When Wendy and Ben started their adoption process, they could not imagine what their futures held. “I could not believe what becoming a mom meant. I could not love our kids any more had they grown within me. I would give my life for them,” explains Wendy. This emotional side of adoption and parenting is
Reach With Them: One Foster Mom’s Story of Open Adoption
This content was originally published by Creating a Family, the national infertility education and support nonprofit. November is National Adoption Month. To kick off this year’s campaign of awareness, we are delighted to share one foster mom’s personal perspective on open adoption with her children’s birth family. Through learning how to co-parent as a foster
Bap & Chicken | A Korean Restaurant with an Adoptee Twist
John Gleason, a Korean adoptee through Children’s Home, discovered his roots through food. “I grew up in the Twin Cities. I went to a mostly all-American elementary school, high school and college. So I grew up without a lot of connection to Korea. The only Asian I knew for a long time was my sister,”
Open Adoption With Addicted Birth Parents
This content was originally published by Creating a Family, the national infertility education and support nonprofit. There are no clear rules that always apply to navigate relationships with people who are actively addicted. It depends on so many factors. But Kate Cleary, Executive Director of Consortium for Children, who has negotiated many post-adoption openness agreements and
Preparing Your Finances for Adoption
Money is never the primary reason people decide to adopt, nor should it be. Actually, for many it isn’t even in the equation until you sign on the dotted line with an agency or professional. Hopefully, before you make that commitment, your adoption professional has given some idea of the costs associated with your adoption.
Five Reasons to Consider an Adoption Medicine Clinic Assessment for Your Adopted or Fostered Child
The Adoption Medicine Clinic at the University of Minnesota offers a comprehensive child wellness assessment for children who have experienced early adversity. With a team consisting of a pediatrician or nurse practitioner, occupational therapist, and child psychologist, the assessment includes a medical, developmental, and mental health screening. 1. Children in foster care and those adopted
Helping New Foster Kids Transition Into Your Family
This content was originally published by Creating a Family, the national infertility education and support nonprofit. Foster children who come to your home have likely endured a great deal of loss and hurt before coming through your front door. Helping new foster kids transition into your family can be challenging for everyone, as you try
Gaining Family and Insight through Post Adoption Reunion
Christina, adopted as an infant, spent her life wondering if her birth mother thought about her. She enjoyed a happy childhood with her adoptive parents, who adopted her in the late 60’s. Yet, throughout her life, she struggled with unanswered questions about her biological parents. Christina found answers to her questions when she began her
Coping with Fear of the Unknown When Adopting
This content was originally published by Creating a Family, the national infertility education and support nonprofit. When most of us think about becoming a parent, we dream of a healthy child. We may not expect perfection, but sure hope that our child does not have significant special needs. So how do you cope with the
Join us for Fidgety Fairy Tales, The Mental Health Musicals
Come join us Monday, April 8 for Fidgety Fairy Tales This year Minnesota Association for for Children’s Mental Health joins us again in their 11th musical where familiar fairy tales are re-imagined to raise awareness about children’s mental health. With great music and gentle humor, this hour-long musical is fun for the whole family. This
