Adopting a Newborn Baby

Families come in all colors and shapes and sizes. Back in the 1970’s, then-president Jimmy Carter’s Commission on the Family declared there is not just one definition for the many types of families that exist in the world, and that is certainly more true than ever today. Forty-odd years have passed since Carter’s commission, and few people question a family made up of different colors. However, because a small part of society still has the assumption that “like adopt like”, transracial adoption can cause some uncomfortable situations. Having some strategies for handling the questions that come just makes life simpler for all concerned. Though these situations can be frustrating, look at them as teachable moments which can help ease stereotypes and allow you to be an advocate for families simply as units of love.
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Many parents dread the words, “I want to find my birth parents.” However, there is nothing wrong with wanting to know about your biological roots. We all want to know who we are, but for adopted children, unless they find birth parents, gaps often remain. This does not mean parents have done anything wrong, but adoptees must also realize that this concept may be difficult for adoptive parents. The best way for parents and adoptees alike to deal with this is through open and honest communication.
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History and background is sometimes a sore subject with adopted children, as they may feel out of place or unsure of how their current life fits in with where they came from as they grow old enough to begin questioning these things. A life story book gives you a tool for recordkeeping as well as a place to tell the stories that will hopefully answer adoptee questions as they arise. In many cases, a life story book transforms into a beautiful collaborative work that the adoptee can also contribute to.
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The road to adoption is often a long and confusing one, leading adoptive families looking for resources to help them. One resource that is available in some states is adoption facilitators. Below, we cover what an adoption facilitator is and the benefits and drawbacks of using one.
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People of all backgrounds and walks of life choose to expand their family by adopting, and celebrities are no exception. Read below to learn more about some of the celebrities who decided to adopt, and what they have to say about their adoption journey.
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Every adoption has one thing in common, no matter if it’s open or closed, domestic or international: they do involve extensive financial processes. Understanding how adoption finance works and some of the resources available to you can help you navigate these waters. Check out the list below for five helpful books about adoption finance. Continue reading →

Communicating with birthparents can be a sensitive subject for some, but in open adoptions it is common and often beneficial for an adoptee to get to know their birth family. Check out some of the blogs and resources below to help you find a method of communication that you and your birthparents can be comfortable with.
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Adding a child to your family is not always easy; for many people, it is a struggle that requires some extra work and soul-searching decisions. Thankfully, modern science means you have options. Depending on the medical reasons behind your infertility, fertility treatments may be an option, allowing you to potentially become pregnant with medical intervention. Alternatively, adoption gives you the opportunity to offer a home and family to a child in need. Below, we discuss both options to help you make the best decision for you and your family. Continue reading →

For any adoption, the potential adoptive parents must go through a process called the home study. The home study involves a number of steps to ensure that the parents are prepared to accept a child into their household safely and securely. For many people involved in this process, it can feel very invasive to have someone review their qualifications for placement of a child in their home. The home study is a necessary step in the adoption journey for the state and federal government to understand that whoever is involved can fulfill their parental rights legally. As personal as it may seem, everyone hoping to adopt will have to go through this process without exception. We’ve listed some of the key milestones for the process to prepare for.   Continue reading →