Aside from those few people who firmly decide as children that they will eventually build their family through adoption, most come to the first steps in the adoption journey by way of a meandering path that may take them through infertility, second families, concerns over over-population, or any of as many reasons as there are adoptive families.

Occasionally, a potential adoptive parent comes to the process feeling a deep connection for one part of the world, and is immediately attracted to the idea of adopting internationally as a way to... more

Most all the world understands the wish to have a child, to begin a family, it seems to be a basic human desire. Why then is it so difficult for society to understand when couples who want to become parents would then wish to adopt a child? How can it become so hard to understand when a child needs permanency that adoption can be an option? Why adoption? Well aren’t there many positive reasons why people would choose adoption?

When you consider all the many waiting children the world round who are desperately in need of the love and... more

The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter and he became her son. And she named him Moses, and said, "Because I drew him out of the water." (Exodus 2:10; NASB)

One of the most famous adoptees in the Bible is Moses. We can learn much about adoption from him:

Many circumstances lead to the adoption decision: As we know from the story of Moses, his birth family loved him very much. The family faced governmental persecution and genocide was rampant under this regime. Thus,... more

It was sunny and about 70 degrees here in Michigan today, which was a welcomed change from the intermittent spring snow and rain we’ve been having. What could possibly make such a day even more glorious? Our Foster Adoptive Family Resource and Support Center offered a free respite Saturday from 9AM until 4PM, for children between newborn and 12 years old who were part of an adoptive family or part of a foster family. The Center had games, activities, and meals planned for the children and they had a great time. All parents had to do, to take advantage of the free day of care, was... more

Over on the Anti-Racist Parent blog, there is a short video about transracial adoption and one of the main interviewees is a Korean adoptee. I found it very interesting because it’s talking a lot about racial identity. It gives the view point of an adoptee and the view point of the adoptive parents.

There is a lot stress on the fact that parents need to make sure they are exposing their children to the culture of their birth (no matter what that culture is). What I really agreed with is that it they mention that it goes beyond an occasional adoptee picnic or a couple... more

I love so many things about adoption that it's hard to choose just a few. Still, when asked to come up with just 10 while at a foster care/adoption picnic this afternoon, these were the ten I chose:

1. Adoption has given me a chance to love very specifically chosen children.

2. Adoption teaches that a heart doesn’t have a limited capacity to love, but rather seems to grow just the ‘right amount’ for each child.

3. Adoption has taught me more compassion. As my life has grown to include many different adopted children and all... more

photo courtesy Stock.XCHNG

Sometimes people confuse facts and opinions in adoption. There are certain absolute truths in adoption. However, there are also many differing opinions about various issues. Knowing the difference between the two is important when discussing adoption.

Separating fact from opinion can often be complicated, and not that easy to do. For instance, whether adoption is a positive or negative experience is a matter of opinion. Adoption serves some people well. Others, it may adversely affect their lives forever and contain no... more

The BBC News reported on Friday that the fighting in Somalia has halted for the moment after the Ethiopian forces chased Somalian insurgents out of the suburbs of Mogadishu. According to the U.N., heavy fighting in the past two months has caused more displaced people in Somalia than in any other country in the world.

Stephanie Bunker, spokeswoman for UN relief coordinator John Holmes, said at least 350,000 people had fled fighting in Mogadishu since February. There is also concern for those trapped in the city, where more than 600 have died from acute diarrhoea and cholera. (Source: BBC 'Worst Refugee Crisis')

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Honestly, I did a lousy job of dealing with the fact of my son’s closed adoption. Instead of dealing with the pain, I blocked it out and saved it up. At reunion, it was like a volcano erupted (I was the volcano). All those buried emotions came to the surface with a vengeance and brought me to my knees. There are better ways to deal with a closed adoption. Ignoring it all allows you to survive, but there is a price to not attending to dealing with your loss. In retrospect, I would have handled a lot differently. Here are better ways to deal... more

Since I am not an adoptive parent, I have not dealt with this issue much so far. Eventually I will need to discuss adoption with my grandchildren. However, I would like to tell you how I think many birth mothers would prefer their children learn about adoption in closed adoptions: 1) Most birth mothers understand that their children should know about adoption from the very beginning. Not only does it make sense to me that adoption is treated as a fact of life to adoptees, not a Greek tragedy, experts agree. They also agree that in... more