The internet and social media are excellent tools for research, entertainment, and connection. It is likely that your tween or teen already has a good deal of online experience under her belt, for better or worse. You probably feel like you are continually playing catch up. How do you navigate the issues of internet safety,
Speaking Out on Anti-Asian Racism: An Adoptive Parent’s Perspective
There is no way around it: adoption is a complicated life journey. It has brought our family immeasurable love and joy but has also carried corresponding challenges—none more imposing than those we face today. When we adopted our infant daughters from China and Vietnam, respectively, in 1995 and 1997, I did my best to prepare
Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Opiates, Opioids, Methadone, Suboxone, and Other Common Drugs
What do adoptive and foster parents need to know about the impacts of prenatal exposure to opioids, Suboxone, and Methadone? What are the risks to a baby born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome or Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS)? We talk with Dr. Julian Davies, a pediatrician at the University of Washington’s Center for Adoption Medicine
Behind the Desk With Amy Fogel
In our series, Behind the Desk, we’re catching up with some of the incredibly talented, dedicated, and caring individuals who help make everything our organization does possible. This month we’re featuring Amy Fogel, a supervisor within the Foster Care/Adoption program based out of our St. Paul office. Amy has long known that she wanted to
Meet a Caring Teen Who Loves Basketball and Video Games
Youssef is a considerate, kind, and helpful 14-year-old who loves video games and being active. “The first thing I noticed about Youssef was his sweet and energetic personality!” says Jazzmin, his Child Specific Recruiter. “At our initial visit, he was very kind and eager to get to know me. Youssef is very caring. He always
Supporting an Organization That Puts Kids First
Seven years ago, Tom Ewald and Joe Thom took their first step toward becoming parents by contacting Children’s Home. They were looking for a referral to an LGBTQ-inclusive adoption agency. “They told me they frequently work with same-gender couples and would be happy to help us,” said Tom. “Immediately, we felt like adopting parents –
A Longing to Know More
In 1956 Lois Nelson, a 16-year-old high school junior, walked into the Salvation Army Booth Women’s Home and Hospital, a safe haven for unwed mothers, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Before she knew she was pregnant, Lois ended her relationship with the child’s father. By the time she told him, he had married his new girlfriend.
Anti-Racism Resources for the AAPI Adoption Community & Their Loved Ones
We continue to be heartbroken by the recent news of the mass shooting in Atlanta, which resulted in the death of eight people, including six Asian women. While anti-Asian racism in the U.S. dates back centuries to the 1850s during the first wave of East Asian immigrants to the U.S., it has manifested in very
Meet Two Fun-Loving Brothers Who Love Sports and Video Games
Marcelino and Modesto are fun-loving, personable brothers who love video games, playing basketball and football with friends, and being outdoors. Marcelino is an inquisitive, creative, and active nine-year-old, while eight-year-old Modesto is known for his amazing sense of humor, upbeat attitude, and kind-heartedness. “Both Marcelino and Modesto have expressed that they are ready to be
When Your Child’s Trauma Impacts Your Marriage
Parenting a child who has experienced trauma can create a strain on even the strongest, healthiest of partnerships. No matter how well you think you have prepared yourself to bring this child home, you are finding that his challenging behaviors create frustration and exhaustion in your relationship with your spouse or partner. What can you
