By Kathy Bargar, LCSW, Adoption Connection Caseworker The long process of trying to have a child is over. The doctors, infertility treatments, paperwork, workshops, caseworker visits, dear birth mother letters, and countless other steps have finally culminated in the adoption of a lovely new baby. The first few days were euphoric. There was excitement and … Continued
By Kathy Bargar, LCSW, Adoption Connection Caseworker Continued from Coping with Post–Adoption Depression Finding Support for Difficult Feelings While the adoption process is almost complete, the end to the roller coaster ride may appear remote. Being a new parent is stressful in itself. I tell most of my adoptive parents that it takes anywhere from … Continued
Last year, Adoption Connection caseworker and adoptive parent Angela True, MFT, participated in the Open Adoption Interview Project, where bloggers interview other bloggers about their experiences surrounding adoption. Blogger from http://stillseriouslyandlovinit.wordpress.com asked some great questions about transracial adoption: Angela, as an adoption caseworker, what kind of education programs are available or mandatory when adopting transracially? … Continued
Adoption: A Lifelong Journey Saturday, March 9, 2013 from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm By Randie Bencanann, LCSW While there are many birth and adoptive families in Northern California, there are definitely not enough opportunities for education. That’s why we are so pleased to offer an adoption conference to the community of adoptive families, adoptees, … Continued
Five-year-old Joachim and 2-year-old Jaspar are cherished young men. When the December holidays and birthdays roll around, the brothers get to celebrate with their parents … and their birth families. Adopted at birth, Joachim and Jaspar are part of a growing trend in open adoptions: merged families where the birth parents and their extended families … Continued
By Leah Sheldon Who will love my baby as much as I do? Many pregnant women considering adoption find themselves asking this question. Finding an adoptive family can be a life-changing experience. It can also bring doubts and insecurities to the surface, even if you are sure that adoption is the best choice for you. … Continued
Many adoptive families looking to adopt a baby through open adoption will at some point find themselves sitting down to fill out detailed questionnaires about what kind of baby they envision adopting. Sue and Jeff* decided to consider a birthmother who had used drugs during her pregnancy. “We wanted to keep the door open to … Continued
Related Posts: Adopting a Drug-Exposed Baby: Making the Decision Research, research, research. Talk to professionals – pediatricians, neonatologists or genetic counselors. They can help you feel comfortable with your decision. Enlist a professional who is familiar with substance abuse to help you determine the birth mother’s actual experience with drugs – which drugs she used, … Continued
By Rachel Herndon, ACSW, Birthparent Services Coordinator I recently had the pleasure of working with a 19-year-old birthmother, Allis, who herself was adopted at birth by her parents, Paul and Christina. Her adoptive parents were very supportive of her decision to place her unborn son in an open adoption and heard about a wonderful family … Continued
Her eyes bulge and take up most of the space on her round face. Her thinning, blond hair stands up in places like pieces of fine straw. My birth mother looks over 60, but she is not a day over 45. I guess alcohol, cigarettes, and the Arizona sun will do that to you. People … Continued