As you regular readers know, my husband and I are in the midst of the adoption process with hopes of welcoming into our home a newborn infant. We don’t know exactly when but if all works according to plan the baby will be released from the hospital and placed into our home without foster care being involved.

The reason I am bring this up is to make a point. The only way that my husband and I will have a child is through adoption. The reality is that after several failed pregnancies it is not going to happen naturally and our desire to be parents... more

The institute outlines in the press release main recommendations which include making information pressure fee decisions, their own legal representation, counseling about options which include adoption and parenting, and the impact of adoption. The Institute further recommends all states to establish legally enforceable post adoption contact agreements, the timing of relinquishment and signing of relinquishment need to be longer and informed periods, natural fathers rights should be protected more in the law and in practice.

It is also noted that... more

The Evelyn B. Donaldson Adoption Institute has conducted a research project titled Safeguarding the Rights and Well Being of Birth Parents in the Adoption Process” and found that for those who choose adoption for their infants do not have their rights and needs sufficiently addressed in US law and practice. The link to the press release that was sent out November 19th is at http://www.adoptioninstitute.org/media/20061115_study_birthparents.php and the link for the study is... more

I know that many of us have been writing about Madonna and her adoption situation. I actually have been avoiding writing about it as well but the article at http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/lifestyles/104980,3_5_EL22_CELEBADOPT_S1.article made me change my mind.

The article titled Celebrity Adoptions: Heartfelt Acts or Publicity Stunts really caught my eye and I felt it was worth spending some time writing a blog... more

If you subscribe to an adoption news service such as Adoption News Service of GRC Update, then you may have seen the recent article about legal action taken by the Navaho Nation to overturn the adoption of a minor child of a tribe member. The article appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. You can visit the article in its entirety at http://www.sltrib.com/ci_4551873?source=rss).

"The lawsuit highlights problems with Utah's adoption-friendly laws, which critics have said overlook the rights... more

Honestly, I need to say more on the subject for a couple of reasons. One is this comment which was on my Sandra’s blog.

"The little guy is better off I think. Isn't that what is important?"

Better off? Right, he will not starve to death, he will have nice clothes and good schooling. But, he will still be growing up away from his people - like most children of adoption do. That doesn't seem to matter to some people, and I guess I wish that it did. You have to weigh all the options when deciding if adoption... more

“They’re not my family, but losing my whole family, if I could just have some connection to him, just some connection,” Weaver said of her adopted brother. “I just want them to get to know what kind of person he was.”

While researching a project that I am working on, I ran across this article. It reminded me that taking your search public is one method of locating your birth family or your relinquished child. Most people would choose this method only they... more

Some people have suggested that everyone should lay off Madonna and stop picking on her. I guess I do not necessarily see discussing her adoption as “picking on her”. Besides, there are so many possible breaches of adoption practices involved in regards to her adoption, I think it would be irresponsible to ignore them, and pretend that they do not matter.

Although I really do not care to personally pick on Madonna, the furor surrounding her impending adoption raises so many questions. I wonder why with so many true orphans in Africa, Madonna... more

In 1938 adoption records were sealed from the public and then in 1940 this was extended to adoptees, natural parents, and adoptive parents. The current bill that is pending is the first bill that I have seen that has had a glamour of hope of passing in NJ.

S1087 would give adult adoptees, or the adoptee’s adult child, or the adoptive parents to request an original birth certificate.

In addition, natural parents who relinquished a child to adoption prior to the law being enacted has the ability to maintain their privacy if they request... more

Just in case you haven't heard enough yet about Madonna's adoption saga, here's more! She really is getting slammed from all sides right about now. A human rights group is even protesting her adoption! For that angle read here.

Then, there are those reports that the father of the boy really did not intend for his son to be adopted.

“I suppose deep in my heart I always imagined that when he was better, or I had got another wife, I would go and take him back,” Banda told... more