One unexpected side-effect of the Covid-19 pandemic has been how it has brought many adoptions screeching to a halt. Shutdowns make documentation, matching, and getting to know expectant mothers difficult and sometimes impossible. Adoptions can be frustrating under the best circumstances, but how can you cope when a pandemic has your adoption on hold?
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An open adoption is essentially a relationship between the adoptive parents, birth parents, and the child, versus a closed adoption, where the birth parents aren’t a part of the child’s upbringing whatsoever. In order for the open adoption to thrive, there are three key ingredients needed: commitment, communication, and flexibility.
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Open adoptions can be complicated, as you are essentially bringing together people of varying demographics. The birth parents may be currently enrolled in high school, living with their parents in a lower-income neighborhood, and working shifts at the neighborhood fast food joint, while the adoptive parents might be 35 with a household income of $100,000 a year. Not to mention the unequal power position of the adoptive parents over the birth parents.
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Attachment refers to the process of forming physical, psychological and emotional bonds between child and parent. For an infant, attachment begins in utero, as the fetus relies on the placenta for nourishment. Attachment for the mother begins after birth. Physical touch and comfort build the attachment between a baby and mother. Emotional and physical attachment between child and parent is required for a child to feel secure and have healthy relationships into adulthood.
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Adopting a child is an amazing process this union creates a loving family for a child to grow up in. Adoption is a long path filled with many unknowns, questions, ups, and downs. Before you begin the process, there are some questions you should consider. This article will review some important questions that will help you evaluate if adoption is the right choice for you.
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Expanding your family through adoption is an exciting and wonderful experience. As you wait for your newest family member to arrive, you may have questions or concerns you wish to voice to the expectant parents. Communication is the key to any successful adoption, but due to the delicate nature of this process, it helps to have an advocate. Adoption agencies provide professionals trained to mediate communication between birth parents and potential match families. This article will review some communication tips as you go through the adoption process before placement.
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Early childhood is a time of exploration, and if your young child is especially curious, they may have already begun asking questions related to their adoption. Talking with adopted children about adoption and their birth parents can feel daunting, but it is an absolutely necessary part of creating a healthy adoptive family. To help you take this vital step, below is some advice on how to make this conversation easier for both you and your child.
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In this time of COVID-19, social distancing, and digital learning, it’s become increasingly clear that parents are under a lot of stress. Unfortunately, this stress can often lead to exhaustion and burnout, which is extremely harmful to both parents and their children. If you’re worried that you might be approaching the point of burnout, here are some tips that can make coping with stress and exhaustion considerably easier.
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As you likely already know, the adoption process comes with a certain set of expected stresses — complicated paperwork, long conversations with officials, and plenty of waiting. However, in addition to these anticipated stressors, adoptive families often face additional stressful factors that are rarely talked about.
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Getting ready for a child to go to college is a challenging task for any parent, but it can be especially hard for transracial adoptees and their parents. Today, we’ll walk you through some tips for making sure your child is properly equipped to head to college.
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