Forum: General Adoption Discussion

Child abuse is a national tragedy and greatly under-reported; however, many don't realize that 1/3 to 1/2 of all alerts are mistaken or unfounded. Learn why false allegations may occur, what parents can do, and where to find help. Continue reading False Abuse Allegations

I have been guardian for my niece for 18 months now. She is 2. My sister told me last night that she wanted to give up parental rights. I talked to a lawyer today who told me it could cost up to $5000.00. That is money I do not have but would very much love to adopt my niece asap. Does anyone know...

Adoption language is a sensitive topic, and Sandra Falconer Pace of the Canadian Council of Natural Mothers explores two separate movements - both targeted toward respect: 'positive' or 'friendly' language and 'honest' language. Continue reading Friendly or Honest Language?

My husband and I have been thru many years of fertility issues, and lost our son after birth in May. We were considering trying IVF again, but the financial aspects are so trying. We are still paying for the first time when we got pregnant with our son. So my sister is single and had three children...

For anyone involved in adoption, you will likely come across people at some point who either ask rude questions, make "expert" comments regarding adoption, or are just plain unsupportive. There are positive people too, don't get me wrong! Just for this conversation, we are focusing on the rude...

Adoption and Foster Care Glossary Continue reading Adoption Dissolution

Wow, it's getting hard to even come here anymore. I have gotten to the point that I don't even want to think about adoption. I keep the door closed that enters into the room we have setup for "our child". I call DFACS and they seem cold and uncaring. They always say they don't know anything. ...

I came across this post somewhere and it really made me think especially the first part about the phrase "not ready to parent"... "I've been thinking a lot about the phrase "not ready to parent". I wonder if that's what's really going on with those who use that expression to attempt to explain...

Adoption educator Brenda Romanchik suggests ways to resolve some of the language differences that exist in adoption. Continue reading A Few Words on Words in Adoption

Our guests were Jody and Donnita, the adoptive and birth mothers of two boys in a closed, special needs adoption. They spoke with us about how they opened their adoption. Come listen in. Continue reading We Opened Our Adoption (chat transcript) p.2

This applies to everyone in the triad really... Does adoption make one feel like 2nd best? If you are an aparent, do you feel like you are the 2nd best parent? Or an adoptee, do you feel like 2nd best for not being born of your parents? Bmoms...do you get this feeling that because you are not...

Adopting HIV and drug-addicted children and AIDS orphans. Continue reading The Forgotten Children

International adoption can be full of surprises. Age, marital status, previous marriages, and even your weight can play a role in whether or not you receive approval. Check out some lesser known restrictions. Continue reading Want to Adopt? Watch Your Weight!

UK-based research on "paternal discrepancy" was the subject of a recent Reuters Health news story. What is "paternal discrepancy?" According to the Reuters article, it's "when a child is identified as being biologically fathered by someone other that the man who believes he is the father," and the...

The possibility a hoped-for adoption will not go through is a risk faced by most adopting parents. Learn about risk in adoption, what it means, and how to evaluate your own situation. Continue reading Risk in Adoption

It's seems to be everywhere. At some point in our kids lives, they will come across this project or something similar. In my son's case, it's a time line of his life thus far. (He's in 1st grade.) So, how do we as parent handle these project? How do they make adoptees feel? I would love to...

Adoption-related email lists for members of the extended community and those who love and support them. Continue reading Email Lists

Hi everyone. I was just wondering how long it took your homestudies to be approved after they were turned in. We have been waiting for two months, and they never tell us anything. We have to call and beg for information. This is getting emotionally frustrating and I don't know how to get the...

What did you do when you got 'the' call? Personally I spent all day on the phone with the social workers getting info. Finally late in the afternoon we had enough that it was a go! I went to the local gift store and bought two pictures frames (getting two girls) as well a pink and a...

When I was 15 I was coerced to put my child up for adoption. Now at 29 I have been married for over 7 years and am successful and have a small family. My daughter (adopted out) was adopted by an uncle & his wife. I have always had contact with her ( as a cousin) and my other children know that she...