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26
Feb

When Transracial Families Are Accused of Kidnapping

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in MLJ Adoptions
Transracial families don’t "match" which can draw looks, questions, and accusations. Because adoption is something that touches many people in different ways (a survey done in 1997 found 58% knew someone personally who was adopted, has adopted a child, or is a birth parent), most of the time the questions are well intention even if ...
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19
Feb

Learning More About the Visa Process for Samoa

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in Samoa
An integral part of an international adoption is obtaining the orphan visa that allows a child to enter the United States. Whether you are adopting internationally from Samoa, Congo, Bulgaria, one of MLJ’s other programs, each child must have an orphan visa to enter the US. Processing and approving the orphan visa is the responsibility ...
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16
Feb

Celebrating African Culture and Adoption

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in Congo, MLJ Adoptions
About ten years ago, the landscape of international adoption began to change. Countries like China and Russia, who had been involved with international adoption for a long time, became harder to adopt from. Publicity about famine and the AIDS epidemic in Africa created new interest in the West. African orphans started coming home to interracial ...
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15
Feb

Spanking – the Real Lesson it Teaches

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in MLJ Adoptions
Corporal punishment is a widely accepted practice in the United States. Up to 90% of parents report using it with their children. A recent article appeared on Monday, February 6, in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. The article summarizes the analysis of two decades of research on the long-term effects of physical punishment. The article’s ...
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14
Feb

Creating Valentine’s Day Traditions

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in Resources
Today is Valentine’s Day and I have been thinking about ways that I can make this year special for my kids by creating new traditions. I am constantly trying to find new ways to show my husband and children that I love them and Valentine’s Day provides a perfect opportunity for me to express my ...
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13
Feb

Russia Calls to Halt Adoption to U.S.

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in MLJ Adoptions
Over the weekend, USA TODAY sent out an alert that Russia is once again calling for suspension of adoptions to U.S. parents. Once again families that are in the adoption process are left searching for possible alternatives. In the alert it was announced that there may be a temporary ban until an agreement can be ...
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9
Feb

Celebrating Africa Party

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in Congo
MLJ Adoption invites You!! What: Celebrating Africa Party When: March 3, 2012, 3pm-7pm Where: Arch at Chatham 617 E. North Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 RSVP: Stacy Join adoptive families & foreign staff from DR Congo to Celebrate Africa! Food, Dance, and Music for the whole family! Please bring a side dish (African cuisine encouraged!)
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7
Feb

Bulgaria Bucks International Adoption Trends

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in Bulgaria, MLJ Adoptions
The number of international adoptions taking place has fallen dramatically over the past few years. Thousands of children are languishing in orphanages in countries around the world not necessarily because no one wants to adopt them but because of bureacratic red tape. Many countries such as Ethiopia, Russia and China are making it harder for ...
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6
Feb

Kisses from Katie: A Book Review

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in Resources
Wow! That’s the first thing I thought when I finished reading Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption. I started reading the book on a Friday evening and could not put it down for the remainder of the weekend – I had to finish it. The message really hit me the next ...
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3
Feb

When Will Vietnam Ever Open to Adoption?

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in MLJ Adoptions
When will Vietnam finally re-open for international adoption? As of February 2012, the answer to this question is “not yet.” The United States had been waiting for Vietnam to become a party to the Hague Convention in order to hopefully resume adoptions. Vietnam finally became a party to the Convention on February 1, 2012; however, ...
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2
Feb

Super Bowl Brings NFL Adoption Stories to Indy

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in MLJ Adoptions
Although the Indianapolis Colts were not even contenders in the run for the Super Bowl this year, Indianapolis residents watched the playoffs closely to see which teams might arrive in our city for the biggest football game of the year. No doubt, many of you were tuned in when the Baltimore Ravens missed a field ...
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26
Jan

Six Strategies For Building Attachment

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in Resources
Healthy attachment is crucial for children to be able to grow into adults that can successfully navigate their world. Healthy attachment allows for appropriate trust, self control and problem solving skills. Attachment theories provide that all babies have needs and they each provide signs to their caretaker regarding what those needs are. When the need ...
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25
Jan

The Benefits of Foster Care in Congo

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in Congo
Two months ago we welcomed home three children we adopted from Democratic Republic of Congo, a three year old boy and two girls, ages eight and ten. Already with a two year old at home, we became a family of six! Their first week home, I gave the girls the photos Sonja had sent us ...
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24
Jan

Adoption Traditions: The Farm

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in MLJ Adoptions
Traditions are an important part of any child’s life. Not only do traditions help create family and friendship bonds, they also provide stability and a sense of identity. In November, we spent the afternoon at a friend’s farm. For our son, this annual trip to the farm is more than just a fun fall activity; ...
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23
Jan

Can I Adopt If I Have Been Arrested?

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in Support Services
An arrest record or prior criminal charge may not completely disqualify an applicant to become an adoptive parent. Each situation must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and it is very important that all criminal issues be fully disclosed to the home study coordinator and documented in a home study as well as other adoption ...
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20
Jan

Chinese New Year: The Year of the Dragon

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in MLJ Adoptions
Xin Nián Kuài Lè – Happy New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cái – Congratulations and Prosperity! The above are the common well wishes you hear and are exchanged among those celebrating the Chinese New Year. The Year of the Dragon arrives on January 23rd and will last for fifteen days. This year we celebrate the ...
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