On... Outdated material has been removed. Please visit AdoptionBoards.com. @Babytalk: - Wants Feedback Outdated material has been removed. Please visit AdoptionBoards.com. If any of the links above do not work, visit Adoption.com for direct links to these discussions. For more online adoption discussions visit AdoptionBoards.com, AdoptionCafe.com and AdoptionForums.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 9. FEATURED WAITING CHILD 
Juan Carlos is Julio's younger brother. He is currently in the third grade and doing average work academically. Juan is well liked by teachers and classmates. Both him and his brother enjoy outings, participating in the YMCA program, and Royal Rangers. They like animals and would like animals: a dog, cat, talking parrot. Juan Carlos is of average build and height, with dark brown hair and eyes. He is active, affectionate and curious. He loves sports and bike riding. Juan has shown himself to be responsible, motivated, and well mannered.AdoptableKids.com is a free community service of Adoption.com featuring more than 1,000 children awaiting loving, permanent homes. Back to Top *************************************************************** 10. ADOPTION GEM is the secret to surviving, even thriving. - Wendy Reid Crisp Take each day as you find it. If things go wrong, don't mind it, for each day leaves behind it, a chance to start anew. - Gertrude Ellgas See a daily adoption gem at Adoption.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 11. ADOPTION SITE SPOTLIGHT This week, our adoption spotlight is shining on: BabyCareGuide.com. You have pictured this child in your mind forever and sometimes in a moment's notice your dream has become a reality. Where do you begin? What do you need to do first and have right now, and what will you learn over time? This crash course is intended to provide support for those times when you wish that your new addition had come with an instruction manual. BabyCareGuide.com can prepare you for the arrival of your adoptive child, an experience filled with hopes and dreams that may have extended far beyond the nine months of a typical pregnancy. For a list of our favorite adoption websites, visit AdoptionSites.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 12. AUTHORATIVE DESTINATION InternationalAdoption.org is the internet's authoritative destination for international adoption. You will find fact sheets, adoption information, travel information, culture and heritage, maps, weather, books, currency exchange rates, periodicals, news and much more for dozens of different countries with active international adoption programs. This week, the country of focus is Cambodia. To learn more about Cambodia's government, geography, and communication information, or its history, visit CambodiaAdoption.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 13. JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT BEFORE AND AFTER When I was younger, I remember receiving the inevitable homework assignment to write an essay on "something I am thankful for". Then I'd spend a lot of time sitting in my room trying to figure out just what in the world that could possibly be; and I'd end up writing down everything I could think of from God to environmental consciousness. But after having children, my priorities have clearly changed: BEFORE CHILDREN: I was thankful to have been born the USA, the most powerful free democracy in the world. AFTER CHILDREN : I am thankful for Velcro tennis shoes. As well as saving valuable time, now I can hear the sound of my son taking off his shoes -- which gives me three extra seconds to activate the safety locks on the back seat windows right before he hurls them out of the car and onto the freeway. BEFORE CHILDREN: I was thankful for the recycling program which will preserve our natural resources and prevent the overloading of landfills. AFTER CHILDREN : I am thankful for swim diapers because every time my son wanders into water in plain disposables, he ends up wearing a blimp the size of, say, New Jersey, on his bottom. BEFORE CHILDREN: I was thankful for the opportunity to vacation in exotic foreign countries so I could experience a different way of life in a new culture. AFTER CHILDREN : I am thankful to have time to make it all the way down the driveway to get the mail. BEFORE CHILDREN: I was thankful for the Moosewood Vegetarian cookbook. AFTER CHILDREN : I am thankful for the butterball turkey hotline. BEFORE CHILDREN: I was thankful for a warm, cozy home to share with my loved ones. AFTER CHILDREN : I am thankful for the lock on the bathroom door. BEFORE CHILDREN: I was thankful for material objects like custom furniture, a nice car and trendy clothes. AFTER CHILDREN : I am thankful when the baby spits up and misses my good shoes. BEFORE CHILDREN: I was thankful for my wonderful family. AFTER CHILDREN : I am thankful for my wonderful family! Back to Top *************************************************************** 14. FEATURED ADOPTION PROFESSIONAL Adoption Choice, Inc. Milwaukee, WI Phone: (414) 276-3262 adoptionchoiceinc@hotmail.com Licensed by the state of Wisconsin since 1986 providing International adoption services in China, Vietnam, Bulgaria, Guatemala and Ukraine. Services: • Adoption Agencies • Home Studies • International Adoption Countries: • Bulgaria • China • Guatemala • Ukraine • Vietnam For more information on Adoption Choice, Inc., visit AdoptionChoice.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 15. ADOPTIONSHOP.COM PICK 
Dedicated to the One I Love CD by Linda Ronstadt - Only $11.95Adoptive mom and hit recording star Linda Ronstadt dedicates this moving CD to her adopted child. This recording is exclusively aimed at parents of newborns, transforming boomer standards into light-as-air lullabies. This CD will change the way you hear these songs compared to their original recordings. Linda's singing is angelic and enchanting. For more information and ordering instructions, visit http://adoptionshop.com/cgi-bin/products/ADP00056.html. For more adoption products, visit http://adoptionshop.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 16. SPEAK OUT I am a new adoptive mom, and the comments I see on here scare me to death. It seems NO ONE has a kind word to say about their adoptive parents. Is it just that the happy people just go on with their lives without talking about it, or do a majority of adult adoptees feel this way? Why is everyone so negative? These comments and attitudes are probably some of the reasons adoptive parents freak out about their children searching for birthfamilies. I hope we are able to maintain contact with our daughter's birthmother, but life does not always turn out like we want. I don't want my daughter growing up to hate me, but we will raise her the best we can. Adoptees should think hard about the life they could have had. Everyone has their cross to bear! - Lane --------------------------------- I would like to share my sucess story. I was adopted in the UK in 1988. As I recently turned 18, I decided to start searching for my biological father, (thinking) this would help me get to know more about myself. As I set about on my search for my dad, I found it was very hard to find him. I contract(ed) several agencies over in New Zealand and found not one of them to be very helpful, as they didn't really understand what it was like. Then I came by some luck: I found the email address of an English based investigator that I contracted; his name was Glyn Pearce. As I'd already done a lot of work myself, I found that every bit of information I had was a great help. And surprise! Within three days, this investigator had found my dad. I found Glyn to be very helpful with this search, and after looking around and checking out prices, I found Glyn to be by far the best deal for my money. Without him, I wouldn't have had the pleasure of just sending my dad his first ever Father's Day present. Be patient; they can be found. - Jenny --------------------------------- I had a very bad attitude as a teenager. Now, as I get older, I get depressed a lot, but I am on meds to help the sadness that's so deep inside me. I only have one son, and that's what my husband wants. He has a son of his own from another marriage. His son is handicap; he has C.P. in the worst way. We have a lot on our plate, and I know that my son has a half brother, but its not the same. He's not going to have a close sibling and I feel for him. His cousins live far away, and he only sees them once a year. I need help finding them. It seems that everyone wants to take money from me. That's sad that they ask for money. If I had any clue, I would never asked for money. It would be a joy to help someone lost. I NEED HELP!!! - LONELY --------------------------------- I read Susan's comment about the Disney movie Country Bears and her daughter's response to that movie. I really appreciated her sensitivity to her daughter's feelings. I am both an adoptee and a birthmom who had to give up a child. I am extremely grateful to the family that has raised the child I gave up. My hope and prayer is that they have been as sensitive to his experience and feelings as Susan was to her daughter. For adoptive parents, I ask you to please read all the books you can find on the experience of being adopted. No matter how loved we are, we do experience the world differently. Please learn as much as you can so you will be able to recognize the times your children need that kind of sensitivity, like Susan did. Thank you, Susan!! - Donna Indiana BMom ISO son Zachary born 12/7/83 Indiana Adoptee born 8/3/60 ISO Bfamily "People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstance. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them." - George Ber --------------------------------- I wanted to respond to Kristi about the comment her mother made about two babies. I too have had similar comments from my mother-in-law. My husband and I have been fortunate in the last nine-months to adopt two babies (our first two children). We now have an 8 month old son and a 7 week old daughter. When they called about our daughter and we told my mother-in-law, she was less than supportive. She went as far as to visit our sitter (my sister in-law) and tell her to tell us she couldn't watch two infants. She also likes to make little snide comments about our ever expanding family. I heard a quote recently that explains how I feel completely, "if you have love in your heart then there is always room in your house." We plan on at least 4 or 5 children, so I am learning to ignore ignorant comments and live our life the way we want and how it feels right. - Julie --------------------------------- My reponse as a birthmother, RAMSEY COUNTY: Child protection system opens: This is outrageous, but I know it happens in some homes. What upsets me most is I see these people that do these horrible acts to their children, yet, they get their children back. Take my own mother for instance: she got me back when she was still using drugs. Hello! What kind of system is this? I was 11 and entered CSD Custody for the first time. I am 28 now, and I have a lot of built up hate for the system in Oregon. While in custody, at 16, I had my first son. They took him from me when he was 1 and 1/2 months old, when they should have placed us together in a place called White Shield or just let us get on sec 8. But, no, they separated us, then 3 yrs later, terminated my parental rights. I never hurt or endangered my son in any way, shape, or form. As a matter of fact, I had a house nurse checking my son weekly and showing me how to do things. Tell me, what do you think? I tried talking to lawyers, but nobody would touch the case because CSD, CPS, or whatever they changed their name to now flat out lied in court like the parenting class worker in Portland Oregon. I have witnesses still to this day. I watched them all one by one get their kids back in parenting class for almost 2 yrs. I was suppose to get mine back, and instead, they relinquished my parental rights. I did everything they told me to, and I should not have been made to do in the first place, because I never did anything wrong beside have a child while in the system. I'm still looking for my boys: Justin 1989, Jason 1990, and Christopher 1992, all placed together, so I have heard. (They were) taken by a couple I believe named Karen and Steve in Oregon. I myself will never trust the system again. My faith has been broken for quite some time now. I want justice against all the workers who purposely hurt me and took my children from me for no apparent reason beside to adopt them for the money. Or was it that their jobs where threatened??? I wonder...Tina Marie --------------------------------- My adoptive mother didn't want to know where we really came from, so she would feel like we were her own. I have had no luck searching, because I have no name, only that the foster people called me Susie. I was born and adopted in Muncie, Ind. I was born in Feb. 1959, but according to the story, taken from birth family at about 8 mo for abuse. Birth family had 2 or 3 children die and 2 or 3 adopted out, supposedly very big people with house with dirt floor. No names or spefic dates. Anyone know where I could start looking? Contact me at hellidontknow59@yahoo.com. Thanks, Susan --------------------------------- To Speak Out and share your opinion or a comment, or to respond to a message, e-mail editor@adoption.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 17. ADOPTION ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP REVIEW Here's a recent post from the Adoptee Support group: Hi, Kay, I read your response to Penny and just want you to know that it goes both ways. I was adopted out at age 4 (actually I was black-marketed because my birth father made my adopted parents give him money over and over under the threat that he would come back and get me). I finally found my birth mother (Deloris) and talked to her sister (my aunt) who said that Deloris would not talk to me. I asked my aunt to call her and ask her again. My aunt called back and said that Deloris would not see or talk to me. That was in the 80s. I found her again a month ago...again talking through my Aunt. I also found one of my brothers. My birth mother sent word through my brother that I just found that she did not want to see or talk to me. This is twice since I have been an adult that she has refused to even talk to me on the phone, let alone anything else. So, I am going to leave her alone...I don't need her to reject me for the forth time. I am still looking for my other living brother and have found out that one of my brothers passed away and my birth father passed away. However, my birth father's second wife is very anxious for us to get together...which we will do as soon as I can afford the trip. It is very scary from both sides, I guess, whether you are a parent looking for a child that might reject you or whether you are a child looking for a parent that might reject you. Rejection is rejection. Your daughter may feel that you rejected her at birth...not knowing the whole story. If you know where she is, have you tried putting the story in writing and sending it to her? You have lost her otherwise, so what more would you have to lose by writing it down and mailing it to her? Just a thought. The best and most powerful way to reach her, though, would be praying for the Lord to move in her heart toward you and, somehow, reveal the truth to her. Just another thought! You might enjoy my song on the "Music" page of my site called, "I Need You, Daddy." It could go for a mother, too, and God could put it in her heart how much she needs to fill the void in her life for her birth mom, as I had in mine after losing two fathers. Your Adoptee-Support Sister, Marlene www.marlene.org To be part of this group, visit http://adoptionlist.com, register, and join. Back to Top *************************************************************** 18. ADOPTION POETRY EMPTY ARMS I reach for you,but you're not there. Do you reach for me? I've often wondered if you care, If I'm a part of what I can't see. I hope you remember The love you shared. How much you cared One night in December. You held me once & gave me a name But never chose to stake your claim... Empty arms Our lives entwined. To search,to gain, To seek,to find. - Patricia Hodge 1996 For more adoption poetry, visit AdoptionPoetry.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 19. ADOPTION CALENDAR CHAT SCHEDULE: Sunday: Evening with Loretta for reunion support group chat at 6pm Pacific, 7pm Mountain, 8pm Central, 9pm Eastern. Monday: Evening with Karen DeLuca in adoptee room! Join her at 4:30pm Pacific, 5:30pm Mountain, 6:30pm Central, 7:30pm Eastern. Evening with Carol Bird in birthfamily support group chat, hosted in Search and Reunion chat room at 5:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Mountain, 7:30pm Central, 8:30pm Eastern until about 11:00pm. Eastern. Evening with Dr. Art Becker-Weidman, ask him questions on attachment therapy and treating children with trauma-attachment disorders. Join him in the Adopting.org chat room at 2pm Pacific, 3pm Mountain, 4pm Central, 5pm Eastern. Evening with Kathy; discuss ideas on getting started in the amazing journey of adoption. Join her at 7pm Pacific, 8pm Mountain, 9pm Central, 10pm Eastern in the Adopting.org chat room. Tuesday: Birthmom chat with Jennifer in the BirthMother.com chat room on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Tuesday, at 6:30pm Pacific, 7:30pm Mountain, 8:30pm Central, 9:30pm Eastern. Birth mom chat with Linda in Search and Reunion chat room at 6pm Pacific, 7pm Mountain, 8pm Central, 9pm Eastern. General adoption chat with Jamie in the Adopting.org chat room at 7pm Pacific, 8pm Mountain, 9pm Central, 10pm Eastern. Wednesday: Pre- and adoptive parent chat with JJ and friends - Help as you begin the adoption process. Hosted in Adopting.org chat room at 5pm Pacific, 6pm Mountain, 7pm Central, 8pm Eastern. Join an informative chat on the ups and downs of reunion hosted by Sabra since 1997. Talk out your next step and share your experiences in search and reunion at 7pm Pacific, 8pm Mountain, 9pm Central, 10pm Eastern in the Search and Reunion chat room. International adoption with Donna at 5pm Pacific, 6pm Mountain, 7pm Central, 8pm Eastern in InternationalAdoption.com chat room. Parenting issues for adoptive/foster parents with Dimasmom in FosterParenting.com chat room at 6pm Pacific, 7pm Mountain, 8pm Central, 9pm Eastern. Thursday: Evening with Colleen Buckner, search expert, in Search and Reunion chat room at 6pm Pacific, 7pm Mountain, 8pm Central, 9pm Eastern. Open adoption with Stephanie in Adopting.org chat room at 9pm Pacific, 10pm Mountain, 11pm Central, 12pm Eastern. Friday: Meet Louise and others in a forum for parents with children that may have physical challenges and/or emotional challenges in the InternationalAdoption.com chat room at 6pm Pacific, 7pm Mountain, 8pm Central, 9pm Eastern. Transracial and general adoption with Trish at 7pm Pacific, 8pm Mountain, 9pm Central, 10pm Eastern in the InternationalAdoption.com chat room. If you are having a "limbo" type experience with your reunion, come and talk it over with those who've "been there-done that" themselves. Join co-hosting birth mothers, April and Judy, in the Search and Reunion room on Fridays: 5p.m. Pacific, 6p.m. Mountain, 7p.m. Central, 8p.m. Eastern. Saturday: Older child adoption/foster care behavioral issues with Jerry in FosterParenting.com chat room at 6pm Pacific, 7pm Mountain, 8pm Central, 9pm Eastern. For a listing of times and descriptions and to attend scheduled chats, or join the live chat, visit AdoptionChat.com. ADOPTION EVENTS: ADOPTION AWARENESS ALLIANCE - Fun With Music August 23 (7 – 8:30 pm) This evening will be the Adoption Center version of an old-fashion coffeehouse! Sing-along with musician and adoptive Dad, Michael Raymond-Ball, as he leads you on a journey around the world through live and recorded music. This program will be appropriate for all ages, but will especially focus on little one fun. Registration: Fees are $5 per child, adults free. Member discounts are available. Reservations are required. For more information, or to register, call (513) 771-3515 or e-mail adoptionalliance@fuse.net. SEMINAR ON HOW TO ADOPT INTERNATIONALLY August 24 (1 - 3 pm) Embassy Suites Hotel, Alpharetta, GA Genesis Adoptions Provides details about the process and requirements of inter-country adoption. The seminar is Free, but pre-registration is required. Call Genesis Adoptions at (678) 393-7300 to register. NJ'S LET'S TALK ADOPTION CONFERENCE November 2 Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ NJ will hold it's annual Let's Talk Adoption Conference. Keynote speaker: Deborah Hage, MSW Registration material will be available soon. Contact conference@cpfanj.org or (908) 273-5694 for more information or to be placed on the mailing list. ADOPTION AWARENESS ALLIANCE - Fall Family Retreat November 2nd (9a.m.) - 3rd (noon) Camp Joy, Clarksville, OH There will be a retreat for families who have adopted. For further information call (513)771-3515 or AdoptAlliance.org. NATIONAL OPEN ADOPTION CONFERENCE FOR ADOPTION PROFESSIONALS November 4 & 5 Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort The National Federation for Open Adoption Education - 11th Biennial conference, "Open Adoption in Practice" This conference offers adoption professionals "hands-on" training to implement open adoption or sharpen their skills in providing this service. Featured speakers include: Adam Pertman, author of "Adoption Nation", David Brodzinsky, PhD, Co-Author "Being Adopted--The Lifelong Search for Self," and Kathleen Silber, MSW, Co-Author "Dear Birthmother" and "Children of Open Adoption." For information or a conference brochure, contact the NFOAE at (925) 827-2229 or online at AdoptionHelp.org (click on conference). For local listings, regional seminars, and many other adoption events, visit AdoptionCalendar.com. Back to Top ___________________________________________________________________ CALL FOR CONTENT Adoption Week Magazine is looking for well-written adoption-related articles, poems, quotes, book reviews, news, event announcements, product reviews, photos, successful adoption and reunion stories, clean humor, job openings, letters to the editor, reviews of adoption websites, product recalls, information on adoption legislation, great deals on adoption and family-related products, other adoption-related content. To submit content, or if you would like to be interviewed or to nominate someone for an adoption service award, please visit AdoptionWeek.com. TO ADVERTISE Would you like to advertise in the Adoption Week e-mail magazine? Call 1-800-ADOPT-HERE or e-mail sales@adoption.com for more advertising information. REFER IT We hope you enjoyed this issue of Adoption Week Magazine and encourage you to forward it to others who might find this information useful. TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE If you want a free weekly e-mail subscription to Adoption Week e-Magazine, or would like to unsubscribe, visit AdoptionWeek.com. DISCLAIMER This e-magazine is provided as a free community service, and by using and reading it you agree to the terms and conditions as posted at AdoptionWeek.com. Adoption.com makes no warrantee about the accurateness of any information in this magazine, and does not endorse any adoption professional, adoption product or other adoption service. If you have received this e-mail erroneously, or do not agree to the terms of this disclaimer, please unsubscribe. | |
