November 08, 2012
Adoption News Round-up
What a week it has been! Barack Obama was re-elected President, Hurricane Sandy continues its effects on the East Coast while a crazy Nor-easter blazed in, bringing the season’s first snowfall. Last night at an evening spin class my instructor said, “Everyone is tired right now. There’s so much going on, so much to think about, so many things that take our attention. This is the right place to be. Get it all out.” In some ways, that realization was just as impacting as the workout. This isn’t a PSA for spinning or gym exercise, but it is a reminder that the world is big and challenging and filled with all sorts of crazy moments and shifts in energy. Remember to keep you and your families balanced, happy and focusing just as much on the small as you are the big. Consider that your mental health note for the week!
In other news, a lot has been going on in the adoption world, as always – here’s a round-up of this week’s greatest hits:
Wondering what to get your birth family or a fellow adoptive family for the holidays? Adoptive Families saves the world again with their amazing holiday gift guide, featuring Gifts that Give Back. There’s nothing better than giving a gift that has dual benefits – especially when supporting a charity or cause that’s close to home. Definitely one to bookmark and save!
In honor of National Adoption Month, the Huffington Post is partnering with the Family Equality Council to highlight the stories of LGBT families during National Adoption Month. Go to their Gay Voices section to follow. Also – if you don’t have Todd Parr’s book adoption book “We Belong Together,” it’s definitely one to add to the list.
The Independent ran a great article about leaving children in chaotic homes and the need to find parents who will actually take care of them, rather than submit them time and time again to neglect and abuse. Foster-to-adopt is just as important as traditional adoption. Do you know anyone who did foster-to-adopt? If so, how did it work for them?
The US isn’t the only country shutting down Catholic-based adoption organizations for turning away same-sex couples. The BBC reported on an agency in Leeds, Catholic Care, which has been told that it cannot turn away gay couples, nor may it be exempt from equality laws.
Do you follow Chicago Now’s adoption blog, “Portrait of an Adoption?” In honor of National Adoption Month, the blog is doing “30 Adoption Portraits in 30 Days,” featuring the adoption stories of 30 different individuals throughout the month. Put this on your blogroll! This is some seriously inspirational stuff.
We often talk about adoption from a younger person’s perspective: being adopted when you’re young, how to explain adoption to elementary school children, how do you raise an adopted child with the knowledge they’re adopted? But what if you found out you were adopted when you were 32? That’s Randie Zimmerman’s reality, who did a documentary on her experience entitled “Roots.” Love that she had the courage to do this and share it with the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ud5lzxBY7M