This content was originally published by Creating a Family, the national infertility education and support nonprofit. A typical dynamic with siblings in neglectful and dysfunctional homes is for one child, often the oldest, to take on the roles of the parent in providing for the physical and emotional needs of the younger siblings. Very often
Meet a 9-Year-Old Athlete Waiting for a Supportive Family
This young boy with a love of sports will turn 10 next month! A fan of América de Cali, every day you can find JV on the soccer field improving his skills. He can also be found in the pool twice a week for swim lessons—an activity he enjoys. But he won’t stop there, he
Life Skills
Hope will be 18 in a few weeks and in 12 short weeks, she will be off to college. It’s all very exciting, and in some ways, I am a little surprised that she’s not pulling away from me a little. But, no. She’s not pulling away at all. In fact, my lovely daughter is
Missing Mothers: Journey to a Memoir
Five years ago, I took a writing class at The Loft that focused on writing about race. I had much to ponder about this subject because I have two internationally adopted children: a son adopted from South Korea at 4 months of age and a daughter adopted from Guatemala when she was 6 months old.
Meet Sean | An outgoing and adventurous kid waiting for a family
Sean is a 13 year old with a sense of adventure! He was all smiles on a springtime trip to Maritime Park with his Child-Specific Recruiter, Stephanie. “He got excited to see all of the historical ships and to witness how things have progressed over time. He especially enjoyed steering at the helm of the
Meet Araya | An 11 year old who loves artistic activities
Araya is an 11 year old who deeply values relationships and being comfortable with people. After about 4 months of working with her Child-Specific Recruiter, Brittany, she is beginning to engage with her. But Brittany notes, “Once she trusts you, she is snuggly. She likes to be held, and finds comfort in her weighted blanket
Photo Album: Recognizing Grief and Loss in Adoption
I remember the day when I first met my son at the adoption agency in Seoul, South Korea. I woke up that morning feeling a range of emotions from complete anticipation, to sheer happiness, to utter anxiety. I waited nearly a year to meet my son and now I was just hours away. As I
Huntting Family Builds a Legacy of Supporting Children and Families
Laura Huntting dedicated her time and care to everything she did. Whether it was hang drying the laundry outdoors because it smells so much better, or masterfully writing letters to friends to stay in touch, she was happy to take extra steps to create the best possible experience for those around her. She extended this
Find Answers and Commonalities in Reunion
Katherine Norrie’s favorite story is about the day her parents, Forrest and Mary, adopted her. For years, the couple prayed for the chance to be parents. When they received a call in 1977 with news that a baby girl needed a permanent family, they drove to Minneapolis to pick her up. Friends heard the news
Vaccinations and Internationally Adopted Children
Originally published February 9, 2016, updated May 2, 2019. With the resurgence of measles around the U.S. and worldwide and the release of even more publications that have debunked any link between vaccinations and autism, parents are discussing vaccinations more than ever with friends, family and their medical providers. So what is a parent to
