Want a measure of how far the Russian economy has come in recent years? Russians are putting money in their banks.

If you are an American of a certain age, that statement may seem to be a bit of a head-scratcher: Why wouldn't you put your money in a bank? Ask your grandmother, or anybody old enough to remember the Great Depression. When you don't have faith in your country's economy you don't put money in a bank.

But Russians are putting money in the bank now--in droves. According to a... more

My previous blog talked about the first visit with your child. What about future visits?

Your second visit will probably take place in the foster home again. You may stay at the home during the visit, or possibly take your child out for lunch. Slowly you will begin to transition visits to your home. You can expect your child to want to see the rooms that were in the pictures. This visit will probably bring out some anxiety in your child. Plan a calm activity, such as coloring, or a board game, to help ease him into... more

Kudos to my adoption agency for a fabulous reunion picnic on Saturday! It is an annual event that entails a lot of hard work and draws well over 2,000 people. There are multiple activities for children of all ages, food and lots of socializing. The park where it is held has a train, a carousel, mini-golf and lots of play areas that can accommodate such a huge crowd. The staff from our agency is there to greet and meet everyone in person and answer any questions or concerns.

One of the highlights for me was the surprise arrival of special guests... more

As my readers may know, I'm pretty open about my role as a birth mother even if it takes me awhile to find the comfort level with a person so that I can best share the information. Yet there are relationships that don't always leave room for deep and heartfelt conversations about things like adoption, debunking myths and how much I love my daughter. Casual relationships at work, friends of friends or family and other inconsequential meetings don't often leave time, room or need for a lengthy discussion on the topic.

That doesn't... more

Everybody knows that there are aspects to parenting that are just "yucky" and unpleasant, but are also just part of the job, such as poopy diapers, middle of the night "throw-ups" and snotty noses.

Well, when you adopt a child internationally, there is often a whole new side of "yucky stuff" to deal with. This stuff is unpleasant and sometimes down right gross. Some of it can be a real pain in the rear to get rid of. But in the grand scheme of parenting, it is all pretty minor stuff, and stuff that you can get past with the right tools, especially... more

One memorable feature about both of my previous flights to Ethiopia was a long layover in an unfamiliar airport. Since then I've found some helpful websites where travelers share tips about ways to best spend a loathsomely long layover in airports around the world. In this post I'll share some of the features travelers might find helpful about the airport in Frankfurt, Germany.

Activities for Children

One great feature of the airport in Frankfurt is a McDonald's with a kids play area. The food is more expensive than you'll pay in the U.S., and you'll... more

One of the conference attendees I met at the NACAC conference was an adult adoptee, not too many years younger than I. I’ll call her Mary. She was a Florida native and her early history unfolded in that same state, in an era when foster parents were not allowed to adopt and even less was known about attachment, bonding and child development. She is currently a GAL, or Guardian ad Litem, working in the child welfare arena.

When she was an infant, she was placed in a foster home that consisted... more

We read a lot about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FAS) here on the blogs from adoptive parents dealing with the issues their children live with after their pre-birth exposure, and this article from Canada expands the conversation, looking at the damage down the road.

Starting with a 19-year-old with problems in many aspects of her processing life as it comes, and going on to call FAS an "under-recognized national disaster",... more

...On Universal Love.

When the princes love one another there will be no more war; when heads of houses love one another there will be no more mutual theft of office; when ordinary people love one another there will be no more mutual injury. When ruler and ruled love each other they will be benevolent and loyal; when father and son love each other they will be affectionate and supportive; when older and younger siblings love each other they will have harmonious words for everyone. When all the people in the world love one another,... more

The day you have waited for is finally here. Your visit with your child. I can’t tell you how your child will react to your visit. I went through two different extremes.

The first time we met our son Sammy, he was scared, and did not want to see us at all. He was in a home with his biological brother, and didn’t want to leave him. He spent the entire 2 hour visit in his bedroom, looking at us through a crack in the door. We barely saw his face.

When we met our foster son Kory, he was standing on the porch... more