It has recently come to my attention that standards for completing the child abuse and neglect screenings for the homestudy have been “upgraded”. Now child abuse and neglect screenings will have to be completed from each state in which you have resided since you were 17 years old. There is no network in place for this and each state will have to be contacted. While I don’t anticipate this adding to the time it takes to complete the homestudy, it is possible that a state may take time to respond to the request for the screening.
Filed under: Homestudy by Tamara
For those of you whose birthmother may have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, this book explains what one woman, living with Bipolar Disorder, did to help her baby develop. I know, from experience, that the Bipolar diagnosis can be a bit scary when begin matched with a birthmother. There is a genetic predisposition with Bipolar Disorder IF the birthmother is truly Bipolar. This diagnosis, like ADHD in children, seems to be often overused and over diagnosed.
This book also provides information about the medications used to treat Bipolar Disorder and their impact on the developing fetus.
Filed under: Articles, Books and Resources by Tamara
https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/images/stories/NCFA_Ado ption_Tax_Credit_Advocacy_Kit.pdf
The President’s budget for 2013 would make the adoption tax credit, as it is, permanent. But Congress is not yet on board. If the current tax credit is allowed to ‘expire’ then only Special Needs adoptions will be eligible for a tax credit, and the only $6000.
Filed under: General by Tamara
Yes, I wrote a book! available thru Amazon
Filed under: Articles, Books and Resources by Tamara
I am sorry it has been so long since I have posted but life happens and it sometimes gets in the way of posting to the blog 
All has been addressed at this point, so I hope to get back to a regular posting schedule. The other news…I have completed and self-published a book about adoption homestudies that I hope can alleviate some of the fear people have. It will be available on amazon.com shortly and I will post a link when it is available.
Filed under: General by Tamara
This year National Adoption Day is Nov 19! The same day my bouncing baby boy entered this world 4 years ago. What a great way to celebrate his birthday and adoption day. The entire month of November is Adoption Month so make plans to celebrate adoption in some way. Read a book, celebrate a birthday or gotcha day, attend a finalization if you are invited, donate your time to an adoption related cause…however it suits you just celebrate adoption!!
From nationaladoptionday.org: National Adoption Day is a national day of celebration of adoptive families and an opportunity for courts to open their doors and finalize the adoptions of children from foster care. Since 2000, more than 35,000 children have had their adoptions finalized on National Adoption Day.
Filed under: General by Tamara
Adoption Haven is offering a summer special- $100 off any adoption homestudy thru September 30, 2011
As always, Adoption Haven offers free one hour consultation appointments to those condering adoption and wanting to learn more.
Filed under: General by Tamara
From The Whole Life Adoption Book pg 238
“The ‘grafted tree’ metaphor of adoption is that the adopted child is like the branch of one tree that is removed and graftd to a different tree and becomes one with the new tree. The new tree nurtures the branch and allows it to grow and become fruitful, but the fruit from the grafted branch is genetically derived from the first tree. Adoptive parents need to allow their children to reach their God-given potential as their children are led, with the genes they inherited from their birthparents. But this, too, is really no different from the apporpriate attitude parents should have toward biological children.
The need to belong and the need to be authentic are two important factors in a healthy family environment. A third need of the adopted child is to be given a sense of dignity.”
Filed under: General by Tamara
“Adoptive parents need to know that a child can love both his family and his birthfamily. When adopted children have the support of secure adoptive parens, they learn early on that they do not need to choose. They learn there is room in their heart for both those who gave them life and those who gave them a permanent family. By giving a child permission to have thoughts and feelings for his birthfamily, adoptive parents are in reality strengthening thier relationship with their child”.
page 183; The Whole Life Adoption Book; Jayne Schooler & Thomas Atwood
Filed under: Articles, Books and Resources by Tamara
