Anna Glendenning's comments

Gay Parents: Less Than Optimal? - Blog Entry

21 Feb 2006 10:50 PM

I feel this is a wonderful debate. First let me say, that as far as parenting is concerned I have no problem with same sex parenting or the lifestyle in general.

The Issue to me is in fact the Children and one point many people fail to understand is that Children who are old enough to express their own opinion are often given the right to do so...Especially with State or Foster to Adopt children.

We adopted our siblings when Makala was five and Jeremiah was one year old. Our daughter was asked what she wanted her forever family to be like. She requested: A big Sister, a Cat and a Swing Set....

Before, we could go meet our children my husband, oldest son and all the neighbors spent a weekend during a snow storm building our daughters Swing Set... The state would NOT allow us to even meet her without her wish being granted.

I believe that it is fine to Want to be a Parent but, that considering the childs dream and epectations about the family they want is FAR more important than How the Adults feel.

Children in the Foster Care System have been Hurt--have Lost their biological families and in many cases have lived with multiple caregivers. These children are in many cases very hurt and need families that meet their expectations at least on some of the surface issues.

In order to Ask a Child in Foster Care if they would want same sex parents, information and acceptance would be very important. Foster children have so many issues to overcome, I frankly feel that for some children the added stress and differences of being in a non-traditional family could be more stress then the CHILD should face.

I have asked my now eight year old daughter what she would have thought if her forever parents had been two mom's or two dad's and I will not write here what her reaction to this question really was. I can say, that ANY Parent who adopted my daughter would have some real issues to help her over come and honsetly I do not think this child could have ever dealt with a same sex parenting situation.

Those who feel Adoption is All about the Child...need to respect the childs feelings first. When a child is old enough to say, "I want two mom's" or "I want to dad's" then I have no problem with adoptive placement of Foster Children.

Same sex parents should want the same thing I do for children leaving Foster Care. In this situation we are not talking about newborn babies who can grow into and accept the life they always remember.

This is just how I feel about the issue having adopted two children from the Foster Care System, which is the point of this blog.

Thanks For sharing this information with everyone.

Health Care When Your Child Comes Home - Blog Entry

18 Feb 2006 06:33 PM

Rachel,

I will put together a blog to answer your questions! Hopefully my next entry will have some great tips.

Adoption Transitions #1: Adoptive Parents Wait - Blog Entry

16 Feb 2006 05:55 PM

Rachel Are You reading my outline?! LOL! It just so happens the Lifebook subject is #3 of this series!

http://adoption.families.com/blog/adoption-transitions-3-starting-your-childs-lifebook

Anna

I want it ALL - Blog Entry

10 Feb 2006 05:05 PM

We do a lot of practice shopping..... Going to the mall and NOT buying anything at alll even for mom....

I have also found the ONE Thing Rule helps me! I will never forget the time my daughter got Cabbage because she just had to have something and when she was pointing at the cabbage and saying she really liked it---SHE GOT IT!

I do have to say that expereince has resulted in her being much more careful about the things she points out to me!

Tags - Article

09 Feb 2006 11:55 PM

I noticed there is a tag option on the blog entries, but I have had not been able to tag mine? Are the blogs tagable?

No College Student Left Behind - Blog Entry

09 Feb 2006 10:16 PM

I do agree that all students should have access to a good public school education.

I believe, as a parent, it is my responsibility to hold my child's school accountable for providing this education.

If I decide to have my children educated outside of the public schools then that seems like a choice I make for my children. This choice may in fact impact their opportunities to access some of the benefits the public school system may provide.

I feel the questions you ask in this blog are the questions each parent should be asking their own public school's. When we hold the schools accountable for our child's education we accomplish much more then when we reject what is offered and find an alternate system.

Just my opinion thanks for this blog entry!

How I Learned my Son has Juvenile Diabetes: Garrett's Story - Blog Entry

09 Feb 2006 04:28 AM

My best friend from childhood was diabetic and I am so happy that today the testing and treatment is so advanced. With attention and good care things should go much better with children today..... Thank you for this information it is very helpful.

My Son's Eyes - Blog Entry

09 Feb 2006 04:22 AM

I enjoyed reading this blog Kathy, Thank you for writing it!

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA - Blog Entry

09 Feb 2006 01:03 AM

Thanks Kristyn! Its all good and hopefully special needs parents will find some helpful information here!

The Military Move - Blog Entry

06 Feb 2006 08:29 PM

ahhhh so this is where you are today! I hope the bed setting up is going well and everyone in your family has a place to sleep and a good hot meal tonight!