I came across an "article" regarding open adoption on an adoption attorney's website. I'm considering writing this attorney a letter. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me explain why I'm riled up.

First and foremost, the article completely neglects to address the reason openness exists: to benefit the child. It also doesn't address grief or loss experience by birth parents or adoptees. Instead, the article ends with this gem:

It is much easier for adoptive parents... more

Take a moment to read this article. Done? No? You need me to paraphrase for you? Okay. Basically, an expectant mother was working at a restaurant. One of her tables leaves and, along with their tip, they leave a card that reads, and I quote:

We wish to adopt a baby. We are a caring, happily married, financially secure and loving couple. We want to share our joy and love with a child.

There are many things wrong with this... more

A comment on a previous entry said that a family should not consider fostering children until their biological children are raised. The commenter said that the welfare of the biological children is at stake by bringing foster children into the home. Most of the foster parents that I know have biological children at home as well. If no one with biological children at home would foster children, we would probably have to regress to keeping children in orphanages. Let’s face it; few older people or childless people are willing to open their homes to abused or neglected children.... more

A report released today by the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute suggests that minority children are not best served by what they term a “color-blind approach.”

Citing statistics that show over 50% of children waiting to be adopted are children of color, the Institute recommends the Multi-ethnic Placement Act be amended to include race as a factor to be considered when placing children for adoption.

This is an adoption “hot-button” issue, emotionally charged, and with serious ramifications.... more

Back in Feburary I blogged about Maine’s plans to cut foster care and adoption stipends. The cuts go into effect on July 1, 2008.

These cuts will hit families much harder right now when everyone is struggling to make ends meet. Now parents of kids with special needs will likely have expenses increasing, while their incoming is decreasing. “Normal” parents are trying to make it with their income remaining stable. How are special needs parents going to make it with... more

I've written twice about the hosting-slash-fostering situation on the Monday evening drama One Tree Hill. Well, last week was the season finale and, in true television fashion, things had to be wrapped up before they left us hanging in other regards over the summer months. Of course, one of those things that was wrapped up in a neat little package and tied with an unrealistic bow... more

In a discussion about post-placement pregnancies, a member of the adoption forums said:

I don't feel like a mom, and she's said she doesn't feel like a grandma yet.

She went on to discuss how her current, post-placement pregnancy feels like a "first pregnancy" in many ways. I think the honesty of these words lend a lot to the discussion of post-placement pregnancies. I wish more... more

Do you need to know the long term permanency plan for a foster child in order to accept placement into your home? If you do, it will limit the number of placements you receive as a foster parent. The long term plan is not typically known for at least a month when children first come into foster care. Even then, the plan can change. The caseworker never knows when a suitable relative might come forward asking for the children. While the caseworker might have doubts about certain parents complying with the case plan to have their children returned, sometimes parents surprise... more

With the fun of summer comes millions of annoying insects including mosquitoes. Mosquitoes not only bite and leave itching welts but they sometimes transmit serious diseases to their victims. Some diseases transmitted to people by mosquitoes are West Nile virus, malaria, and dengue fever. Your pets can get life-threatening heartworms from these nasty pests, as well. Here in the United States our risk of contracting diseases from mosquito bites are low. We can use insect repellents to help discourage their nasty bites and protect our pets with... more

Today my family went to a family reunion with my husband’s family. The kids had a great time playing with their cousins, some they knew from the last one last August, and some who were new to them. And, being the youngest of this particular generation of cousins, they reaped a bounty – they got cool cast-off toys that the older ones had outgrown.

It was a time to reminisce about family members no longer with us, and the hope that the new generation brings. It had been a really long time since some of the family had seen each other, and commitments were made... more