I happened upon an interesting discussion on the forums. A family waiting to adopt was told by their attorney that Medicaid was "catching on to adoptive families" and advising hospitals to "hold the baby hostage" until the adoptive family agrees to pay or "pays in full in some cases."

I must first off commend those that spoke up and told this family to "run, not walk away, from this attorney." Shady, shady. However, I'm not all that surprised at the... more

Last week I started talking with a woman who is interested in adoption. She and her husband are just getting started in the process and evaluating what type of adoption they are interested in perusing. We discussed the pros and cons of each type of adoption along with the age of child they are interested in and so on. All the things you’d expect when first starting adoption.

This couple is leaning toward foster care adoption. One of the things I strongly believe in is honesty about adoption. I firmly believe in adoption as a way to build a family but I also believe... more

I really encourage you to sit down (if you are not already) and write a letter to your child each year around his or her birthday.

I actually started this Tradition with the son I am parenting. His first year of life had so many ups and downs because of medical issues stemming from his prematurity that a few days before his first birthday I sat down and wrote a letter to him briefly recapping everything that we had been through in that first year of his life. When his second birthday rolled around I did the same and it just became a tradition. I’ve put them up for... more

In the past few days former blogger, Nancy, and I have had very similar experiences. Our children have tried to define the parameters of our relationship that did not include reciprocity.

I have spent nine years in a relationship with my son and gotten very little back in the way of connection or positive emotions. The dream relationship of one with an emotional connection is one I gave up a long time ago.

Today I received a letter from my son basically telling me what I was doing wrong as his mother and what exactly I was allowed to do. One of the things... more

This post is not political. Just a heads up.

I've been reading some commentary on what Bristol Palin's pregnancy means for and to other young mothers and mothers-to-be. Everyone is quick to point out that she comes from a family that is financially stable, is blessed with a family who is offering their support and will be marrying the father of her baby. And then many an article that I have read is quick to say, "But that's not what... more

I don’t remember how I wound up on this website, but a few weeks ago I stumbled across a website for Every Child Matters. Every Child Matters is a bi-partisan group trying to get political reform for kids. Since we are in an election year, the “theme” is “I’m Voting for Kids.” The website is extensive in the information that it offers and can make you think twice about what your state is doing for children.

I ordered a promotional packet that had great information in it and things that I will certainly... more

The two passages for our sermon yesterday were both related to complaining.

In Exodus 16:2-15 we heard about the grumbling Israelites who had escaped the Egyptians when God helped Moses to part the Red Sea.

In Matthew 20:1-16 we heard about the vineyard workers who complained because some workers worked all day and others worked a shorter day but all were paid the same wage.

How many times when it comes to our adoption process, or our kids, do we act like the Israelites or the vineyard workers? Why is my home study taking so long? Why hasn’t... more

Can I tell you something? I love reading about adoption (issues and all) in other countries and cultures. As Americans, myself included, we are often so ethnocentric that we think we're the only ones dealing with certain things. That's hardly ever the case. In this set of articles hailing from Ireland, I was really intrigued to read about the varied experiences of different members of the triad.

It started out with a piece by a journalist describing how her friend, a... more

While reading some posts in the Considering Your Options forum, I came across an interesting quote by an adoptive mother. I'll just throw it out here right off the bat:

I think if someone is on the road to adoption, through foster or privately, they have patience. I think that would be a given.

I... more

I wish stories like this one didn't exist. But with unethical agencies and attorneys still free to do what they want without fear of consequence, fathers are going to continue to lose their children.

In short, Kareem Williams' daughter was placed for adoption without his consent. He has been fighting for her for four years. She has been living with the "adoptive family" that was chosen for her by the birth mother's family.

Looking at the few details... more