This afternoon I was taking a break after mowing the several acres that is our yard. I was flipping through channels and landed on a show on Discovery Health Network called “Adoption Stories.” Obviously this caught my attention.

This is the first episode I have seen, so my opinions are based on this episode alone.

The episode focused on one family. This is the description listed on the Discovery Health Network website.

The Wengrenowitz's... more

There is an opportunity for you to share your adoption story with other adoptive families and have your story read around the world.

“A Cup of Comfort,” a series of books similar to “Chicken Soup for the Soul” is publishing two new books that all of our stories are a perfect fit for. The first book is “A Cup of Comfort for Adoptive Parents” and the other is “A Cup of Comfort for Parents of Children with Special Needs.” I’m sure we can all write stories that will fit the format of what they are looking for.

Here is the submission request for the... more

It’s the final day of National Adoption Awareness Month. I hope you have enjoyed my blogs on this topic and took part in some of the ideas for adoption awareness. It was fun to write about them.

For a final event to celebrate the month, have a family picture taken. You can choose to have a formal portrait done, or have some fun.

Most people are getting ready to send out their holiday cards soon. Some people are really on the ball and already have them out. I’m lucky to get them out before the end of the year. You can include one of these pictures in... more

Two years ago the International Foster Care Organization (IFCO) held its conference in Madison, WI. Nancy and I attended the conference and we exhibited there as well. It was great to be able to hear some of the speakers, and to talk with other foster parents from around the world. Did you know the United States is the only country that says foster PARENTS? All the other countries say you are a foster CARER. I’m not sure which one is better, but it sure is interesting.

One of the most amazing exhibits was one that I was proud... more

The Catholic religion has a tradition of lighting candles for people in need and saying a prayer for them. Even though I was raised in the Catholic church, I never really understood the tradition, so I researched it.

The candle is meant to serve as a “vigil” for the person they are praying for, much as a community holds a candle light vigil for a senseless tragedy in their community.

There are thousands of children in foster care who could stand to have someone hold a vigil for them, but that’s pretty impractical. But, you can light a candle for the child. If... more

Once you have placement of a child, you are going to need support. There are few adoptions that go through with no issues at all. There will be things that come up that you will want other parents’ input on or just a hug to say “been there, done that.”

There are many support groups already in place. You can connect with one of them, or start your own.

I prefer the on-line support groups, because they fit my schedule and I can “talk” to someone any time of the day or night. I know that these are other parents who are living the same life and dealing with... more

I wrote a blog about the businesses that were nationally recognized as being adoption friendly. If your business is not adoption friendly you can talk with your supervisor or human resources department about making changes to company policy.

How do you find out if your company is adoption friendly? Start with your human resources department. If you are a large enough company, you should have an employee manual that will outline all employee benefits, paid leave, and other things you... more

While special needs or foster care adoption is relatively inexpensive, there are still some expenses which can add up quickly.

If you choose to have a private home study done, expenses can run anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000.

Time off of work can add up quickly as well. There is the time off to meet with workers during your home study, and then time off for transitional visits, and finally time off when your child moves into your home. If you are a two parent family, it is important that both of your spend time with your child. Whether you are home with your child at the same... more

We all know that there are good adoption workers, and some that are not so good. I have been blessed to have some really good ones. We still stay in touch with the worker who placed Sammy with us, even though she has left the department and moved to another part of the state. She remembers Sammy’s birthday every year.

The workers who placed Kory and Mackenzie with us were the best of the best. When we went through our abuse investigation they went to bat for us. They did not want the children moved and truly cared about them. They wanted to do everything... more

The presidential election is just under a year away. I know it feels like it should be closer since the candidates already started campaigning a year ago. This is a great time to make our voices and needs heard.

Start a letter writing campaign to each of the candidates. Tell them what foster and adoptive parents need. It may not make a difference immediately, but you never know, one candidate may make it a campaign issue if enough of us speak up.

You can tell your personal story, but don’t make it all about your story. Use it to make a point as to what... more