Author

I've spent every night this week going through my list of recommended agencies. I'm in the P's now. I have a list of 13 questions that I expect the web sites to answer. OK, maybe more like, I would hope the web sites would answer. It's incredibly frustrating to find that most agencies don't actually share most of the information I'm looking for. All agencies do tend to explain what types of adoption they do - domestic, international, foster. They also tend to at least mention and briefly explain their programs. Many have African American, Waiting Child, or Older Child programs. Good to  know. However, after that basic information has been imparted, it's time to go info hunting. You would think that agencies would want… [more]

Welcome to the twelfth post in our series Adopting In the 50 States. Today, we're in Indiana with all the Hoosiers. Remember, I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV. Consult an attorney or other adoption professional with specific questions. If you have adopted in Indiana and would like to share your experience with others, please leave a comment or email me at RobynC@adoptionblogs.com. Who May Adopt In Indiana? Any adult resident of the state of Indiana may adopt in Indiana. Hard-to-place children may be adopted by non-residents. Married people must adopt jointly, unless the spouse is the biological or adoptive parent of the child in question. When May Consent Be Signed? The birth father may sign anytime. The birth mother may… [more]

"Black Children Are an Endangered Species" So claim more than 60 billboards in Atlanta, GA. Black women apparently have more abortions than women of other races. From 1997-2006, the CDC reports that approximately 36.4% of abortions were performed on Black women. However, the fertility rate for Black women is still higher than the fertility rate for White women, 69 live births per 1,000 Black women versus 63 live births per 1,000 White women in 2005. The ads are about gathering support for a law that would ban soliciting abortions for race or gender selection. The group Georgia Right to Life argues that abortion practitioners solicit Black women for abortions. The law would prohibit anyone from performing an abortion based on the… [more]

Welcome to the eleventh post in our series Adopting In the 50 States. Today, we're in Illinois, where the official snack food is popcorn. Remember, I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV. Consult an attorney or other adoption professional with specific questions. If you have adopted in Illinois and would like to share your experience with others, please leave a comment or email me at RobynC@adoptionblogs.com. Who May Adopt In Illinois? In Illinois, any "reputable adult" who has "no legal disability" and is a resident of the state may adopt. Married couples must adopt jointly. When May Consent Be Signed? The birth father may sign the consent at any time. The birth mother may sign the consent 72 hours after the… [more]

I just spent the last 2-1/2 hours starting with the A's. No, not the baseball team. Let me explain... As soon as we got home with Jack, I started noting agencies that other people recommended. We used a facilitator for Jack's adoption. We were not pleased with the service we received, and we were outraged at how our son's birth mother was treated. Next time, we would be prepared. I belong to two different African American/Transracial Adoption support groups. Any time someone recommended his or her agency, I filed the message away. I created a list.* We contacted the home study agency we used last time (but that's another post). Now, we have to choose an agency (or facilitator, there is one that made… [more]

I love Adoptive Families magazine! I read every issue cover to cover. I even read the ads. Last year, they announced they would be publishing You Can Adopt: An Adoptive Families Guide, by Susan Caughman and Isolde Motley. I immediately wanted to buy the book, and I did so as soon as it became available. Because of Christmas, I didn't actually start reading the book until January. And because of work and being a mom (OK, fine, and reading Twilight fan-fic. I admit it.), I didn't finish it until the end of February. Long story short: Buy the book. It's an easy, interesting, and informative read. I like the stories from Adoptive Families readers, which are located on practically every page… [more]

Welcome to our tenth post in the series Adopting In the 50 States. Today, we're in Idaho, and no, I'm not going to mention potatoes. Instead, did you know that the governor's last name is "Otter"? Now you know! Remember, I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV. Consult an attorney or other adoption professional with specific questions. If you have adopted in Idaho and would like to share your experience with others, please leave a comment or email me at RobynC@adoptionblogs.com. Who May Adopt In Idaho? Any adult resident may adopt in Idaho. Unless the adoptive parent is the spouse of the biological parent, then the adoptive parent must be at least 15 years older than the child… [more]

Welcome to the ninth post in our series, Adopting In the 50 States. Today, we're in Georgia - which is a part of the United States (OK birthers?). Remember, I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV. Consult an attorney or other adoption professional with specific questions. If you have adopted in Hawaii and would like to share your experience with others, please leave a comment or email me at RobynC@adoptionblogs.com. Who May Adopt In Hawaii? Any legal adult may adopt in Hawaii. Married couples may adopt jointly. When May Consent Be Signed? The petition for relinquishment may be signed at any time after the expectant mother's sixth  month of pregnancy. However, the consent cannot be executed until… [more]

I know - I'm a day late. Did you ever forget it was Thursday? I did. Oops! So, without further ado, welcome to our eighth post in the series Adopting in the 50 States. Today, we’re in Georgia, the home base of my favorite Food Network star, Alton Brown. Remember, I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV. Consult an attorney or other adoption professional with specific questions. If you have adopted in Georgia and would like to share your experience with others, please leave a comment or email me at RobynC@adoptionblogs.com. Who May Adopt In Georgia? Any adult person who meets all of the following criteria may adopt:

• at least 25 years old or married and living with his

Grown In My Heart's Adoption Carnival VI asks: How do you handle racism? GIMH knows that some of you may not have encountered this in adoption but what WOULD you do if you were to encounter it? The question references two blog posts about families reacting to racist comments by young children. I highly recommend reading them.

• Little Bigots at Basketball
• The Chinese Food Email