Those who work in adoption spend a lot of time dispelling misconceptions about the process. These myths may be about the time needed, the costs, or even the children themselves. In order to help alleviate any worries you might have about adoption, we’re going to bust a few of the most common myths about the process.
The bag you take to the hospital is one thing you definitely want to have prepared ahead of time. After all, you don’t want to be progressing farther into labor as you hurry around your home, trying to remember what you want to bring with you. Consult the list below and pack your bag ahead of time to help ensure you are able to get to the hospital quickly when the time comes.
There have been quite a few high-profile celebrity adoptions, both domestic and international alike, that make headlines. However, there are also a few lesser-known adoptive parents in the entertainment industry that we’d like to highlight. These members of the adoption community might surprise you!
Life story books are an essential tool for adoptive families. These books provide a way for adopted childre to connect with their past, and a way for them to learn about their history from a time before they were old enough to remember. Below we discuss the value of a life story book and how to go about beginning one for your child.
Adoption is a long-term process; it doesn’t really end when the paperwork is signed, so neither should the support. Thankfully, the internet has given us a way to connect with people around the world who have valuable knowledge and experiences to share, and blogs are one of the best ways people have to share that knowledge. Whether you need an uplifting voice or some basic knowledge, there are adoption blogs here to help everyone.
Many people think that adopting a child in the United States is incredibly difficult, which has led to a focus on international adoption in recent years. While there can be some setbacks and difficulties in any adoption story, in many cases the process is smooth and simple.
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Families come in all colors and shapes and sizes. Back in the 1970’s, then-president Jimmy Carter’s Commission on the Family declared there is not just one definition for the many types of families that exist in the world, and that is certainly more true than ever today. Forty-odd years have passed since Carter’s commission, and few people question a family made up of different colors. However, because a small part of society still has the assumption that “like adopt like”, transracial adoption can cause some uncomfortable situations. Having some strategies for handling the questions that come just makes life simpler for all concerned. Though these situations can be frustrating, look at them as teachable moments which can help ease stereotypes and allow you to be an advocate for families simply as units of love. Continue reading
Many parents dread the words, “I want to find my birth parents.” However, there is nothing wrong with wanting to know about your biological roots. We all want to know who we are, but for adopted children, unless they find birth parents, gaps often remain. This does not mean parents have done anything wrong, but adoptees must also realize that this concept may be difficult for adoptive parents. The best way for parents and adoptees alike to deal with this is through open and honest communication. Continue reading
Women can experience highs and lows after labor. If is very important to be able to recognize the symptoms of postpartum depression and enable women to deal with it. Birthmothers can go through a period of loss including various stages of grief such as anger, sorrow, denial, shock, and depression. The adoption process is very emotional, so it’s completely normal that postpartum depression in birthmothers appears after the placement. Knowing this makes it so important for adoptive parents to empathize demonstrate compassion for birthmothers. We’ve listed some ways to manage some of the complications from postpartum depression. Continue reading
History and background is sometimes a sore subject with adopted children, as they may feel out of place or unsure of how their current life fits in with where they came from as they grow old enough to begin questioning these things. A life story book gives you a tool for recordkeeping as well as a place to tell the stories that will hopefully answer adoptee questions as they arise. In many cases, a life story book transforms into a beautiful collaborative work that the adoptee can also contribute to. Continue reading
