Have you ever worried or thought about the how to or about the process of adopting in your 40's, 50's (and beyond?)....

Never fear! We are here to help. - After all, the three bloggers on this site are all older, wiser, adoptive parents. We write about our experience, we listen, we learn, we share.

There are plenty of other people talking and writing on the net. Nancy Ashe, author and editor, is one. She... more

I haven't read this book yet, but I want to! Okay, okay, I know I'm breaking cardinal rule #1 of book reviewing, but I have a good reason: I read a wonderful review of Tracy Thompson, the author of The Ghost in the House: Motherhood, Raising Children and Struggling with Depression on Salon.com and it sounds like a great read. It'll be out August 8. I wanted... more

Picture: Natasha in Mama's Hat

I adopted my daughter Natasha from Ukraine in December 2000. She was 3.5 years old.

Natasha was full of anger and had every right to her anger. She was in the orphange system for 2.5 years. I believe that the adults did the best that they could. But Natasha was in an institution. She did not have a single item that she could call her own.

When you see underwear that you wore last week on someone else....

You have to know that you own nothing. Natasha had very little... more

This is a continuation of my summary of a review of The Ghost in the House: Motherhood, Raising Children, and Struggling with Depression, by Tracy Thompson. The review was found on Salon.com. Here's part 1 of the review.

Thompson explains why mothers... more

I also believe that sometimes there is an element of denial for some few adoptive parents who think their excellent parenting is able to "fix" and eliminate all adoption issues. ("Denial" that word everyone hates to hear. Unfortunately, many of us birth and adoptive parents sometimes employ it in adoption scenarios.) Of course, good parenting can certainly help a child grow and thrive. However, I think it is a mistake to believe even the best parenting can eliminate all adoption issues.

I was pleased to see acknowledgment that adoption issues... more

As a licensed foster, (preparing to adopt) parent, you must follow your state rules and regulations on fire safety. As part of my series on preparing your home for the inspector, I’m listing the Colorado State statues on fire safety. They should be the same or similiar in your state - check with your local DHS office or agency to be sure.

1. Fire hazards, such as defective electrical appliances and electric cords,... more

Some adoption experts now believe that it is better for a baby to bond first with its biological mother. If there is even a possibility that it may help her baby's future bonding with the adoptive parents and others, I believe that a first mother should spend as much time with her baby as she feels able to do so. She owes that to her baby, in my opinion, even if it is difficult for her. In the long run, she probably will be glad that she did.

As for informing hospital employees that a baby may be placed for adoption, I believe that is a mother's choice. She needs to decide... more

My eight year old just informed me that today is opposite day...that was his reasoning when questioned as to why he was calling me “Dad”, why his socks were on his hands and why when I asked if he wanted breakfast he said “no” and then went and sat in his seat at the table. Ahhhhhhhh….there is nothing quite like eight year old boys.

But, in the spirit of things, I decided that instead of an “un-photographable” today, (since it is opposite day) I would share a photo with you.

Here is my angel Belane, sleeping. Isn’t she gorgeous?

I... more

"Sure, they fell in love with him, and I'm happy for that … (but) blood belongs with blood," said Dawn Kurtz of Grosse Ile. "I will lay my life on the line for him and so will Papa."

That is the grandmother of two year old Antonio talking. She has unsuccessfully fought for custody of her grandson, now being adopted by the foster parents.

In an unusual ruling, the high court has favored foster parents for adoption over birth family and sibling relationships. The grandparents have... more

While wandering around the airport in London with hours still to kill before our flight to Addis, we hear the increasingly piercing screams of a very unhappy baby, held by a harried mother with a pained look on her face, and even in this packed waiting room there's a ring of space around them, and people just past the buffer of space are looking away resignedly and unhappily as the baby's screams rattle all our ears. Thinking we might be in the same predicament on the way home, I go to the mother to ask if her baby is sick. As I speak I pat his arching, sweaty back, feeling for fever and thinking maybe if he is sick I can offer her some baby Tylenol, but she says he isn't sick, he just needs... more