adoption
Adoption proves that sometimes, you can choose your family; all about the process before, during and after adoption.
The Adoptive Homestudy
If you are interested in expanding your family through adoption, you will need to prepared to complete the adoption process. So what is the process and how long will it take? The process itself and the time involved will differ from state to state, as each state has its own requirements to be approved as an adoptive parent. However, there are common requirements that must be met by all states. As you explore the idea of adoption, you will need to determine what the requirements are in the state that you reside.
By Clara Harrison8 years ago in Families
Why I Am Who I Am
My name is Derek and I was born in Kitale, Kenya. When I was around 4 years of age I realized that home was not a safe place for me so I walked into town to see if I could have a better life there. My mother had abandoned my brother and I as babies and we were living with extended family that didn’t have the capacity to care for us. I knew I had to find a better life for us if we were to survive. I lived on the streets for over a year and made many friends with the other street boys that lived there with me. Some of them were nice to me, and some of them weren’t. Life on the streets was hard but friends made it better. I had a friend named John Pokot. He was a few years older and had lived on the streets much longer than me so he showed me how to survive on the streets.
By Derek Hamer8 years ago in Families
My Unconventional Childhood and Why It Won't Define Me
Family is not defined by who was there when you began; it is defined by who stayed through it all. It is not defined by a man and a woman raising their biological child; it is defined by the experiences that you share with the people that you love, and who it is that would sacrifice everything for you. Family thrives in all different forms. I consider my friends to be my family. My dog is my family. My boyfriend is my family.
By Ella Riley8 years ago in Families
Placing My Daughter for Adoption
The moment I found out I was pregnant was very raw for me. It was a moment I was not expecting to have for years down the road. Being unmarried, I did not plan to get pregnant until after being married. Not only was it something I did not want for myself, being born to an unmarried mother was not something I wanted for any child I would have. It was the end of the day, I was expecting my period, and I was craving chicken wings. The thought crossed my mind that there was a chance I could be pregnant. It was something I didn't want to think about, yet I found myself in my yellow VW Bug driving to target to buy a pee stick. When I got home, I took the test. I bawled. I was angry at myself for getting into this situation; a situation I was not nearly equipped for.
By Alexis Fox8 years ago in Families
He'll Never Know His Daughter
He'll Never Know His Daughter Everyone has their story. My story replays like a movie in my head. But not like a good movie where you want to snack on some popcorn and kick back and enjoy. No, not like that. More along the lines of "Umm..what the fuck did I just watch?" kind of movie. Let's rewind the tape back 23 years. My mom was dating a Navy sailor. Romantic, huh? It was up until those two blue lines appeared, then he was gone. Fast forward eight months after I was born. My mom met a wonderful man who chose to be my father. They got married when I was two and then at three years old, The Sailor revoked his rights and allowed my FATHER to adopt me.
By Halie Marie8 years ago in Families
Mama
They wouldn't tell me who you are, who you were. "I love that lady." Do you remember that day at Chuckee Cheese? I was terrified of the ball pit. My overactive imagination thought the multi-colored plastic balls were swallowing the other children. I didn't understand that there was a net at the bottom. Catching them. Keeping them safe. I was sure that it was endless and that if I went in I would never came out. You held me near the entrance, you explained to me how it worked. We would take individual balls out so I could hold them. So I could feel their weight. You helped me understand. You patiently taught me until I was no longer afraid.
By Mira Archuleta8 years ago in Families
Meet Me in Guangzhou
My husband and I boarded the 15-hour flight to Guangzhou, China. We had spent the last fourteen months completing all the necessary paperwork, preparing our home, and packing and re-packing our suitcases. Finally, the time had come to meet our ten-month-old daughter for the first time.
By Tonya Hieser8 years ago in Families
