Almost all kids have points during childhood when sadness gets to them. Adopted kids can at times struggle with their emotions even more. Not only do they have all the normal stresses of childhood, but they also have the added questions and issues that come with adoption. Even the most well adjusted adopted kid can wonder about the reasons for their relinquishment, and fear that maybe they caused their birth parent to give them up somehow.

Some sadness passes in a few days. Other sadness is deep and long lasting, and can be very concerning to both child and parent. According to teendepression.org, here are some signs that... more

Every state will require you to complete a series of classes prior to approving your home study or allowing you to accept placement of a child. The number of hours and the name of the classes vary from state to state, so be sure to check with your local social services agency to get the exact requirements. You may see the acronyms PRIDE, MAPP, PACE or PATH. These are all pre-adoption or foster parenting classes.

Some of the subjects covered in the classes are:

Dealing with birth parents Your role as a... more

The US State Department has posted new information on international adoption from Nepal in the country section of their international adoption site.

Framed in a Question and Answer format, it addresses the current status of adoptions in Nepal, the US Embassy's role now for parents who are in the process, the present suspension of adoption imposed by the Government of Nepal, and what is expected to happen when adoptions resume.

Also of great interest, this article from the Nepali Times on internatinal... more

As I wrote about in my last post, there can be many challenges involved with adoption from Africa, especially when prospective adoptive parents are not adopting through a very established program (or are not going through an adoption agency). While the rewards of a successful adoption are great, the risks can be great as well, so it is important that adoptive parents go into an adoption from Africa educated and prepared.

One of the common roadblocks... more

A Dutch couple has reportedly been arrested in Sri Lanka on charges of attempting to illegally adopt a child.

They are alleged to have been prepared to pay a "large sum of money to complete the adoption, and had intended to smuggle the child from Sri Lanka to the Netherlands."

Given that Holland is a Hague country, if the story is true ... and I'm having a heck of a time finding corroboration, as the few clips around are verbatim copies of one very short release ... it would be interesting to learn how the child... more

Family Reunification Over What is Best For The Children?

A two year old toddler of a 17 year old mother was placed into foster care as an infant. The mother left the child to be cared for by a paternal grandmother. The grandmother would go out drinking leaving the baby in the care of other relatives. The baby went into another family placement briefly which also did not work out. After all of that, the infant was placed into foster care.

He was placed into... more

In Missouri, the weight of a person has become a factor in adoption. Sandra talked about this happening in Australia in her international adoption blog. It seemed unreal that it would happen in the United States.

A foster parent that is licensed, provided kinship foster placement for an infant cousin that the birth mother was unable to care for. The couple went to family court to adopt the baby they were caring for... more

As I conclude this hospital series, I think I should give some space to leaving the hospital. Leaving the hospital was emotional for me as I felt like in some ways I was also leaving my son. We had spent those three days together in the hospital and I knew that we would no longer be together once I walked through the big double doors.

Give some thought to how you will be leaving the hospital when it is time to go home. Will the baby be leaving the hospital with you or going with the adoptive parents? Do you wish to leave at the same time as the adoptive... more

If you know anything about me by now, you know I am fond of Adoption Stories on the Discovery Health Channel. If you aren’t familiar with the formula, each episode of the show follows a couple on their adoption journey. One of my favorite parts is when they show the family getting ready to go and pick up the kids – and, guess what? Tonight, that’s me!

Our good friend and brother is reprising... more

Family reunification has become a main focus for most if not all child welfare agencies. A lot of agencies have gotten tunnel-vision with this and it seems to be the only goal that a lot of people involved child welfare are even looking at for the children. Yes, children most definitely need family reunification when it is the best thing for them.

Let’s be honest and open about all of this. The overall picture of the family situation and the abuse that the children have suffered needs to be part of this decision.If the child welfare agency has dealt with... more