Archive for December 19, 2012

Children of All Nations Adoption Blog: December 19, 2012

Happy Holidays CAN Families,

I love helping families at the beginning of their adoption journey.  There are many prospective adoptive parents who have done extensive research before calling (which is wonderful!), but it is always good to know current information on international adoption.  Sometimes, families have found adoption myths in their research, and I’d like to discuss some of those adoption myths for you:

MYTH #1: There are many siblings available.

–Sometimes families think sibling groups are available for adoption, especially young, healthy siblings.  This can happen, but it would be an extremely long wait if you were only open to adopting young, healthy siblings.  Many times, countries have siblings available that are different ages, older, or with special needs.

MYTH #2: The waiting child timeline is the same as a non-special needs (healthy) child timeline.

 –If you are open to waiting children (which can mean healthy older children, siblings, or younger kiddos with special needs), families could have a shorter wait time.  For example, the wait time in Bulgaria for a healthy 2 year old is currently estimated at 4-5 years once you submit your dossier.  If you are open to a waiting child, depending on your adoption desires, the wait could be between 1 ½-2 years after you submit your dossier.

MYTH #3: All older children will have attachment and bonding issues.

–It is also a myth to say that all older adopted children will have attachment and bonding issues.  I always suggest to families to look into different countries and programs to see the reasons why children are orphaned.  Each child’s story is different, and some older children could have recently been orphaned. Institutionalization is definitely something to think about when considering an older child for adoption, but not every child will have suffered from this.  You will have background information on your child at time of referral, so this may not even be an issue…but preparation for attachment and bonding is also key in your transition.

MYTH #4: All waiting children have severe special needs.

–No!  Not all waiting children have severe special needs.  Waiting Child programs can mean healthy, older children and sibling groups as well…sometimes even large sibling groups.  Waiting child programs can also include very minor or even minor correctable special needs kiddos.  I definitely suggest learning more about the waiting child program in the country you are interested in!

MYTH #5: We are too old to adopt.

–So many families think they are not eligible to adopt after the age of 50.  This is not true! Some countries do set an age restriction on the age of the child you can adopt and possibly only allow you to adopt through a waiting child program, but prospective adoptive parents do have adoption options after the age of 50!

If you ever have questions about adoption myths you may have heard, feel free to contact me anytime at Elizabeth@childrenofallnations.com or 512-323-9595 x3091

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager

Children of All Nations Adoption Blog: December 12, 2012

Hello CAN Families,

With the holidays (quickly) approaching, I wanted to share a couple of Christmas traditions some of our countries practice!

The Christmas tree has great importance in the celebration of Christmas in Haiti. TheHaitians cut pine branches to serve as Christmas trees, or they go to the market and get freshly cut trees brought from the mountains just a few days before Christmas. The trees are decorated with lights and bright ornaments. At the base of the Christmas tree they add a big nativity scene which occupies a large part of the living room. The nativity scene depicts the birth of baby Jesus in a cave manger, with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the three wise men, and sculptured stable animals. The realistic touch is given by the hay which is strewn around in the stable. An endearing tradition of Christmas in Haiti is that on Christmas Eve, the children place their cleaned up shoes filled with straw, on the porch or under the Christmas tree for Papa Noel (Santa Claus). Santa Claus removes the hay to fill up the shoes with presents. Christmas day is spent feasting, visiting friends and family and for small children playing with the new toys brought by Papa Noel.

Latvia is also closely associated with the Christmas tree, and some legends say it was in Riga that the first Christmas tree was decorated in front of the House of Blackheads on Town Hall Square in the beginning of the 16th century. Whether or not this is true makes no difference, because the tradition of decorating Christmas trees is alive and well in Latvia. One is erected every year in that legendary spot on the medieval square. Christmas trees in Latvia can be decorated in a variety of ways, but hanging Christmas ornaments made of natural materials like straw is one of the most traditional. The 500th anniversary of the Latvian Christmas tree was celebrated in 2010.

Have you thought about incorporating your child’s roots into the holidays?  Do you already do this?

Happy Holidays!

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager

Children of All Nations Adoption Blog: December 5, 2012

Happy Wednesday Families,

The holidays are just around the corner, and CAN loves hearing about your family’s holiday stories.  Do you remember what your first holiday was like with your little one?  Are you anxious to learn about the adoption process and have your first holiday as a complete family?!

One of our newer programs is domestic adoption.  I think many families are interested in a domestic adoption, but they might be scared of what that could mean.  Will the birth mother want an open adoption?  What is an open adoption?  What will the birth mother be like? Will the birth mother want the baby back?  How long is the wait?  CAN is wonderful at assessing the birth mother’s needs and commitment to adoption before matching with an adoptive family.  CAN also supports and counsels the birth mother and adoptive family through their entire journey.

Recently, I have been watching a series on domestic adoptions, and I think our families could learn from each adoption story they follow.  You can watch an episode of “The Baby Wait” here.

You can also learn more about CAN’s Domestic Program, right here.

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager

Children of All Nations Adoption Blog: November 28, 2012

Hello CAN Families,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I know I ate way too much, but I did enjoy spending time with my family.  Did anyone have new additions or traditions this year?

CAN has some new additions that we are truly excited to share.  Every month, we have new webinars for families researching adoption and for those families currently in process!  Everyone can benefit from attending and learning just a little more about the adoption world.  CAN will highlight specific regions in a webinar every other week, and we will also have webinars on topics like: “Adoption Myths and FAQs” or “Financial Assistance for Adoptions.”  We hope to inform and educate families as much as possible throughout their adoption journey!

Have you attended a webinar?  What are you waiting for?  View our webinar schedule here.

Also, learn how to connect with CAN through Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest right now!  There are always exciting posts, updates, and families to interact with!

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Consultant

Children of All Nations Adoption Blog: November 21, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

There is so much to be thankful for, especially in the world of adoption!!  Last weekend, our first Haiti family finally got to bring their child home…I know this will be such a memorable Thanksgiving for them.  What memories and traditions are you making with your kiddos?

With our first child home from Haiti, CAN is so excited to unite more children with their forever families.  If you want to learn more about our Haiti program, check out our website here.  Many of the children available are infants-toddlers or even sibling groups!

I also wanted to share that CAN started a page on Pinterest!  To view our Pinterest page and see all things trending in the adoption world (even ideas for Thanksgiving recipes from your child’s country), you can follow us here!

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager

Children of All Nations Adoption Blog: November 14, 2012

Hello CAN Families,

It is definitely beginning to feel like Fall here in Texas, and I am extremely excited for Thanksgiving next week!  I’m sure you are all looking forward to having the kiddos home for a few days.  What are you most thankful for this year?

Many of our CAN Africa families have received referrals this month!  I know the children and families are all so thankful to be united soon.   If you are interested in learning more about our CAN programs, check out more information here.

I do have excited families beginning their adoption journey ask interesting questions like, “What do you think about renaming my child? How do I make that decision?”  This is completely up to the family.  Sometimes this can depend on how old the child is and it also might depend on how difficult the child’s name sounds in English.  I recently asked this question on our Facebook page, and our families had some wonderful insight on what made them decide to change their child’s name (or not)!

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager

From the Desk of Lizzie: November 7, 2012

Happy Adoption Month!

November is Adoption Month. There are so many exciting things for our families to be thankful for and continue learning. I’d love to share a few Adoption Month events and ideas with you all:

1) Adoption Day is November 17th, and there are events all over the country to celebrate. You can find an event in your area right here!

2) Do you have a Family Tree with GWCA or CAN? Family Tree is a wonderful way to keep your family and friends informed of your adoption journey…especially during Adoption Month! GWCA and CAN families can start their own Family Tree blog here.

3) I think there are some amazing adoption stories and inspirational quotes. Do you have any adoption stories or special quotes to share? Check out our Facebook page and continue sharing all month!

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager

From the Desk of Lizzie: October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween!

I would love to see all the costumes today!  What is your kiddo dressed as?  Other than Halloween, today is also exciting for another reason…

CAN has launched our new Bulgaria Waiting Child Program!  This program offers families the opportunity to adopt a child with special needs. Often, these children are the most vulnerable and need your love, support, and healing. Children of All Nation’s receives files of children available every 3 months from the Bulgarian government. We have the privilege to advocate for these special children and search for their forever family.

Children available through the Bulgaria Waiting Child Program range in age from 1-16 and have a broad range of special needs.  Healthy children and sibling groups may also be available. The number of files available and the age range, gender and special needs of the children will vary per with each distribution.  We are happy to announce the addition several children in need of finding their forever family. To access our Children of All Nations Waiting Child List, please complete a Waiting Child Profile.  This will provide you with your unique password to access the site.  For additional information on the Bulgaria Program, please visit our Children of All Nations website.

When thinking about adoption and waiting children, this quote comes to my mind: “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” – Heather Cortez

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager

From the Desk of Lizzie: October 24, 2012

Hello GWCA/CAN Families,

Great Wall and Children of All Nations had the honor of hosting a delegation of 22 CCCWA members yesterday at our headquarters in Austin, Texas. The delegation toured the Capitol and met with State Representative Mark Strama where Ms. Gan Weiwei, who led the delegation, was presented with a Texas flag as a gift. The delegation also participated in informational presentations by Texas Department of Family and Protective Services staff regarding licensing for adoption agencies, and by GWCA/CAN staff regarding our successful waiting child program in China. They enjoyed a tour of our office where they were able to meet the GWCA/CAN staff and learn more about our agency’s adoption programs. GWCA/CAN thanks CCCWA for their visit and for all they do to help the children of China.

If you want to see pictures of the visit, check out our Facebook page here.

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager

From the Desk of Lizzie: October 17, 2012

Good Morning Families,

GWCA has started some exciting adoption campaigns!  “Look What Love Can Do” was started to show the impact adoption can have on a child when a family brings a little one into their forever family.  Feel free to look through each child’s pictures to see how their life has flourished. GWCA is so excited to help families at every stage of the adoption journey, and we would be happy to explore your adoption options through China today!  What can your love do?

Another new agency campaign is: “Joy of Boys.”  This campaign shows that although many families are only open to little girls, there are also boys in China waiting for their forever family.  Are you interested in learning more about adopting from China…possibly a boy?  Feel free to contact me at elizabeth@childrenofallnations.com for more information.  You can also have your little boy’s ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos displayed in our “Joy of Boys” album on our GWCA website by submitting through our campaign site.

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager