This blog is dedicated to the issues surrounding the adoption of children age 5 and older at the time of their adoption.

Share your stories and resources!!!

I'm seeking stories from anyone who's brought home a child age 5 or over. I don't care what country your child is from. You can share whatever you think is important about your journey.

I'm also adding links for various resources...books, websites, adoption agencies that focus on older kids, etc. If you have a good resource, please share.

If you have any suggestions, please share those as well.

Right now, please keep in mind that this is very new and the blog has a long way to go. But I'm really excited about the possibilities this blog could provide.

Please feel free to share it with anyone you know who has adopted older kids.

If you comment on posts, please remember to keep it respectful.  While adding an older child can be very rewarding, parenthood is at times frustrating.  Everyone does not parent in the same way.  I would hate for people to stop sharing their stories due to disrespectful comments from others.

Thanks!!!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Family needed ASAP for China Adoption

Emergency Adoption Boy Aging Out in May 2010

WACAP is a non-profit adoption agency (www.wacap.org)

Families with a Dossier logged in (or able to before February 1st) whether or not they have a child assigned to them already may inquire if they are interested in adopting this particular older child please call ASAP email, FamilyFinders@wacap.org, 1-800-732-1887.

MX is an older boy age 13 who shared that, while living at the orphanage, he has seen mostly the younger children being adopted. He also shared that he has had many friends about his same age at the orphanage, but they have all either been adopted or have a family coming for them. He is sad to be left behind. Our staff said ” He is very good looking and seems like a normal teen age boy to me.”He is very motivated to be adopted and traveled from another orphanage as the only older child with all the younger children to come and meet us and discuss any adoption opportunities with us.

While appearing quite shy, he is engaging and had a very disarming smile. When asked about what he likes to do he responded that he loves to play basketball. His favorite player is “Kobe”. He is currently in the appropriate grade for his age in secondary school. His favorite subject is language. He speaks a little English. When asked what he wanted to be when he grows up, he said he wants to be a cartoonist because he loves to draw. He gave us pictures that he had drawn. He likes to watch cartoons on TV. When asked what he would do if money was not an object, he said he would have a house and a car. When asked how he reacts when he’s upset with someone, he wisely told us he doesn’t speak with them until he has calmed down. When asked to describe his ideal family, he said he would like a large family. Clearly a family is what this boy needs – before he turns 14 years old and becomes ineligible for international adoption and it is too late for him, forever. He still remembers what it was like to be part of a family and wants to be part of a family again soon.

There is a $4000 Promise Child grant for eligible families for this adoption and a possible additional fee reduction. Please contact a Family Finders Case Manager for more information. His ID is MX.0596.16737.01.WACAP is a non-profit adoption agency (www.wacap.org). Please email FamilyFinders@wacap.org or 1-800-732-1887.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Family Needed


This little boy is 8 years old. He was adopted from Haiti 3 years ago. He is now in need of a new family. His current family has tried everything under the sun to help him. Please check their blog to learn more about the situation. Even if you are not the right family for this child, please consider spreading the word about his situation to help find the right family for him.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Educational Resources for PAPs

How did you educate yourself prior to bringing home your older children?

What books did you read? What were your favorites?

What websites did you visit?

Which educational resources were the most and least helpful in preparing for you older child?

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Grief

How does/did your newly adopted older child express their grief? How has this changed over time in your family? How do you manage (if necessary) the grief episodes?

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Sleep

Did you older child have any sleep issues when they came home? How did you deal with them?

Monday, July 13, 2009

What was the easiest part of your transition?

What was the easiest part of your transition with your newly adopted older child? Did this surprise you? What do you think made this transition easy (or at least easier than other transition issues)?

Saturday, July 4, 2009

What was the hardest part of your transition?

Please share the hardest part of your transition when your older child came home.