Search Results for: HappyMomAnna.com

Primary and Secondary Health Insurance Coverage

Our family has had a difficult start to the year 2007! As some may know we are the Adoptive Parents of two special needs siblings placed through the state foster care system. Our daughter, Makala, was 5-years-old and her biological brother Jeremiah was 1-year-old at the time they were placed for adoption in our family during 2003. This has been an interesting and long four years. Our little girl has had several issues no one knew existed among them Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders, (ARND). Special Needs children adopted from the child services system often have continued benefits. Older, or special needs … Continue reading →

Mental Health and Insurance: Advocating for Makala

It’s been a long four-years since this picture was taken and we brought Makala and Jeremiah home to be our children. It required nearly two-years before we met them to complete the application for adoption, training as special needs parents, and have our home study done by the state. We chose to adopt special needs siblings from our state foster care system. Our lives were stable and we had experience raising Sean and Tori who were on their way to college. We wanted and worked hard to get into a position of making a huge change in the lives of … Continue reading →

Making a Support Group Successful

As I’ve been working with my co-leader Anna on building up our adoption support group, Oregon Adoptive Parents Network. To keep our group growing and thriving, here are some things we found needing attention: Advertising: How are people expected to attend a group they know nothing about? Currently with November being National Adoption Awareness Month, my co-leader Anna and I are really beginning to push advertising. We’ve made our fliers and have distributed them with local adoption agencies, and community resource places. We have also put an ad in the local paper. Most people who’ve come to our group have … Continue reading →

Building a Support Network

When my husband and I were waiting for an adoptive placement, we thought it would be of great benefit to become involved with an adoption support group. Never at that time did I think I’d ever be a part of building the kind of support network we have today. After my husband and I were blessed with our first precious son, it was only I who continued attending group at the local state offices in which we’d adopted from. A friend from group and I, eventually became the old-timers and were able to direct the meetings how we felt to … Continue reading →

Things I Wish I was Told about Adoption

I’m not only going to share the things that I wish I was told about adoption prior to doing it, but the things I’m glad I was told as well. Keep in mind this list pertains primarily to state adoptions: • Whether you give birth, or adopt, if you haven’t met the child prior, you really never know what you will get in regard to special needs. • The process of waiting and emotional ups and downs will better prepare you for the road ahead. • Get involved with a support group! Being in one ourselves, my husband and I … Continue reading →

When the Honeymoon is Over

Not everyone who adopts retains the euphoric feeling that often comes after the news of being selected or matched. These feelings sometimes diminish even before meeting the child due to fear and anxiety of the unknown. Many of these fears subside upon meeting the child. Honeymoon periods vary in each situation. Parents go through their own honeymoon phase as do their children sometimes. With my first son, the excitement lasted about 8 months until it really hit me that I was a mom and found myself caught up in everyday life. With my youngest son who was technically foster at … Continue reading →

The Kids through State Adoptions

Contrary to the stories, concerns and fears you might have read about online, most of the kids adopted through the state that I personally know about are genuinely well adjusted and happy. Many potential adoptive parents become scared off after reading an adoption forum site or watching television. Before becoming resistant to state adoption, there are a few things I’d like you to know: 1. Adoption forum sites typically have posts by parents seeking support and information rather than raving about their wonderful and beautiful children. In other words, people with happy and normal lives don’t always sit and talk … Continue reading →

Saying No To a Sibling Placement

Last month I wrote a blog entitled “The Call for a Sibling” where I touched on how likely it was there would be additional children born to our sons’ birth mothers. I’m going to further elaborate here on the pain of saying “no”. I wrote the following October 13, 2005 while I was awake in grief and in prayer: Who’s Child Are You? Who’s child are you sent from above? Many homes waiting to offer you love. Forming in chaos I hear your soul cry, “Pray for my life, my mom’s getting high.” Longing hearts waiting to wipe away tears; … Continue reading →

You Are Your Child’s Advocate

Issues that arise in kids that have been adopted can vary so greatly. They can be genetically caused, or environmentally. Too many times there are combinations of these issues. Children who’ve been exposed prenatally to drugs often have a difficult time getting a proper diagnosis. Their symptoms could be a result of neurological brain damage or something else. Regardless, you know your child and should be their number one advocate. I have found those with children biologically will sometimes down play some of my concerns stating their kids did similar things. Usually it’s meant to reassure me. It’s important to … Continue reading →

The Value of Adoptive Parent Support Groups.

Being part of a group of people with common interests, experiences, and unique family situations is often a helpful part of Establishing a Support System. As a pro-active parent I have always involved myself in groups that support our family life style and activities. Being involved in something that exposes me to other people dealing with common issues provides networking and sharing of information. Support groups have been a place for me to meet other people facing similar life situations and I have rarely left a support group meeting where I had not learned something or been fortified in some … Continue reading →