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Narrations - New Adoption Newsletter

Young voices, grown-up messages

A new, quarterly, full-color adoption newsletter went to press in April 2003, but it's a newsletter with a difference. Narrations is made up completely of contributions from youngsters age 8 to 13 and is "for and by kids who are touched by adoption."

What do kids really think about adoption?

Narrations is the brainchild of Kathy Sanders, a copywriter, freelance writer, and adoptive parent of two from Cambodia. Her mission is to encourage children to express their feelings about their adoption experiences in writing and art, and she believes the newsletter will not only give kids an outlet to express themselves and read what other kids think, but will also give parents and professionals the opportunity to see adoption issues from the child's point of view.

The only requirement for contributors other than age is that the kids have a connection to adoption. I asked Kathy specifically about birth family siblings and relatives (in addition to adoptees, their family and friends) and she said, "yes, I am hoping to get submissions from all kinds of family situations and show a mix of different perspectives and experiences."

The first issue of Narrations is a wonderful selection of stories, artwork, poetry, photos, and even a recipe. Stories are from kids who

• visited the homeland of an adopted sibling,
• dealt with the death of a birth parent,
• prepared for a trip to China to meet a new sister,
• excitedly welcomed a new baby cousin.

I talked with Kathy to learn more about Narrations.

Question: How did you develop the idea for the newsletter?
Kathy: Throughout my childhood, I enjoyed expressing myself through writing and art and had my work published and acknowledged in the local newspaper that ran a kids column. I thought that adoptees and their young families and friends might have specific issues surrounding adoption that they would like to write about. Narrations can be an outlet for these feelings and in turn, help other children realize that there are others that are going through the same things and they are not alone.

Question: How do you feel Narrations will help in the family environment?
Kathy: Some parents have told me that they read the newsletter together with their child and that it sparked important and beneficial conversation.

Question: How much "editorial" direction do you give?
Kathy: What I hope to do is establish a newsletter where kids can feel free to express their thoughts and feelings surrounding adoption issues in a non-judgmental environment. No one is getting graded here! The topics are of their own choosing, although I do offer suggestions if a child wants to write something and doesn't know where to start. Some suggestions I give are:

• What do you do when people ask you nosey questions?
• How did you handle a school family tree project?
• Have you been to a culture camp?
• Have you had a reunion?
• Have you encountered prejudice?
• Do you know a great recipe from your birth country?
• Have you read a cool book on adoption?

Question: How can kids contribute?
Kathy: They (or their parents) can just fill in the form on the Narrations Web site.

The premier issue of Narrations is available online in .pdf format (requires an Adobe Acrobat Reader, free download), and future issues will be available in print by subscription. Subscription is $10 for four quarterly issues.

Visit the Narrations Web site to contribute, subscribe, and/or sponsor.

 ~ Nancy Ashe

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