Lots of people have questions about adoption and Ethiopia. I hope that this blog has some helpful information on it. I set out to fill in gaps I had when we were adopting. There was so little out there at the time. Only 2 short years later there is soooo much more. So, this blog has a bunch of really useful posts. I think they are useful and I have had feedback that it is useful, so hoping that you who are finding this for the first time will also think it is useful. :)
I have answered a bunch of questions regarding: choosing an agency, older kid vs. baby, attachment, travel, language/commnication, all that paperwork once you get back home (yes, there is still paperwork), books to read, resources on line, where to stay, etc..... well here is a great post from a blog I enjoy reading with the answers to some of the most common questions people ask. Go check it out!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Grief talk and links
Well, I have posted a bit on attachment but not so much on grief. This is a really important step for all adopted children. Home at birth, home at 8 months, home at 18 month, age 5 or 10 or 14, they all will grieve, they have all lost. Grieving is part of loving what you have gained. The loss brought you the gain, that can be a source of anger, and eventually when the grief is embraced and subsides then the love can come. With the power of grief, it is hard to feel and accept the love. So, let them grieve, grieve the loss with them. Then celebrate the gain, the family, the love, the life. Of course you cover grief in the parent classes you have to take prior to adoption. But, then when it really hits, wow. Sometimes you forget all you read or learned momentarily, then it comes back and off you go on the journey of a life time. Sometimes you have the experience of your own grief to go back to and relate with your child on, and understand their hard emotions. It is always good to have more resources and more encouragement from others along the same sort of path. I love this blog post relating grief to carrying a sleeping bag. Go read it.
I recently re-read one of my favorite books on grief. I read it to the boys. While it is great for all ages, I would say that the meaning behind the soup needs explanation to a child still in the concrete phase of thinking. Tear Soup. I love this book and feel that it is truly one of the best all around books on dealing with grief. So weather you are dealing with a sleeping bag or a bowl of soup. Weather it is a child suffering the losses associated with adoption, another family member grieving a death, a hardship, a loss of anykind...... here is the book that I think of as the book of all books on grief. See it on Amazon.
Their description:
And this is from our library:
Tear soup : a recipe for healing after loss
Schwiebert, Pat.
Other articles on grief and the adopted child.
Adoption.com Grief and Loss in Adopted Children second article
Families.com Raising and Adopted Child
fairfamilies.org Adaptive Grieving - Natural for Adopted Child
Suite101.com Grief and Loss in Adopted Children
About.com has some great links to grief issues - Understanding Grief and Loss - 8 ways to help a child grieve - Understanding a child's yearly struggles with grief -
Article by Sherri Eldridge on Rainbow Kids
Impact of Adoption on Adopted Persons, this is not a stellar article but it has some really good points.
Well, there you go, some basics to start with. Grief is natural and should not be feared or avoided. Help your little one to see that it is ok to feel this way and teach them how to show it and share it in positive ways.
I recently re-read one of my favorite books on grief. I read it to the boys. While it is great for all ages, I would say that the meaning behind the soup needs explanation to a child still in the concrete phase of thinking. Tear Soup. I love this book and feel that it is truly one of the best all around books on dealing with grief. So weather you are dealing with a sleeping bag or a bowl of soup. Weather it is a child suffering the losses associated with adoption, another family member grieving a death, a hardship, a loss of anykind...... here is the book that I think of as the book of all books on grief. See it on Amazon.
Their description:
Product Description
If you are going to buy only one book on grief, this is the one to get! It will validate your grief experience, and you can share it with your children. You can leave it on the coffee table so others will pick it up, read it, and then better appreciate your grieving time. Grand's Cooking Tips section at the back of the book is rich with wisdom and concrete recommendations. Better than a casserole!And this is from our library:
Tear soup : a recipe for healing after loss
Schwiebert, Pat.
Summary
In this modern-day fable, a woman who has suffered a terrible loss cooks up a special batch of "tear soup," blending the unique ingredients of her life into the grief process. Along the way she dispenses a recipe of sound advice for people who are in mourning. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.
Other articles on grief and the adopted child.
Adoption.com Grief and Loss in Adopted Children second article
Families.com Raising and Adopted Child
fairfamilies.org Adaptive Grieving - Natural for Adopted Child
Suite101.com Grief and Loss in Adopted Children
About.com has some great links to grief issues - Understanding Grief and Loss - 8 ways to help a child grieve - Understanding a child's yearly struggles with grief -
Article by Sherri Eldridge on Rainbow Kids
Impact of Adoption on Adopted Persons, this is not a stellar article but it has some really good points.
Children's Grief reactions to the death of a loved one
Helping Children through grief
Understanding Children's Grief
Grief Can Last a Lifetime
Grief and Loss for Adopted Children
Several more articles on grief and loss for children
Helping Children through grief
Understanding Children's Grief
Grief Can Last a Lifetime
Grief and Loss for Adopted Children
Several more articles on grief and loss for children
Haiti Hub cross global link, connecting help for Haiti
Just got this in from a former co worker when we used to live and work in Bolivia. This is a web site connecting those who are providing assistance and those who need assistance for the crisis in Haiti. Eldon is a great guy and very trustworthy, this site is legit and word needs to be spread about it so that it can help ease the confusion with services and those needing help. Please share this anywhere and everywhere.Click here for the link Haiti Hub
I can see that this is not posting clearly. Sorry, I don't know what to do about that, but am going to leave it as a visual, go to the web site link I make and it will all be there more clearly.
Jill
I can see that this is not posting clearly. Sorry, I don't know what to do about that, but am going to leave it as a visual, go to the web site link I make and it will all be there more clearly.
Jill
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Monday, January 18, 2010
more doll deals
Baby Cuddles is an African American baby doll made by Madame Alexander. This is a great doll for a first doll. Soft and durable. Right now The Doll Market is offering her for 19.96. Click on Baby Cuddles for the link.
Also by Madame Alexander is My First Baby, also available at The Doll Market (African American) for 12.97
I am going to link all the African American dolls by Lee Middleton that I think are a great buy for KIDS currently listed as end of season clearance at The Doll Market.
Hailey by Lee Middleton for only $25!!!! WOW
Made With Love Lee Middleton for $89.99, ordinarily $175
There are three or four cute Asian babies by Lee Middleton too if that interests your family.
Wal-Mart is clearancing the line of 18" dolls by Madame Alexander. They are now $12.98. These are great dolls. They are the same size as American Girl dolls. We now have four of these and one of an earlier model, the one Toys R Us is selling. I like the faces on the Wa-lMart dolls much much better. Ok, you get you one and one for your daughter and one for her friend and your niece and......... :) As far as I know you can only buy them IN store.
Also by Madame Alexander is My First Baby, also available at The Doll Market (African American) for 12.97
I am going to link all the African American dolls by Lee Middleton that I think are a great buy for KIDS currently listed as end of season clearance at The Doll Market.
Hailey by Lee Middleton for only $25!!!! WOW
Made With Love Lee Middleton for $89.99, ordinarily $175
There are three or four cute Asian babies by Lee Middleton too if that interests your family.
Wal-Mart is clearancing the line of 18" dolls by Madame Alexander. They are now $12.98. These are great dolls. They are the same size as American Girl dolls. We now have four of these and one of an earlier model, the one Toys R Us is selling. I like the faces on the Wa-lMart dolls much much better. Ok, you get you one and one for your daughter and one for her friend and your niece and......... :) As far as I know you can only buy them IN store.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Funny things kids say and a few photos
So, I think the boys are understanding English pretty well these days. Then funny things happen. It is the small underlying meanings, double meanings and descriptive words that get them. I tend to just speak adult talk to the kids and find that I am having to define words left and right. The boys have both used rather large complicated words in sentences, sometime correctly other times comically.
A small occurrence in the grocery store. I sent K over to get a "bunch of bananas". Ok, we all know a bunch means one clump all stuck together. He brought two and was trying to get a third. He picked the largest "bunches" as well. He came back and I told him such a good job helping mommy. He said, well you said to get a bunch. He thought I meant a lot of bananas. I am pretty sure my girls would have understood a bunch as one clump at age 5. Funny and cute. Of course we bought both bunches. :) They'll eat them.
In the car on the way home N randomly commented that he was not planning on "getting" any kids when he grows up. K was obviously startled and exclaimed that children are wonderful and he wants lots. I asked how many is lots (you know the "bunch" thing had just happened). He said "three, no six would be good." Then he counted out six on his fingers and said "no three more, that is nine. Nine kids that's how many!" How does he do that? He can't do math at home, but in the car he is a wiz. Then he went on with how he would buy them food and clothes and beds and they would all live in his house and he would bring them to visit me every time he came. I said," you better. I want to love all my grand-babies." We laughed. Then I said to N "it's ok if you don't want kids but Mommy is just wondering why you feel that way?" He says, "well, i don't really feel like going on an airplane when I get big." :) I said, not all kids come on airplanes and explained the various ways to adopt and have kids. He brightened up and said, "no I don't want kids, I want babies. And I don't want them to grow up. Maybe I will get a wife and then she will get a baby and then we can have just one of those and it will stay a baby." ...............Ok. He's four, I am sure he will change his mind later.
Despite telling them their stories, N still thinks he started to exist at age 3 when he came home to us. He is starting to relate the earlier parts of his life from my telling him, but he has virtually no memory of it. K on the other hand has lots of memory, much of which he still dreams about and comes to me so very sad in the night, but he can not or will not share it. The boys both love their life books and look at them nearly daily.
A small occurrence in the grocery store. I sent K over to get a "bunch of bananas". Ok, we all know a bunch means one clump all stuck together. He brought two and was trying to get a third. He picked the largest "bunches" as well. He came back and I told him such a good job helping mommy. He said, well you said to get a bunch. He thought I meant a lot of bananas. I am pretty sure my girls would have understood a bunch as one clump at age 5. Funny and cute. Of course we bought both bunches. :) They'll eat them.
In the car on the way home N randomly commented that he was not planning on "getting" any kids when he grows up. K was obviously startled and exclaimed that children are wonderful and he wants lots. I asked how many is lots (you know the "bunch" thing had just happened). He said "three, no six would be good." Then he counted out six on his fingers and said "no three more, that is nine. Nine kids that's how many!" How does he do that? He can't do math at home, but in the car he is a wiz. Then he went on with how he would buy them food and clothes and beds and they would all live in his house and he would bring them to visit me every time he came. I said," you better. I want to love all my grand-babies." We laughed. Then I said to N "it's ok if you don't want kids but Mommy is just wondering why you feel that way?" He says, "well, i don't really feel like going on an airplane when I get big." :) I said, not all kids come on airplanes and explained the various ways to adopt and have kids. He brightened up and said, "no I don't want kids, I want babies. And I don't want them to grow up. Maybe I will get a wife and then she will get a baby and then we can have just one of those and it will stay a baby." ...............Ok. He's four, I am sure he will change his mind later.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Meal tickets you can buy and give in Addis Ababa
This is a wonderful resource for those of you traveling to Ethiopia. When we were there we heard of this but could not figure out where it was. So, here is the info if you are interested. I am modifying some information I learned about from others.
A ministry called Hope Enterprises sells meal tickets (eight for 4 Birr) that you can give to needy children/adults. This is a great thing as there are so many begging and you wish to do something that will truly help. It is on 155 Churchill Rd. The phone # is +251-11-1553102, and are open 8-12, 1-5 M-Sat
Here is there website: Hope Enterprises
A caution that others have noted, is to be sure to hand them out in the Churchill area. In other areas, the people aren't often familiar with the Hope program, or it just may be too far/costly to travel across Addis. If you find yourself with a lot of tickets left over at the end of your trip, take them to the Ethiopia Guest Home and leave them for Peter Abera. He will use them for his ministry in Kechene -these people will walk for a hot meal!
Ok, hope that is helpful for those of you getting ready to travel. And thanks to the ladies who posted this really helpful information!
Jill
A ministry called Hope Enterprises sells meal tickets (eight for 4 Birr) that you can give to needy children/adults. This is a great thing as there are so many begging and you wish to do something that will truly help. It is on 155 Churchill Rd. The phone # is +251-11-1553102, and are open 8-12, 1-5 M-Sat
Here is there website: Hope Enterprises
A caution that others have noted, is to be sure to hand them out in the Churchill area. In other areas, the people aren't often familiar with the Hope program, or it just may be too far/costly to travel across Addis. If you find yourself with a lot of tickets left over at the end of your trip, take them to the Ethiopia Guest Home and leave them for Peter Abera. He will use them for his ministry in Kechene -these people will walk for a hot meal!
Ok, hope that is helpful for those of you getting ready to travel. And thanks to the ladies who posted this really helpful information!
Jill
Friday, January 8, 2010
Life Books
Life Books
A daunting task for most, me included. Sometimes due to the ambiguous nature of the story to tell, sometimes lack of information, saddness, time, sometimes it is the intimidation of scrapbooking. Well, there is NO right way to do a life book for your child. The thing is to get something into their hands. Polished or not, they will know the love.
I have finished two digital life books for my boys. I am making a template of each available in case you want to fill in something that is pretty easy. Or you can just take a look to get ideas for making one on your own. One highlights the Amhara culture (also has page on home births), the other the Tigray culture (also has page for birth hospital information). The pages are interchangeable and you may want to look at both. They do have a distinctly Christian theme. All of the pictures are just from free online sources and the script in many places is cut and paste from travel sites and Wikipedia, etc... I like the digital idea because it can be recreated if needed. It can be expanded and changed if need be. I put it in a digital scrapbook book with plastic pages/top insert, which I bought at Jo-Ann's craft store. For the front and back cover you can get the front and back pages printed on huge sticker sheets and stick them on. :) You can access the PDF files below. I am working on a Publisher or Word file that can be downloaded as well.
When You Were Born in Ethiopia, Amhara culture version PDF
When You Were Born in Ethiopia, Amhara culture version Publisher-not yet up
When You Were Born in Ethiopia, Tigray culture version PDF
When You Were Born in Ethiopia, Tigray culture version Publisher-not yet up
To fill out the pages if you don't really know what to put on them, I suggest the following book.
Before You Were Mine Discovering your adopted child's life story by Susan TeBos and Carissa Woodwyk
This is an awesome book and it will guide you through putting together a life book for your child. It is often hard to come up with something for a child you have no information on. This book has good ideas for extrapolating and guessing at circumstances and such from what you do have. Of course you want to tell your child that it is a guess when it is and fact when it is. This book is from a Christian perspective and gives lots of verses and ideas for pulling it all together for your child with the love and care of God for him or her as central theme. I like that.
If you are not too interested in a Christian theme there are many other options.
I hear this one is really good too, although I have not read it. I think she is one of the forefront authors on this topic and many other books quote her, including the above book.
Life Books: creating a treasure for your adopted child by Beth O'Malley
Have fun creating a treasure of memory for your child.
A daunting task for most, me included. Sometimes due to the ambiguous nature of the story to tell, sometimes lack of information, saddness, time, sometimes it is the intimidation of scrapbooking. Well, there is NO right way to do a life book for your child. The thing is to get something into their hands. Polished or not, they will know the love.
I have finished two digital life books for my boys. I am making a template of each available in case you want to fill in something that is pretty easy. Or you can just take a look to get ideas for making one on your own. One highlights the Amhara culture (also has page on home births), the other the Tigray culture (also has page for birth hospital information). The pages are interchangeable and you may want to look at both. They do have a distinctly Christian theme. All of the pictures are just from free online sources and the script in many places is cut and paste from travel sites and Wikipedia, etc... I like the digital idea because it can be recreated if needed. It can be expanded and changed if need be. I put it in a digital scrapbook book with plastic pages/top insert, which I bought at Jo-Ann's craft store. For the front and back cover you can get the front and back pages printed on huge sticker sheets and stick them on. :) You can access the PDF files below. I am working on a Publisher or Word file that can be downloaded as well.
When You Were Born in Ethiopia, Amhara culture version PDF
When You Were Born in Ethiopia, Amhara culture version Publisher-not yet up
When You Were Born in Ethiopia, Tigray culture version PDF
When You Were Born in Ethiopia, Tigray culture version Publisher-not yet up
To fill out the pages if you don't really know what to put on them, I suggest the following book.
Before You Were Mine Discovering your adopted child's life story by Susan TeBos and Carissa Woodwyk
This is an awesome book and it will guide you through putting together a life book for your child. It is often hard to come up with something for a child you have no information on. This book has good ideas for extrapolating and guessing at circumstances and such from what you do have. Of course you want to tell your child that it is a guess when it is and fact when it is. This book is from a Christian perspective and gives lots of verses and ideas for pulling it all together for your child with the love and care of God for him or her as central theme. I like that.
If you are not too interested in a Christian theme there are many other options.
I hear this one is really good too, although I have not read it. I think she is one of the forefront authors on this topic and many other books quote her, including the above book.
Life Books: creating a treasure for your adopted child by Beth O'Malley
Have fun creating a treasure of memory for your child.
Where to stay/ Guest Houses
There are so many places to stay when you are in Ethiopia. If your agency is urging you to stay at a guest house rather than a hotel then your options are even greater.
We stayed at the New Flower Guest House and would recommend that to anyone.
A year and a half later there are sooooo many more options. Some of the web sites that I have looked at after others have stayed there and loved it are following:
Here is our recommendation post for New Flower. Recommendation for Yebsabi from a friend of ours.
Yebsabi
Yeka
Ethiopian Guest House
New Flower Guest House
Addis Guest House
Dimitri Hotel
Addis View Hotel
The Union Hotel (Holt uses this hotel, but there is no web site, just some blogs)
Bole Ambassador Hotel
Oziopia Guest House I think this would be a wonderful place to stay, It was our first pick, but they were moving house when we needed to be there..... so, if anyone has stayed here please write us a review! I would love to go back and try out this one.
List of Adoption Friendly Guest houses on Ethiopian Hotel site, not that I know a lot about most of these, but it is a place to start.
A list of hotels and information to compare
What about this one Ayat House
What about Bole Rock Hotel??? I hear it has a natural spring swimming pool and suites. Sounds nice, is it?
I know it is a short list..... if you have stayed at another one and would like me to add it that would be great. I would also like to have your recommendation for any of these if you have stayed there. A paragraph on your experience would be great. Just post in the comments for this post. Or send it to me via email and I will post it as a separate post and link it here. jillanddave@yahoo.com Thanks! If you are looking for recommendations you must check the comments as people are leaving their experience stories there. :)
We stayed at the New Flower Guest House and would recommend that to anyone.
A year and a half later there are sooooo many more options. Some of the web sites that I have looked at after others have stayed there and loved it are following:
Here is our recommendation post for New Flower. Recommendation for Yebsabi from a friend of ours.
Yebsabi
Yeka
Ethiopian Guest House
New Flower Guest House
Addis Guest House
Dimitri Hotel
Addis View Hotel
The Union Hotel (Holt uses this hotel, but there is no web site, just some blogs)
Bole Ambassador Hotel
Oziopia Guest House I think this would be a wonderful place to stay, It was our first pick, but they were moving house when we needed to be there..... so, if anyone has stayed here please write us a review! I would love to go back and try out this one.
List of Adoption Friendly Guest houses on Ethiopian Hotel site, not that I know a lot about most of these, but it is a place to start.
A list of hotels and information to compare
What about this one Ayat House
What about Bole Rock Hotel??? I hear it has a natural spring swimming pool and suites. Sounds nice, is it?
I know it is a short list..... if you have stayed at another one and would like me to add it that would be great. I would also like to have your recommendation for any of these if you have stayed there. A paragraph on your experience would be great. Just post in the comments for this post. Or send it to me via email and I will post it as a separate post and link it here. jillanddave@yahoo.com Thanks! If you are looking for recommendations you must check the comments as people are leaving their experience stories there. :)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Ethiopian food
Interested in making some Ethiopian food? Some of it is hard and others are not so hard. Many cities have a market and some restaurants are willing to sell spices and "take out" Injera. Just ask. None here in Colorado Springs though. :( Here are some other resources for you to check out.
My boys did not like Berebere. Ok, that is weird most have told me, but they did not and not only that but pepper was too spicy as was salsa and onion and garlic...... go figure! They got my genes after all, how that happened only God knows. Ok, now that they have been here a while and figured out that Daddy likes hot stuff, they are more likely to at least try it. Like it, well, that is anyone's guess on any given day or hour of the day. They are preschoolers, what should I expect. But, I do know that they ate pasta and soup in Ethiopia and they LOVE that. Of course Injera and a variety of not so spicy dishes continue to be the top favorites. They also love eggs. Beef has been hard to get used to and they generally don't like it. So, here are some sites to entice you to try out some yummy Ethiopian food and maybe embolden you to at least try to make a few dishes occasionally. I like the ones that tell about food and eating too. Very informative. I put some photos at the end so you can see what this looks like. Yes, you eat with your hands. Oh, I have to stop this post now. It is making my mouth water!!! Good thing we are going to Denver this Sunday for church (Addis Kiddan) and lunch at Habesha. Our way of celebrating a combined Genna and Timket.
some recipe selections are available here All recipes.com
This site has a restaurant guide as well as history about food and celebrations and a selection of recipes. Ethiopian restaurant.com
about Ethiopian food
recipes and about food in Ethiopia
African cooking and recipes, has a section on Ethiopia
Ethiopian recipes
Ethiopian food
How to cook Ethiopian food, has lots of links
Cooking around the world, is an archological site devoted to food. It has lots of links for Ethiopian food.
Global Gourmet
eLook has some recipes listed here too.
astray recipes
recipezaar has about 80 different ones for you to try out.
How to make Injera
Recipe source has about 36 varieties
Tektonic Palates
My boys did not like Berebere. Ok, that is weird most have told me, but they did not and not only that but pepper was too spicy as was salsa and onion and garlic...... go figure! They got my genes after all, how that happened only God knows. Ok, now that they have been here a while and figured out that Daddy likes hot stuff, they are more likely to at least try it. Like it, well, that is anyone's guess on any given day or hour of the day. They are preschoolers, what should I expect. But, I do know that they ate pasta and soup in Ethiopia and they LOVE that. Of course Injera and a variety of not so spicy dishes continue to be the top favorites. They also love eggs. Beef has been hard to get used to and they generally don't like it. So, here are some sites to entice you to try out some yummy Ethiopian food and maybe embolden you to at least try to make a few dishes occasionally. I like the ones that tell about food and eating too. Very informative. I put some photos at the end so you can see what this looks like. Yes, you eat with your hands. Oh, I have to stop this post now. It is making my mouth water!!! Good thing we are going to Denver this Sunday for church (Addis Kiddan) and lunch at Habesha. Our way of celebrating a combined Genna and Timket.
some recipe selections are available here All recipes.com
This site has a restaurant guide as well as history about food and celebrations and a selection of recipes. Ethiopian restaurant.com
about Ethiopian food
recipes and about food in Ethiopia
African cooking and recipes, has a section on Ethiopia
Ethiopian recipes
Ethiopian food
How to cook Ethiopian food, has lots of links
Cooking around the world, is an archological site devoted to food. It has lots of links for Ethiopian food.
Global Gourmet
eLook has some recipes listed here too.
astray recipes
recipezaar has about 80 different ones for you to try out.
How to make Injera
Recipe source has about 36 varieties
Tektonic Palates
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Attachment and Bonding
Attachment is a real issue. It is as real for infants and toddlers as it is for older kids. There is so much information out there there is no reason to not arm yourself with information, tactics, strategies and ideas so that you have a warehouse of information when you get your child home at long last. You will know what to look for and what to do to help him or her and yourself. This is by no means an exhaustive list, nor even a really very good one. But, it is what I have found to be helpful for us and what I have posted on this blog. Happy bonding!
Here I will post some of my posts and links on attachment, as a matter of consolidation for those of you searching:
I am not going to advocate for any certain style of attachment therapy. I don't know anything about it. I am just listing resources that have been helpful for us. :)
Attachment:
Attachment Disorder Nancy Thomas Parenting Attachment.org Reactive Attachment Disorder
"Attaching in Adoption" by Deborah Gray
This is an important topic. Read all you can while you are waiting for your child referral and court date.
From a post on book recommendations:
Adoption and race for parents:
Toddler adoption the weaver's craft by Hopkins-Best
Taming the tiger while it is still a kitten by Nancy Thomas (the book is not particularly focused on Christians but I hear she is a Christian) I found this book to be a complimentary (to the Deborah Gray's book) list of attachment signs to look for and practical ideas for attachment. It is more of a booklet. I do not know anything about her particular theory's as this book does not address that.
Attaching in adoption by Deborah Grey
I'm chocolate you're vanilla by Marguerite A. Wright
Before You were mine (on making a Christian life book)*
Twenty Things Adopted Kids wish their parents knew by Sherrie Eldridge
Family Helper web site has a great list of on line resources, book resources and where to look for a therapist.
Other posts on this topic:
What to do while you wait for court date or referral
Older child adoption
Adoption is Forever, a blog to share your attachment stories and ideas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attachment_theory
http://www.ehow.com/attachment-and-adoption/
Resources for Adoption Paperwork Site Links
Resources for Adoption Paperwork:
Adoption Home Study Resources - 1-800-HomeStudy
Adoption Tax Credit - How to Claim the Adoption Credit
Colorado Bureau of Investigation
i-600instr.pdf (application-pdf Object)
Immigration Offices and Procedures in Colorado
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - Office Locator Office Detail
USCIS Home Page
ChildCitizenshipAct_022701.pdf (application-pdf Object)
Resources for Paperwork after you are home:
PostAdoptPaperwork.pdf (application-pdf Object)
Child Citizenship Act Program Update
USCIS Home Page
Special Requirements for Children Under Age 16
Application for a Social Security Card
New Rules For Getting A Social Security Number And Card
Colorado State Judicial Branch - Self Help - Forms
also check out this post.
Adoption Home Study Resources - 1-800-HomeStudy
Adoption Tax Credit - How to Claim the Adoption Credit
Colorado Bureau of Investigation
i-600instr.pdf (application-pdf Object)
Immigration Offices and Procedures in Colorado
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - Office Locator Office Detail
USCIS Home Page
ChildCitizenshipAct_022701.pdf (application-pdf Object)
Resources for Paperwork after you are home:
PostAdoptPaperwork.pdf (application-pdf Object)
Child Citizenship Act Program Update
USCIS Home Page
Special Requirements for Children Under Age 16
Application for a Social Security Card
New Rules For Getting A Social Security Number And Card
Colorado State Judicial Branch - Self Help - Forms
also check out this post.
travel to Ethiopia --site links
Travel information:
http://ethiopiaguesthome.com/index.php?id=2 Ethiopia Guest House
Addis Ababa Local Customs Tips by DAO - VirtualTourist.com
Addis Kidan Guest House, Addis Ababa Ethiopia on Vimeo
Addiskidan Baptist Guest House
Beza International Church where we worshiped while we were in Addis Ababa
Immunizations, Health and Environment, El Paso County, CO
International Traveler’s Health Service at University of Colorado Hospital - University of Colorado Hospital
Port Angeles, WA - Welcome to Susan Parr Travel Agency Travel Agency Extraordinaire!!! Who we used and liked.
New Flower Guest House, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Guest House Extraordinaire!! Where we stayed
Passport Health Colorado, Denver Travel Shots, Colorado Immunization Services, Boulder Vaccinations, Malaria, Typhoid, Yellow Fever Vaccine, Travel Medicine, Global Travel Health
Center for Disease Control
Other posts:
Expectations
Arriving
Traveling through Frankfurt Germany
New Flower
Other ideas on places to stay
Packing list
What to do and see and shopping tips For shopping.... IF you are a woman going alone and you do not feel up to going out alone or can not find a reliable driver to take you and barter for you...... Get a driver to take you to the Haile Selasse Market. It is a one stop shopping experience under one roof. It is fixed price and very reasonable. They have linens, clothing, books, baskets, carved animals, wool animals, flags, post cards, crosses, jewelry, etc.....
HOPE Enterprises, meal tickets to buy and give to beggars and others in need. Post with link to web site.
http://ethiopiaguesthome.com/index.php?id=2 Ethiopia Guest House
Addis Ababa Local Customs Tips by DAO - VirtualTourist.com
Addis Kidan Guest House, Addis Ababa Ethiopia on Vimeo
Addiskidan Baptist Guest House
Beza International Church where we worshiped while we were in Addis Ababa
Immunizations, Health and Environment, El Paso County, CO
International Traveler’s Health Service at University of Colorado Hospital - University of Colorado Hospital
Port Angeles, WA - Welcome to Susan Parr Travel Agency Travel Agency Extraordinaire!!! Who we used and liked.
New Flower Guest House, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Guest House Extraordinaire!! Where we stayed
Passport Health Colorado, Denver Travel Shots, Colorado Immunization Services, Boulder Vaccinations, Malaria, Typhoid, Yellow Fever Vaccine, Travel Medicine, Global Travel Health
Center for Disease Control
Other posts:
Expectations
Arriving
Traveling through Frankfurt Germany
New Flower
Other ideas on places to stay
Packing list
What to do and see and shopping tips For shopping.... IF you are a woman going alone and you do not feel up to going out alone or can not find a reliable driver to take you and barter for you...... Get a driver to take you to the Haile Selasse Market. It is a one stop shopping experience under one roof. It is fixed price and very reasonable. They have linens, clothing, books, baskets, carved animals, wool animals, flags, post cards, crosses, jewelry, etc.....
HOPE Enterprises, meal tickets to buy and give to beggars and others in need. Post with link to web site.
Site links for Ethiopian Heritage and History
Resources on Ethiopian heritage and history:
NOVA A Walk to Beautiful PBS
EAHCS Ethiopian American Historical and Cultural Society
EthiopianHistory.Com A history of Ethiopia
Imperial Ethiopia - Ethiopia's Religions
CIA - The World Factbook
Ethiopia
Ethiopia - History
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Home
circumcision female-Traditional Practices
Southern Ethiopia - Fascinating Tribal Cultures Photo Gallery by monique jansen at pbase.com
OneWorld Magazine - Ethiopia, The Lost Ark of the Covenant
The Tesfa Foundation The hope of a community is the mind of a child
Restaurant guide, this is a site for Ethiopian food, it has recipies and traditions, very informative, as well as helpful in finding a restaurant near you.
Resources for kids and families:
Welcome To The Colorado Heritage Camps, Inc.
AbshiroKids.com, kids info & gifts
Amharic Kids - Home, kids stuff
Ethiopian Kids Community Home, kids stuff
Ethiopian Kids Playground, kids stuff
KidMia - Instilling the Ethiopian Heritage in Ethiopian-American Children, kids stuff
More than 75 Culture Camps and Heritage Tours - Adoptive Families
Other posts:
100 Things
Birth
Hunger
a bunch of other posts
NOVA A Walk to Beautiful PBS
EAHCS Ethiopian American Historical and Cultural Society
EthiopianHistory.Com A history of Ethiopia
Imperial Ethiopia - Ethiopia's Religions
CIA - The World Factbook
Ethiopia
Ethiopia - History
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Home
circumcision female-Traditional Practices
Southern Ethiopia - Fascinating Tribal Cultures Photo Gallery by monique jansen at pbase.com
OneWorld Magazine - Ethiopia, The Lost Ark of the Covenant
The Tesfa Foundation The hope of a community is the mind of a child
Restaurant guide, this is a site for Ethiopian food, it has recipies and traditions, very informative, as well as helpful in finding a restaurant near you.
Resources for kids and families:
Welcome To The Colorado Heritage Camps, Inc.
AbshiroKids.com, kids info & gifts
Amharic Kids - Home, kids stuff
Ethiopian Kids Community Home, kids stuff
Ethiopian Kids Playground, kids stuff
KidMia - Instilling the Ethiopian Heritage in Ethiopian-American Children, kids stuff
More than 75 Culture Camps and Heritage Tours - Adoptive Families
Other posts:
100 Things
Birth
Hunger
a bunch of other posts
Site links for adoption resources
Other sites with good info and adoption resources/also sponsoring children:
Adoption Health and Medecine
Orphan Doctor
http://www.kingdomkidsadoption.org/
http://awop.org/
Ethiopian Children And Orphans' Association
MELISSA FAY GREENE'S UNOFFICIAL GUIDE TO ADOPTION IN GENERAL AND ETHIOPIAN ADOPTION IN PARTICULAR Informative site Ethiopia
My Ethiopian Name - A Bravenet.com Hosted Site
Sponsor a child from Ethiopia - Ethiopian Child Sponsorship
Welcome to The Ethiopian Children's Fund
Home Ethio-blended families
Adoption - Adoptive Families
AACASA Home, resource, names
Welcome To Simple Language for Adoptive Families!
Ethiopian Orphan Relief, Inc. Home
Adoption Country Specific Information
Adoption Resource Center of Connecticut - Welcome
Hope for Orphans
International Adoption Seminars - Commonwealth Adoptions International
Adoption Advocates International -very informative site
Adoption Today magazine
Coalition of Colorado Adoptive Families
Adoption Health and Medecine
Orphan Doctor
http://www.kingdomkidsadoption.org/
http://awop.org/
Ethiopian Children And Orphans' Association
MELISSA FAY GREENE'S UNOFFICIAL GUIDE TO ADOPTION IN GENERAL AND ETHIOPIAN ADOPTION IN PARTICULAR Informative site Ethiopia
My Ethiopian Name - A Bravenet.com Hosted Site
Sponsor a child from Ethiopia - Ethiopian Child Sponsorship
Welcome to The Ethiopian Children's Fund
Home Ethio-blended families
Adoption - Adoptive Families
AACASA Home, resource, names
Welcome To Simple Language for Adoptive Families!
Ethiopian Orphan Relief, Inc. Home
Adoption Country Specific Information
Adoption Resource Center of Connecticut - Welcome
Hope for Orphans
International Adoption Seminars - Commonwealth Adoptions International
Adoption Advocates International -very informative site
Adoption Today magazine
Coalition of Colorado Adoptive Families
Choosing an Agency
I am breaking up my original post of Ethiopian Adoption Resources so it is more easily searchable by content. So this is the first of a few.
(In deciding on an agency you must be very careful. I used to have a few agencies listed here that passed my inquisition and research mission. I have decided, that while MOST of them are still great, I will not post any agencies on this blog as recommended. So many have hidden stories and I can not uncover them all. There are others who do a great job of that. Please see the following sites and check out my other posts on choosing an agency.)
Check out the agency review web site and this site, adoption agency checklist for agency selection too. Also check the PEAR site (Parents for Ethical Adoption Reform) they have great info too.
Be sure to do a google search on any agency and the agency director/country coordinator's name(s) and the agency as well, and ask lots of questions. There is a yahoo group for the purpose of finding out about agencies, look into that too. I have posted a list of questions to ask on a few group sites. If you want my questions send me an email and I will send it to you. jillanddave@yahoo.com Decide what is important to you and use that as your guide. The most important thing to decide is if you feel comfortable with the level of ethics they have showed over the last 5 years. Be careful.
Other posts on this topic:
Other sites
Be careful
Questions to ask
(In deciding on an agency you must be very careful. I used to have a few agencies listed here that passed my inquisition and research mission. I have decided, that while MOST of them are still great, I will not post any agencies on this blog as recommended. So many have hidden stories and I can not uncover them all. There are others who do a great job of that. Please see the following sites and check out my other posts on choosing an agency.)
Check out the agency review web site and this site, adoption agency checklist for agency selection too. Also check the PEAR site (Parents for Ethical Adoption Reform) they have great info too.
Be sure to do a google search on any agency and the agency director/country coordinator's name(s) and the agency as well, and ask lots of questions. There is a yahoo group for the purpose of finding out about agencies, look into that too. I have posted a list of questions to ask on a few group sites. If you want my questions send me an email and I will send it to you. jillanddave@yahoo.com Decide what is important to you and use that as your guide. The most important thing to decide is if you feel comfortable with the level of ethics they have showed over the last 5 years. Be careful.
Other posts on this topic:
Other sites
Be careful
Questions to ask
Health Issues for Children Adopted from Ethiopia
Here is an excellent article on health issues for children adopted from Ethiopia. It is from the Orphan Doctor site.
If you are about to travel or have recently brought your child home, you should read this BEFORE your first Dr. visit. If you have already been to see the Dr. read it anyway, it will help the next time you go.
If you are in Colorado Springs, I would recommend ABC Pediatrics. They are very good, thorough and knowledgeble on these sorts of things. It was not until we went there (a year after getting home) that our son was successfully treated for Giardia with a new med that is really great. Medication information: it is 45 ml tinidazole 250 mg/5cc suspension meds. It is the kind that kids who have been resistant to the traditional flagil seem to respond to. It worked and we had two rounds of flagil, and two rounds of something else and one round of another. Right now I don't know what the other two were.
Your child may also have a small scar on the upper arm. That is from a BCG for Tuberculosis. Your Dr. here may not know what that is for.
Circumsision: Well if he isn't that is pretty common. Do as you like, but medically it is controversial if it is even necessary. Most adhere to it is not, but there are some good reasons it may be. I guess it deserves a good search.
If SHE is......... this is also common for older kids anyway. Here is a great link to help for that very sensitive issue. Full Circle
Denver Post
Other skin issues post
If you are about to travel or have recently brought your child home, you should read this BEFORE your first Dr. visit. If you have already been to see the Dr. read it anyway, it will help the next time you go.
If you are in Colorado Springs, I would recommend ABC Pediatrics. They are very good, thorough and knowledgeble on these sorts of things. It was not until we went there (a year after getting home) that our son was successfully treated for Giardia with a new med that is really great. Medication information: it is 45 ml tinidazole 250 mg/5cc suspension meds. It is the kind that kids who have been resistant to the traditional flagil seem to respond to. It worked and we had two rounds of flagil, and two rounds of something else and one round of another. Right now I don't know what the other two were.
Your child may also have a small scar on the upper arm. That is from a BCG for Tuberculosis. Your Dr. here may not know what that is for.
Circumsision: Well if he isn't that is pretty common. Do as you like, but medically it is controversial if it is even necessary. Most adhere to it is not, but there are some good reasons it may be. I guess it deserves a good search.
If SHE is......... this is also common for older kids anyway. Here is a great link to help for that very sensitive issue. Full Circle
Denver Post
Other skin issues post
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