April 26, 2015

Adoption News Roundup

Here’s a look at some of the stories that caught our eye around the web this week…

Are you waiting to adopt? Have you noticed the stress of waiting having unique physical effects? From disrupted sleep to weight gain, you might identify with some of the unexpected side effects this adoptive mama-to-be has been experiencing. Also, what you do about them?

Love this letter (and the idea to do it!) from a woman to her son after being matched with his birth mother — so full of emotion, she wanted to catch the weight of the moment in time.

This mother writes beautifully about the moment her children asked her why their mothers in their home countries didn’t keep them. “‘Mom,’ she said. “Why didn’t my mommy in Ethiopia keep me?” Every part of my heart began to ache. My eyes threatened to well up. Maybe it was the first time she wondered it. Maybe it was the hundredth. She’s the most expressive child I’ve ever met, so I believe it was the first that she put it together completely. “I’m so glad you asked that,” I said. “It’s a great question.” I ever so briefly ran through the things I always knew to consider when answering such a question. It’s simple in theory to remain logical. You know what you should and should not say. But when it comes from the mouth of the little girl whose life matters more than your own a million times over, it suddenly becomes so hard.

Parents.com is sharing what they call their “best baby sleep tips ever.” Anything that promises sleep tricks has our full attention.

The 20 stages of your child’s first night in their big kid bed. If this hasn’t happened to you yet, consider yourself warned. If it has, then you’ll love this.

Another great article from Parents, discussing the 12 symptoms you should never ignore in your child. There’s a lot of really helpful information here, ranging from fevers and changing moles, to specific types of rashes and headaches. Definitely a great list to keep bookmarked — these simple medical tips go a long way.