Adoption / Foster Care: New Articles for October 2012

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New Articles for October 2012 Oct 29th 2012, 19:06 This month I decided to focus on some basics regarding foster parenting requirements, the definition of parental rights, and the salary that foster parents receive to care for foster children - which we learn is not a salary at all - but a subsidy. I also focused on the different motivators that bring people to consider adoption and the top reasons not to adopt a child and the top reasons to adopt. Suggested Reading/New Articles and Features: What Are the Requirements to Become a Foster Parent? What Is the Salary for Providing Foster Care? Twelve Things to Do to Help Children Getting Ready to Age Out of Foster Care 5 Reasons to Adopt a Child 10 Reasons Not to Adopt a Child Adoption Motivation What Are the Differences Between Foster Care and Adoption? What Is Meant by the Term Parental Rights?

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Adoption / Foster Care: The X Factor Helps with an Adoption Search for One Talented Adoptee

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The X Factor Helps with an Adoption Search for One Talented Adoptee Oct 25th 2012, 00:29 According to various reports, adoptee David Correy, age 26,was hoping that singing on reality TV show, The X Factor would help his birth mother find him - and that's exactly what happened. When Luciene Lima watched a recent episode of the show as it aired in Brazil, she thought she recognized the baby pictures of Correy. She just had a feeling that he was hers. Lima had Correy when she was 14 and placed him for adoption. Local media stations helped her find contact information for Correy. So far all information is matching up, including the adoption timeline. They have yet to do a DNA test. Reports state that Correy is very excited about finding his birth mother. We have seen other fantastic adoption search and reunions over the years. One of my favorites is the young lady that discovered that she was royalty in Africa. Other wild adoptee reunion stories include that of rapper DMC - finding out he was adopted as an adult and then going on to find his birth family. Other celebrity adoption reunions include Oprah discovering that the had a sister and Olympians Toby Dawson and Resse Hoffa. Serious question - Do you think the fame - even reality stardom - adds to the complication of an adoption reunion?  Is there anyway around this for the family? Just for fun question - Who do you wish you were related to? Click "comments" and share. _______________________ Before You Do a DNA Test to Complete an Adoption Search How to Begin an Adoption Search Before You Go About Finding Biological Parents - for the Adoptee SOURCES: 'X Factor' Finalist David Correy Finds Birth Mother After Show Airs In Brazil 'X Factor' Finalist Finds His Birth Mother ... Thanks To The Show

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Adoption / Foster Care: Aging Out Teens Received "Starter Kits" from IKEA

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Aging Out Teens Received "Starter Kits" from IKEA Oct 23rd 2012, 21:30 110 bags filled with needed home necessities like towels, pots and pans, and bedding were given to teen that were getting ready to age out of the foster care system in Kern County California. IKEA, a home furnishing company donated the items as part of the county's "Independent City" event. Information on applying for a job was also given by an IKEA representative who spoke at a panel. Over 100 teens ages 16 to 18 attended. An all-day boot camp was also a part of the event where the youth were able to practice everyday situations like banking, getting utilities turned on, and how to dress for the office. SOURCE: IKEA Donates More Than 100 "Starter Kits" To Support Local Youth In Transition From Foster Care ___________________________ Suggested Reading What Teens Need to Know When Close to Aging Out of Foster Care Twelve Things to Do to Help Children Getting Ready to Age Out of Foster Care What Does the Term 'Aging Out' Mean?

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Adoption / Foster Care: Organize Your Foster Care Files with Printable Worksheets

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Organize Your Foster Care Files with Printable Worksheets Oct 20th 2012, 20:00 Most homes with children have a few used 3-ring binders laying around, left over from various school projects. These binders are often in pretty good shape too. By utilizing one of these binders, a few tabbed dividers, and free printable worksheets, a foster parent can get a jump on organization and documentation for pennies. Some foster care agencies may already have forms they want their foster homes to utilize, but maybe there are a few more here that can help you track information on your foster children and their needs. Maintaining accurate files as a foster parent is important and shouldn't be skipped. These files may be helpful to help foster children get needed services. They will also be helpful when a foster family is under investigation due to an allegation. Find the step-by-step instructions on creating a binder for foster care records here. Find the free printable worksheets to use in keeping foster care records and documentation here. Documentation and How it Relates to Being a Foster Parent Why is Documentation Important When Fostering? How do you organize your foster care files?

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Adoption / Foster Care: When a Child's Behavior Problem Threatens the Adoptive Family

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When a Child's Behavior Problem Threatens the Adoptive Family Oct 18th 2012, 12:07 A few years ago I received an email from a distraught adoptive father. His 8-year-old internationally adopted son was becoming violent toward his 6-year-old birth son. An example of the child's behavior problem: the oldest son held the youngest son's head under water. The father wanted to protect all of his children and help his 8-year-old overcome these behavior problems, but didn't know how to approach the situation with safety in mind. He wondered if they would be able to parent the child long-term. These are all valid concerns and I'm not a professional counselor. I am an adoptive parent who has lived through similar situations. I put together a list based on how we and other adoptive parents we know approached getting help for our children. We love our children and want to help them, however, we also have a responsibility to others in the home. This is difficult to balance and you may catch some heat for it. Meaning: be forewarned, our parenting choices may not be popular in the eyes of others, especially those who are not adoptive parents or have not handled severe child behaviors. I love it when those who have never adopted sit in judgment of our families, don't you? And I'm talking about adoption professionals and mental health professionals too.  A professionals years of working in an office with kids for a few hours a day vs. the day in day out daily grind of a child's behavior problem - there is  no comparison, in my opinion. How have you handled your child's behavior problems in your home, especially those that were becoming more threatening to your family? Have you ever faced judgment regarding the parenting of your adopted child? Click "comments" below and share. ___________________________ Suggest Reading: When a Child's Behavior Problem Threatens the Adoptive Family The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute Explores Adoptive Parent Preparation - Phase I: Meeting the Mental Health and Developmental Needs of Adopted Children What Is a Safety Plan?

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Adoption / Foster Care: Russian Adoption Update: The Agreement Will Enter Into Force Soon

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Russian Adoption Update: The Agreement Will Enter Into Force Soon Oct 16th 2012, 21:32 Another update from the U.S. Department of State regarding Russian adoptions. The agreement between the United States and Russia regarding the adoption of Russian children should go into effect on November 1, 2012. The agreement between the U.S. and Russia was created in response to several tragic endings of Russian adoptions, including the returning of a 7-year-old to Russia in April 2010. If your adoption documents have already been registered with the Regional Authority in Russia by the time the agreement goes into force, your adoption process will not be impacted by the terms of the agreement. If you are working with a non-Hague accredited adoption service provider and have not registered your documents with the Regional authority in Russia by the time the agreement goes into force, you will need to find a Hague accredited adoption service provider that has been authorized to work in Russia if you'd like to continue on your adoption journey. For more information - please see the Department of State website as they have a very detailed FAQ regarding the new agreement. The text of the agreement: Agreement between the United States of America and the Russian Federation Regarding Cooperation in Adoption of Children

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Adoption / Foster Care: Talking to Your Child About Their Adoption

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Talking to Your Child About Their Adoption Oct 13th 2012, 15:06 I believe that children should be raised with the knowledge that they were adopted.  Other parents choose to wait for the right time to bring up the topic. Either way - it may be difficult for some families to find a way to feel comfortable enough to talk about a child's adoption story. Here are several ideas on how to be more open within your family about the topic of adoption, Helping Your Child Talk About Adoption.  There is also a bit of information on when adoptees may think about birth family or their adoption. One tool that seems to help ease into the discussion is a lifebook.  Lifebooks are a great way to open up the lines of communication with your child.   Here is a review I did on a great book that will help you understand the purpose of the lifebook and tell you how to create one for your child. Lifebook: Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child Suggested Reading on Lifebooks: Best Ideas on How to Complete a Lifebook for Your Adopted or Foster Child What Not to Put into a Foster or Adopted Child's Lifebook Why You Should Make a Copy of Your Foster or Adotped Child's Lifebook It's Never too Early for Creating a Life Book

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Adoption / Foster Care: Extended Family Adopt Too

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Extended Family Adopt Too Oct 11th 2012, 11:10 It's a concept that we may not think a lot about when we first decide to adopt a child, but whenever someone joins our family, our entire extended family is impacted as well. This is true no matter if you are choosing an international adoption, a domestic adoption, or a foster care adoption.  Some family members may be excited about the idea of adopting, while others may have some negative comments. Have you found the negative responses to be more generational or cultural?  For us, it was generational. Those with concerns seemed to be concerned with how foster care and adoption would impact our daughter. If you are in the process of adopting a child, have you discussed your adoption plans with your extended family members and friends? If not, why not? If you have, did it go well? If your family has fully embraced your child, please share your story. Suggested Reading: Introducing an Adopted or Foster Child to Your Family The Wonderful Ways Our Family Has Embraced Our Adopted Child Adoption and Grandparents How One Grandma Tries to Create a Connection - I asked my mother-in-law to write a short article about her feelings as the grandmother of adopted, older children.

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Adoption / Foster Care: Fully Understanding Your Role as a Foster Parent

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Fully Understanding Your Role as a Foster Parent Oct 9th 2012, 02:23 Part of becoming a new foster parent is understanding how to advocate for your foster children and who you will be partnering within the many different agencies. Take a moment and learn more about each area of the foster care system and how foster parents work with the different people within each one. Suggested Reading/New Articles and Features: Understanding Each Role within a Foster Care Agency Understanding Each Role within the Court System Understanding Each Role in Medical and Mental Health Services Understanding Each Role in the School System Children and Family within the Foster Care System

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Adoption / Foster Care: The First Few Weeks Home With Your New Child

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The First Few Weeks Home With Your New Child Oct 8th 2012, 10:49 One of the most often asked questions I get hit with after teaching a new batch of foster and adoptive parents is, "What about those first few days in our home? How do we help the child feel comfortable?" Adding to your home and family is such a personal experience, it's natural that we want the child to feel comfortable and welcome. We as parents want to feel that we are not missing anything and that we are doing a good job. Here are a few ideas on how to do that. First Few Weeks Home with a New Foster Child First Few Weeks Home with a New Adopted Child Learn How to Be a Great Foster Parent in 5 Weeks When adding to your family, it's important to keep in mind how each new addition will impact others in your home. Of course, I'm talking about your other children. Take a moment and learn how to prepare your children for new siblings. What to Teach Your Child to Prepare Them for a Foster or Adopted Sibling How Does Providing Foster Care Affect Children in Your Home? What ideas do you have on those first few weeks home? What about internationally adopted children - are there different needs that need to be addressed during the first few weeks home? Click "comments" below and share your ideas, including what's worked and what's not worked.

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Adoption / Foster Care: Use Child's Artwork as Gifts for Birth Parents

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Use Child's Artwork as Gifts for Birth Parents Oct 5th 2012, 19:00 Image Owned by Carrie Craft Whether you are working with a birth parent in a foster care situation or keeping in touch through an open adoption arrangement, nothing beats a handmade gift. This is especially true if the gift is made by a child and utilizes their cute little footprints or hand prints. What a sweet way to keep a birth parent connected to their rapidly growing child: Cute holiday footprint and hand print gift ideas: Footprint Ghosts Footprint Reindeer with Hand Print Antlers Turkey With Hand Print Feathers Simple Hand Print Turkey Double Hand Print Turkey Other Footprint and Hand Print Craft Ideas Also Consider as inexpensive gifts: Framing the footprint or hand print art to make it stand out even more. Framing a child's drawing as a gift. Making a quick scrapbook of different photographs of the child.

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Adoption / Foster Care: Looking for a Scary Read this October?

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Looking for a Scary Read this October? Oct 4th 2012, 16:12 Cover art courtesy of Health Communications, Inc Try reading Dave Pelzer's A Child Called "It".  So, it's not truly a Halloween inspired tale, but the horrors it contains will probably fit the need for a frightening read this season. Based on a true story, Pelzer shares the abuse he endured at the hands of his mother that started when he was about five-years-old. This first book in the trilogy ends when Pelzer enters foster care at age twelve. If you're interested in how foster care treated Dave, try The Lost Boy. If you've read A Child Called "It" share your thoughts with others.

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Adoption / Foster Care: October Is National Bullying Prevention Month

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October Is National Bullying Prevention Month Oct 3rd 2012, 00:43 It all started in 2006, with a single week-long event, that has now grown into a month full of activities. The message for this year's campaign: The End of Bullying Begins with Me.  Learn more about Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER)'s bullying campaign through their website. Do your foster or adopted children deal with bullies at school? Do they tell you about the abuse? What advice do you give your kids? Do you have tips for other parents? Share here. Suggested Reading: School Bullying and Foster Children - Things to Know and Do About School Bullying Do you suspect that your child is a school bully? What tipped you off? How are you handling it? Offer suggestions to other parents here. Suggested Reading: What to Do When You Think Your Foster or Adopted Child Is a Bully

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