Adoption / Foster Care: New Articles for April 2013

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New Articles for April 2013 Apr 30th 2013, 23:12 This month I focused on adoption search angels and adoption searches. Suggested Reading/New Articles and Features: What Is the Spokeo Search Angel Award? New Search Angel for North Carolina, Joanna Freitag New Search Angel for Texas, Mary Wilson Guest Contributor: Andrea Harmon

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Adoption / Foster Care: The Adoptive Family and Adoption Reunions

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The Adoptive Family and Adoption Reunions Apr 30th 2013, 23:07 It's not easy being the adoptive parents during an adoption reunion. I think it's especially true when it's a foster care adoption and you as the foster adoptive parent know about the abuse and neglect that occurred in the birth home. I'm thinking about adoption reunions again as I've recently learned that one of my sons wants to see his birth grandfather who is dying. I understand this need to see his grandpa before he dies, but I also feel a bit nervous as I know the drama and games other members of his birth family like to play. So, I'll ask the question again - where is our [adoptive parents] place in an adoption reunion? Should adoptive parents have any part in an adoption reunion? Some say that the adoptive family's expectations don't matter when it comes to birth parent reunions. I believe that it all rests on the adoptee and what he/she wishes to happen. Now that my sons are grown men - I don't feel that I have a place in their reunions. They share with me what's going on in their birth family's lives, but that's about it, and I'm okay with that. What do you think? Click "comments" below and share your thoughts on this blog.

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Adoption / Foster Care: Is it Time to Change Your Foster Care Agency or Adoption Agency?

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Is it Time to Change Your Foster Care Agency or Adoption Agency? Apr 29th 2013, 14:52 I noticed on a past blog comment a reader asked the following: "My husband and I have been foster parents for one and half year. We are waiting for a fost to adopt, but the four kids we fostered have all returned to birth parents. We are with a foster family agency, but I wonder how long are we going to have to wait. We are not picky as we do want an older child boy or girl age 8-11 years old. I have heard there is a big need for adoptive parents for an older child. This does not seem to be the case with us. I wonder if we should change our agency since our agency is only foster and don't specialize with adoptions. Does that make a difference. Please we need some suggestions from people." I felt the same way when we first became foster parents, heard there was a huge need, but then stood empty for a year. If hadn't been working in a children's home and saw the need first hand, we would have probably quit. Yes. There is a need, so don't quit yet. Fostering to adopt is often a long wait. It's also a difficult journey for those who take on the challenge as it requires that the foster parent be pro-family reunification, but then also choose to adopt the child if the family does not complete the reunification plan. Sounds like this particular foster family has done an awesome job maintaining boundaries and helping a family reunite. I think it does make a difference if you're not with an foster agency that specializes in adoptions. What we have done in the past is work with our foster care agency for foster placements, but then we also submitted our adoption home study with another agency that specializes in adoptions and foster care. It's a difficult question to answer when each State handles adoptions and foster care differently, but it may be worth asking your social worker for an opinion on the matter. It doesn't hurt for more than one agency to be looking for a child that fits in with your family. What advice would you offer this reader? Should she switch foster care agencies? Ask more questions? Or give it more time? Suggested Reading: Is it Time to Change Your Foster Care Agency or Adoption Agency? Building an Effective Partnership Between a Case Worker and a Foster Parent Avoiding Communication Problems Between Foster Parents and Social Workers

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Adoption / Foster Care: 10 Things that Will Help You Become a Foster Parent in the Future

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10 Things that Will Help You Become a Foster Parent in the Future Apr 26th 2013, 08:00 Preparing to be a foster parent means more than having the right gear. Photo © Carrie Craft, licensed to About.com, Inc. May is almost here, which means National Foster Care Awareness Month is almost here. The purpose of the month long celebration is to the public to be aware of the need for more foster parents. It is not uncommon for families, during the required training for foster parents, to decide that it's not the right time to foster, or adopt. Other people just want to know how they can better prepare to be foster parents at a later date. No matter the motivation for joining a foster parent training class, most prospective foster parents can't help but think of all the stuff they will need as foster parents - stuff like beds, bedding, strollers, toys, and clothes. The list goes on. But, there is so much more involved to being prepared to foster than just the gear. If you think foster parenting sounds like something you'd like to do, but want to know how to get ready for such a journey, then check out this article that was prompted by an email from a 19-year-old who is definitely planning for her future. A future that she hoped included foster children. Suggested Reading: 10 Things You Can Do Now to Be Ready to Do Foster Care Later How Will Fostering a Child Impact My Daily Life? To Add a Child or Not to Add a Child - Timing May be the Answer All About Foster Care Awareness Month

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Adoption / Foster Care: Share Your Heartfelt or Funny Moments of Being a Foster or an Adoptive Mother

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Share Your Heartfelt or Funny Moments of Being a Foster or an Adoptive Mother Apr 22nd 2013, 08:00 I can't believe how quickly Mother's Day will be here.  I thought we'd start with one of my favorite pieces where we ask readers to finish the following sentence So, how would you finish the following sentence? Perhaps you never know how many kids you will have from day to day or your family picture looks like a meeting of the United Nations. Whatever your answer, take a minute to share what being a foster or adoptive mother means to you. I look forward to reading fresh answers! Some are very amusing. Here are a few responses: "....you hear how [are] your boys (or girls)? and you say "which ones"? "...you hear how many children do you have? and you look at them with a bland stare and just say "lots"!" "...you go to McDonald's and you need more than one table and none of your kids look like each other and people just can't figure out the whole thing." ____________________________ What Is a Foster or Adoptive Mother? 14 Ways for a Birth Mother or Birth Father to Honor and Remember a Placed Child 5 Gift Ideas for Birth Parents

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Adoption / Foster Care: April Is also National Poetry Month

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April Is also National Poetry Month Apr 8th 2013, 08:00 I really enjoy poetry. Not just the reading of poems, but the writing of poetry as well. We have many talented readers who also enjoy writing adoption poems and many have shared adoption poems of their own. Some poems featured on the site have been written by adoptive parents, adoptees, or by birth family. Have you written any poetry that you would like to share with our readers? Perhaps during the search for birth family? While parenting a foster child? While deciding whether to place or parent a child for adoption? If you have an adoption poem that you would like to share for possible publication, please submit it to About Adoption & Foster Care for review. Suggested Reading: Adoption Poems by Readers Birth Mother Poems Adoptive Parent Poems Foster Care Adoption Poems The Writing of Adoption Poems - Healing Words of Adoption Poetry

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Adoption / Foster Care: April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

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April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month Apr 6th 2013, 08:00 This month is a time to raise awareness of abuse and neglect issues and to encourage communities to support children and families who are suffering. Foster Care is one way to offer that support and to help families get back on their feet and reunified, learning new coping techniques and parenting skills. There are several factors that contribute to child abuse. Poverty is one of the main factors of abuse and neglect, which may be due to the stress of the living situation or higher reporting due to social services focusing more on the poor. Once we can pinpoint the risk factors we know how to avoid abuse by learning strategies to cope.  It's also important to learn the signs of child abuse and know what to do if you suspect that a child you know is being abused or neglected. _____________________________ What Is Child Abuse? Child Abuse Risk Factors Avoiding Child Abuse in Times of Stress What to Do If You Suspect a Child Is Being Abused How to Handle Yourself When a Child Discloses Abuse and Neglect What Is a Mandatory Reporter? Learn How to Be a Great Foster Parent in 5 Weeks

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