Articles & Stories: Post Adoption

Clinical Articles

Answering the Postplacement Service Question: Why Are We Doing This?
by Laura Stevens, MSW, PhD
While most prospective adoptive families are familiar with the need for a homestudy, postplacement services are not as well known and, like the homestudy, are often misunderstood.

Beneath The Mask - A Book Review
by Deb Shrier, MSW, LCSW
Browse the shelves of any bookstore and you will find a growing number of titles which are geared towards helping bewildered parents maneuver themselves through the maze of the most challenging developmental stage in life: their child’s adolescence.

Celebrating Family: the Role of Holiday Rituals
by Barb Drotos, LICSW
Most families have rituals over the holidays. Some are simple and unspoken, some are elaborate with the finest details. Some families come together and fill a house with the hustle and bustle of gifts, laughter, and high energy.

China Ties Program: A Homeland Tour
by Heather Ames, Director of Post Adoption Services
Do younger children benefit from a homeland tour? Can they tolerate two weeks of travel? How will they feel about visiting their orphanages?

A Homeland Tour to Russia
by Heather Ames, Director of Post Adoption Services
It has been 14 years since Russia opened its doors to international adoption. Many of the pioneer families who adopted in the first five years of the program are now thinking about a return trip with their children.

The Importance of Connection and Roots in Identity Development
by Heather Ames, Director of Post Adoption Services
At some point in their life, international adoptees who join families of a different race often describe experiencing a feeling of confusion about who they are and how they fit in the world.

Parent Education: Back to School Basics
by Deb Shrier, MSW, LCSW
My child is beginning kindergarten this year. He was adopted domestically as an infant. Do I need to share this information with his teacher or the school?

Post-Adoption Depression
by Judy Grob-Whiting, MSW
When I first heard the term, post adoption depression (PAD), it seemed like a paradox.

Sticky Situations & Peanut Butter Crackers: Advocating For Your Child
by Deb Shrier, MSW, LCSW
You need to be your child's biggest advocate..." Remember hearing that in your pre-adopt class?

Family Stories

China 33 - One in a Million
by Barbara I
This is not just another story about a special travel group, this is a story about a special family...the China 33 Family.

Keeping the Connection
by Barbara E
Family reunions are a summer tradition -- time to catch up on the past year's events, see how the children have grown, share memories, laugh, eat, and play.

The Promises We Keep
by Trish W
He looked at me questioningly, with tears brimming and I answered "welcome home." Those expressive brown eyes spoke to me as they always have and all I could do was hug my 14 year old son.

Trail of Clues
by Carolyn D
"I already..." "I already..." I already what? This seemingly benign phrase turned out to be the first indicator that our daughter, Jessica, had a language-based learning disorder.

Two Mothers
by Kathryn R
Two mothers, one planet, and one beautiful child - deeply loved by both mothers. I am an adoptive mother, my new Chinese friend, a foster mother.

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