A letter from listener Bonnie inspires this episode on choosing which kids to adopt. We also give advice on whether or not potential grandparents should get attached if the adoption status is unknown. Thanks Bonnie for your great letter.
We signed our adoption papers last week! Woo Hoo! We’re almost finished adopting Andrea and Linda.
In this episode we discuss what the adoption signing process is like, what papers you actually sign and what changes for us at this stage in the journey. We’re now on the Adoption Assistance Program and the kids have new names. Don’t miss Wendy’s special tribute to Punky Brewster.
We had promised a special surprise to be deliverd shortly after our adoption signing. As it turns out, our case with Social Services is still not closed. In the interest of prudence, we need to hold off until after finalization. Keep listening!
We recently read The Open Adoption Experience by Lois Ruskai Melina and Sharon Kaplan Roszia. We found this book to be an excellent handbook for navigating open and semiopen adoption. Topics include boundaries between the adoptive family and the birth family; differences between fathers’ and mothers’ concerns; and expectations of birth parents. We also share a letter we wrote to our daughters’ birth mother and birth grandfather.
How long does it take to “get over” adoption? That’s a trick question. Every stage of a child’s life brings new challenges in understanding their own identity as an adopted individual. In this episode, we explore each stage and what parents can do to help their children process their experiences. Learn how to talk about adoption with your child, and why your child may feel like an alien if you try to tell him, “You grew in my heart.”
We got some of our information from “Being Adopted: The Lifelong Search for Self
We also discuss our recent experiences with poop smearing, temper tantrums and a broken arm.
What happens when you pick up the phone to report child abuse? In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, we discuss the process of recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect. Topics covered include: what to look for, children left home alone, mandated reporters, and the difference between physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
We refer to an online information packet at Child Welfare Information Gateway. Order a free Child Abuse Prevention Manual from Olive Crest. Save the phone number for the child abuse reporting line for your state.
In this episode we decide to have a conversation with Christians about Christianity (and foster care). If you’re not a Christian, feel free to listen in on our “family” conversation. But we won’t be offended if you’re not interested.
If you are a Christian, then you definitely should listen to this one. It’s our thoughts on why Christians MUST be involved in some way in orphan care.
Some of the verses we mention:
James 1:27
Isaiah 58
Ephesians: 2:8-10
Matthew 10:8
Philippians 4:13
We discuss the seconds thoughts we have about a number issues over the last year. They include open adoption, termination of parental rights, two working parents and ending family therapy.
We recommend you check out these two sites:
Fosterclub.com – A social networking site for foster youth.
NFPAonline.org – Stats, resources, scholarships, and support for foster parents.
Listener Laura recommended we listen to this lecture on “The Racial Geography of Child Welfare” by Dorothy Roberts. We’re passing on the recommendation. It’s a good listen.
Our thoughts on a report on racial bias in the Michigan foster care system. The news report we read excerpts from can be found at the Detroit News. The full report from the Center for the Study of Social Policy can be found here.
