When you decide to adopt a baby, you should expect that you and your family will be undergoing stress. This will apply not only to you, but to the child as well. By knowing the kinds of stress involved in adoption, you might want to find ways to help you cope to make the adoption successful.
When you choose to foster a baby, there are two kinds of stress that are involved. These are pre-adoption and post-adoption stress.
Pre-adoption stress
This kind of stress is present before foster care occurs. Aside from the person or couple adopting the baby, the birth parents who will be surrendering their child for adoption could also undergo a lot of stress. This is given due to the fact that they may not want to put their baby for adoption. But oftentimes, because of certain circumstances, they have little or no choice in the situation. Being financially unstable or having no means to provide for their baby may be the reason why they have to surrender him/her for adoption.
For the foster parents, they may also undergo a stressful experience before adopting a baby or as they plan to do so. One of the things that can cause stress is the process itself. They will be required to spend time, money and effort to attain their goal. Before someone can adopt a child/baby, there are legal proceedings that need to be followed. This can also place stress to the foster parents.
Other than the ones mentioned above, foster parents can also suffer from emotional stress prior to adoption. This can be caused by certain "misunderstandings" and physiological deficiencies that have caused the need to adopt, like infertility, losses, and other issues.
Post-adoption stress
After fulfilling their goal, there are certain factors which can cause stress for the foster parents. The sudden changes of having to live with a baby will cause certain amount of stress. There will be changes in the living pattern in order to accommodate the new baby. This will also include having to provide for the baby's basic needs like food, clothing, baby gears, etc.
Other than the sudden changes that they have to go through, having achieved their goal in adopting a baby can also re-open certain question and sensitive issues. They may have to face the pains of their losses, issues about infertility and other things.
If they are unable to cope with post-adoption stress, they may result to post-adoption depression. Unlike postpartum depression that most, if not all, mothers undergo which is caused by sudden changes in their hormonal levels, post-adoption stress or depression is more about the emotional aspect. This can include their fears, sadness, anger, sense of loss, etc.
If you feel like you have some things that are still unresolved, it would be best if you seek for help to overcome these issues before going through with an adoption. This can allow you to better cope with adopting a baby and handle the stress that comes along with it.
Minggu, 17 September 2017
Kamis, 31 Agustus 2017
3 Reasons Why You Should Adopt Rescue Dogs From an Adoption Shelter
Whether you're thinking of adopting a puppy, small dogs for adoption or really thinking of adopting any canine up for adoption, you should be looking to adopt rescue dogs from an adoption shelter.
First, you're helping the canine population in general. Usually, rescue dogs are at the bottom of dog society - while no one wants to see a dog abused or a dog abandoned, it happens to these poor creatures regularly through no fault of their own. Many die, unfortunately, but a lot do make it to an adoption shelter. These rescue dogs so appreciate any kindness they're shown and only need a good home with your loving family to move to the top of dog society as a much-beloved family pet!
Second, you may well be saving the life of a poor little puppy or a loving older pooch. Not every shelter is a no kill dog shelter - some have no choice but to put canines to sleep if they aren't adopted, as the shelter may not have enough room for the number of strays they get. A true no kill dog shelter must have a big budget, have a number of volunteers who'll take a foster dog, or refer new arrivals to other dog centers when their facilities are full.
This is especially true of older or geriatric animals - while a lot of people will take an older, well-behaved pooch as a foster dog, fewer will adopt geriatric ones as they don't have that long to live. Realistically, most people think of adopting a puppy, but puppy adopting can be equally taxing depending on puppy temperament (often a trait of the puppy breed). Similarly, most start out looking for small dogs for adoption, and again usually a small dog puppy.
And while there's nothing wrong with a puppy rescue adoption, the choice to shelter a canine who is a bit bigger and longer in the tooth is probably the most humane adoption there is. We may all love puppy pics, but picking an old and trustworthy friend from an adoption shelter can be just as rewarding for you and help a geriatric pooch live out his or her final years as a beloved and well-cared-for pet.
Finally, and just as importantly, when you adopt rescue dogs from an adoption shelter you free up the space, food and time used to look after your new pet, allowing them to accept another rescue dog in place of the dog adopted. These caring dog centers get far more dogs for adoptions than they can handle, so it's important that we all do our part to help the adoption shelter as best we can.
If you're not sure about owning a dog or adopting a puppy, speak to them about looking after a foster dog. A foster dog is one that is awaiting adoption, and you get a chance to try having a dog in the house while the adoption shelter has temporary space freed up to accept another dog abused and/or abandoned by some jerk. Just be forewarned - when you decide to shelter a dog as a foster dog, more often than not a loving bond develops between you and you end up deciding not to return them to the adoption shelter, but to keep them as the newest loving member of your family!
First, you're helping the canine population in general. Usually, rescue dogs are at the bottom of dog society - while no one wants to see a dog abused or a dog abandoned, it happens to these poor creatures regularly through no fault of their own. Many die, unfortunately, but a lot do make it to an adoption shelter. These rescue dogs so appreciate any kindness they're shown and only need a good home with your loving family to move to the top of dog society as a much-beloved family pet!
Second, you may well be saving the life of a poor little puppy or a loving older pooch. Not every shelter is a no kill dog shelter - some have no choice but to put canines to sleep if they aren't adopted, as the shelter may not have enough room for the number of strays they get. A true no kill dog shelter must have a big budget, have a number of volunteers who'll take a foster dog, or refer new arrivals to other dog centers when their facilities are full.
This is especially true of older or geriatric animals - while a lot of people will take an older, well-behaved pooch as a foster dog, fewer will adopt geriatric ones as they don't have that long to live. Realistically, most people think of adopting a puppy, but puppy adopting can be equally taxing depending on puppy temperament (often a trait of the puppy breed). Similarly, most start out looking for small dogs for adoption, and again usually a small dog puppy.
And while there's nothing wrong with a puppy rescue adoption, the choice to shelter a canine who is a bit bigger and longer in the tooth is probably the most humane adoption there is. We may all love puppy pics, but picking an old and trustworthy friend from an adoption shelter can be just as rewarding for you and help a geriatric pooch live out his or her final years as a beloved and well-cared-for pet.
Finally, and just as importantly, when you adopt rescue dogs from an adoption shelter you free up the space, food and time used to look after your new pet, allowing them to accept another rescue dog in place of the dog adopted. These caring dog centers get far more dogs for adoptions than they can handle, so it's important that we all do our part to help the adoption shelter as best we can.
If you're not sure about owning a dog or adopting a puppy, speak to them about looking after a foster dog. A foster dog is one that is awaiting adoption, and you get a chance to try having a dog in the house while the adoption shelter has temporary space freed up to accept another dog abused and/or abandoned by some jerk. Just be forewarned - when you decide to shelter a dog as a foster dog, more often than not a loving bond develops between you and you end up deciding not to return them to the adoption shelter, but to keep them as the newest loving member of your family!
Selasa, 08 Agustus 2017
Creating A Positive Learning Environment For Foster And Adoptive Children In The Classroom
Nine years ago I found myself in a difficult situation when it came to completing a homework assignment with a foster child who was living in my home. The homework assignment was to fill in a family tree. Sounds easy, right? Well, in this case, there were a variety of reasons that prevented us from filling in that tree. The main reason was due to the lack of information we had on the biological family. The assignment was returned incomplete with an explanation and request for modifying it so we could complete it. After a lengthy discussion with the teacher, the requested modifications were made and the assignment was completed. However, the public humiliation could not be erased, and the positive learning environment for the foster child had been compromised.
The recollection of this experience came to me as I was searching through my daughter's homework folder for the first time. I began wondering how we would handle this assignment with her first grade teacher. My daughter was adopted at birth; and has known from an early age as to how we became a family. For her to complete a family tree assignment, she would need a tree with branches AND roots. A family tree that diagrams the birth and adoptive families she has come to know and love. For other children like my foster child and those who do not have much information about their biological families, it may be a tree with one branch and some leaves. The assignment should be modified in a way that gives them an opportunity to successfully complete it without public humiliation from class mates and the receipt of an incomplete grade.
My wondering led me to researching and compiling a list of useful tips and resources parents can share with teachers and school staff to create a positive learning environment for foster and adoptive children in the classroom when it comes to similar assignments.
Talk to the teacher about your foster care or adopted child before the new school year starts. Keep in mind that this is private information, and sharing may be difficult for you. The discussion can be as simple as revealing nothing more than the child is in a foster care placement, or has been adopted by you. Share what ever you think will create a positive learning environment for the child.
Provide a list of organizations that focus on foster care and adoption. The following are organizations that I have found to be helpful in educating family, friends, and teacher about the unique way we became a family.
The Center for Adoption Support and Education, Inc. (C.A.S.E.) is a private, non-profit adoptive family support center that offers workshops on how to address the sensitivity that surrounds families who were created through the unique process of foster care and adoption.
The recollection of this experience came to me as I was searching through my daughter's homework folder for the first time. I began wondering how we would handle this assignment with her first grade teacher. My daughter was adopted at birth; and has known from an early age as to how we became a family. For her to complete a family tree assignment, she would need a tree with branches AND roots. A family tree that diagrams the birth and adoptive families she has come to know and love. For other children like my foster child and those who do not have much information about their biological families, it may be a tree with one branch and some leaves. The assignment should be modified in a way that gives them an opportunity to successfully complete it without public humiliation from class mates and the receipt of an incomplete grade.
My wondering led me to researching and compiling a list of useful tips and resources parents can share with teachers and school staff to create a positive learning environment for foster and adoptive children in the classroom when it comes to similar assignments.
Talk to the teacher about your foster care or adopted child before the new school year starts. Keep in mind that this is private information, and sharing may be difficult for you. The discussion can be as simple as revealing nothing more than the child is in a foster care placement, or has been adopted by you. Share what ever you think will create a positive learning environment for the child.
Provide a list of organizations that focus on foster care and adoption. The following are organizations that I have found to be helpful in educating family, friends, and teacher about the unique way we became a family.
The Center for Adoption Support and Education, Inc. (C.A.S.E.) is a private, non-profit adoptive family support center that offers workshops on how to address the sensitivity that surrounds families who were created through the unique process of foster care and adoption.
Kamis, 27 Juli 2017
Adoption and Foster Care - Five Tips on How to Adopt a Foster Child
Those looking into adoption and foster care need to realize that if they wish to give their foster child a permanent home, the process of finalizing the adoption could be a long one. It takes around a year or so. If a foster parent wants to adopt the child in his or her care, or someone just wants to directly adopt a child in the system, all that is involved can seem confusing and overwhelming. With this said, it helps to have some tips on hand that break down the legal process piece by piece.
First, people need to locate local adoption agencies. These agencies have to be asked about whatever experiences they have with the adoption of foster children. Potential parents then have to select one that they are comfortable with. Once one is selected, those wishing to adopt children need to make sure that they meet all foster adoption requirements. These vary from state to state, but they generally dictate that parents be between twenty-one and fifty-five years of age; have no criminal records; and live in a house that meets their state's size requirements.
Second, paperwork will need to be filled out that asks applicants for basic information, including name, address, employment history, and more. The applicant should at this point ask the agency about all of the adoption costs involved and see if they could be reimbursed for any of the fees. The agency may also recommend that some child care and parenting classes by taken.
Third, a home study appointment has to be set up with the agency. Before this process takes place, however, the agency will check into the potential adoptive parent's employment and criminal (if any) history. The applicant will also have to get some solid recommendations; family and friends are usually chosen as references.
Fourth, the home study is conducted contingent on the applicant's passing all criminal and employment background checks. This involves a caseworker coming to the home to make sure that it is suitable to raise a child or more in. If the person applying for adoption is already a foster parent, then the worker will check to see that the parent is following the proper foster care procedures.
Fifth, once the prospective adoptive parent passes the home study test, then he or she can be placed with a child.
The adoption agency will place a child with the applicant, and a visit will be arranged (if the foster child is not already under the parent's care) to ensure that both the parent and child are comfortable with the placement. Once the child moves in, then a court date will be arranged where adoption papers will be signed. This will make the adoption both legal and complete.
In conclusion, there is a lot involved when people are looking to adopt foster children. With this said, it helps to have tips that aid in the process.
First, people need to locate local adoption agencies. These agencies have to be asked about whatever experiences they have with the adoption of foster children. Potential parents then have to select one that they are comfortable with. Once one is selected, those wishing to adopt children need to make sure that they meet all foster adoption requirements. These vary from state to state, but they generally dictate that parents be between twenty-one and fifty-five years of age; have no criminal records; and live in a house that meets their state's size requirements.
Second, paperwork will need to be filled out that asks applicants for basic information, including name, address, employment history, and more. The applicant should at this point ask the agency about all of the adoption costs involved and see if they could be reimbursed for any of the fees. The agency may also recommend that some child care and parenting classes by taken.
Third, a home study appointment has to be set up with the agency. Before this process takes place, however, the agency will check into the potential adoptive parent's employment and criminal (if any) history. The applicant will also have to get some solid recommendations; family and friends are usually chosen as references.
Fourth, the home study is conducted contingent on the applicant's passing all criminal and employment background checks. This involves a caseworker coming to the home to make sure that it is suitable to raise a child or more in. If the person applying for adoption is already a foster parent, then the worker will check to see that the parent is following the proper foster care procedures.
Fifth, once the prospective adoptive parent passes the home study test, then he or she can be placed with a child.
The adoption agency will place a child with the applicant, and a visit will be arranged (if the foster child is not already under the parent's care) to ensure that both the parent and child are comfortable with the placement. Once the child moves in, then a court date will be arranged where adoption papers will be signed. This will make the adoption both legal and complete.
In conclusion, there is a lot involved when people are looking to adopt foster children. With this said, it helps to have tips that aid in the process.
Senin, 10 Juli 2017
New Study Opens Eyes on the Relative Quality of Foster Care
Apparently the news is in on the contentious issue of whether children are better left at home or put in foster care.
The largest study on the subject (15,000+ kids from 1990 to 2002) says children whose families are investigated for abuse or neglect are likely to do better in life if they stay with their families than if they go into foster care.
The USA Today (7-3-07) reported that kids who stayed with their families were less likely to become juvenile delinquents or teen mothers and more likely to hold jobs as young adults, according to the study by Joseph Doyle, who studies social policy as an economics professor at MIT's Sloan School of Management.
A sampling of the study results showed:
Only 14% of young adults were arrested at least once when staying at home and 44% were arrested when going to foster care.
Only 33% became teen mothers when staying at home and 56% became mothers when going to foster care.
At least 33% held a job for at least 3 months when staying at home and only 20% held a job for at least 3 months when going to foster care.
"The size of the effects surprised me, because all the children come from tough families," Doyle said. The National Science Foundation funded the study.
Studies, including those by Mark Courtney while at the University of Chicago's Chapin Hall Center, show that the 500,000 children in U. S. foster care are more likely than other kids to drop out of school, commit crimes, abuse drugs and become teen parents.
I personally know two foster children who became very successful in life as adults.
I have never cared for the foster care program because I believe far too many foster parents are in it for the money and not for the tremendous responsibility they accept. I believe adoption sends a much different message than being a foster parent.
The largest study on the subject (15,000+ kids from 1990 to 2002) says children whose families are investigated for abuse or neglect are likely to do better in life if they stay with their families than if they go into foster care.
The USA Today (7-3-07) reported that kids who stayed with their families were less likely to become juvenile delinquents or teen mothers and more likely to hold jobs as young adults, according to the study by Joseph Doyle, who studies social policy as an economics professor at MIT's Sloan School of Management.
A sampling of the study results showed:
Only 14% of young adults were arrested at least once when staying at home and 44% were arrested when going to foster care.
Only 33% became teen mothers when staying at home and 56% became mothers when going to foster care.
At least 33% held a job for at least 3 months when staying at home and only 20% held a job for at least 3 months when going to foster care.
"The size of the effects surprised me, because all the children come from tough families," Doyle said. The National Science Foundation funded the study.
Studies, including those by Mark Courtney while at the University of Chicago's Chapin Hall Center, show that the 500,000 children in U. S. foster care are more likely than other kids to drop out of school, commit crimes, abuse drugs and become teen parents.
I personally know two foster children who became very successful in life as adults.
I have never cared for the foster care program because I believe far too many foster parents are in it for the money and not for the tremendous responsibility they accept. I believe adoption sends a much different message than being a foster parent.
Jumat, 30 Juni 2017
Basic Information in Planning For Foster Care Adoption
The foster care adoption system provides temporary family care and shelter to any child from birth to 18 years old. Most of these children are left to fend for themselves at a very young age. Some have parents incapable of providing their basic needs, a loving and caring environment. Some of the children have been through very rough experiences in their own homes like physical, emotional and sexual abuse as well as deprivation and other negative experiences.
It was currently recorded in the US that the average stay of children in their foster homes is 31 months. Half of the children get to be permanently adopted. The process to get into foster care adoption may vary, depending on the policies implemented by agencies and areas. The prospective foster parents undergo training and have to obtain a license. The process also involves a lot of paperwork, background check and a home study.
Parents are also provided stipends to contribute to the expenses entailed in taking care of the children. These include clothing, school supplies and toiletries. Supervised visitation of biological parents is also done in the foster care system. Length of the visit may vary.
Of course, foster care adoptions have its advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that it reassures parents that they are providing a very positive contribution to children and their biological families. It also builds a strong emotional bond between the foster parents and the children; likewise, visibly benefitting both parties in the process. The state also provides compensation to the foster families.
There are some disadvantages also. First, both foster parents/family and children undergo the pain of separation, once and if a child is reunited to his family of origin. The stipend for foster parents is not enough to provide for the overall needs of the child. Hence, foster care adoption may also mean that foster parents have the resources to be able to tend to the needs of the child. Thus, emotional and financial strains may be created within the foster family. It also creates a feeling somehow that there is never enough support or resources for the children in foster care.
Foster care adoption may require a certain amount of money. Private and agency adoptions may require a starting amount of $5,000 to $40,000. The amount may vary, depending on the required documents the foster care adoption arrangements would entail. These factors include services, travel expenses, birthmother expenses, documents or other requirements from the state, among other factors. International adoptions costs go between $7,000 and $30,000.
In the US, the foster care system is not that costly though. One of the factors that determine the permanence of foster care adoption is the result of the rehabilitation of parents after a period of six months to more than a year. If there were very little or no changes seen after such time, parental rights are terminated (TPR). Before reaching this point, case workers must be able to tell whether the child's case is heading towards this direction. He is then transferred to a family that has an intention to permanently adopt him. The court will process the adoption commencing once the TPR is deemed effective. The adoption also entails that the right of the biological parent to know who the adoptive parents are becomes void. Although in many cases, adoptive parents were able to build a good relationship with the birth parents.
It was currently recorded in the US that the average stay of children in their foster homes is 31 months. Half of the children get to be permanently adopted. The process to get into foster care adoption may vary, depending on the policies implemented by agencies and areas. The prospective foster parents undergo training and have to obtain a license. The process also involves a lot of paperwork, background check and a home study.
Parents are also provided stipends to contribute to the expenses entailed in taking care of the children. These include clothing, school supplies and toiletries. Supervised visitation of biological parents is also done in the foster care system. Length of the visit may vary.
Of course, foster care adoptions have its advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that it reassures parents that they are providing a very positive contribution to children and their biological families. It also builds a strong emotional bond between the foster parents and the children; likewise, visibly benefitting both parties in the process. The state also provides compensation to the foster families.
There are some disadvantages also. First, both foster parents/family and children undergo the pain of separation, once and if a child is reunited to his family of origin. The stipend for foster parents is not enough to provide for the overall needs of the child. Hence, foster care adoption may also mean that foster parents have the resources to be able to tend to the needs of the child. Thus, emotional and financial strains may be created within the foster family. It also creates a feeling somehow that there is never enough support or resources for the children in foster care.
Foster care adoption may require a certain amount of money. Private and agency adoptions may require a starting amount of $5,000 to $40,000. The amount may vary, depending on the required documents the foster care adoption arrangements would entail. These factors include services, travel expenses, birthmother expenses, documents or other requirements from the state, among other factors. International adoptions costs go between $7,000 and $30,000.
In the US, the foster care system is not that costly though. One of the factors that determine the permanence of foster care adoption is the result of the rehabilitation of parents after a period of six months to more than a year. If there were very little or no changes seen after such time, parental rights are terminated (TPR). Before reaching this point, case workers must be able to tell whether the child's case is heading towards this direction. He is then transferred to a family that has an intention to permanently adopt him. The court will process the adoption commencing once the TPR is deemed effective. The adoption also entails that the right of the biological parent to know who the adoptive parents are becomes void. Although in many cases, adoptive parents were able to build a good relationship with the birth parents.
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