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Karla: Posted on Monday, March 12, 2012 9:09 PM
 DO NOT ADOPT I know that sounds weird coming from an adoption and foster care advocate, doesn't it? In my journey as an adoptive mom, advocate and speaker, I have found that people do not hold their tongue when it comes to their opinions of adoption. Over the years I have come to the conclusion that if someone is going to adopt and be a successful parent they have to have a certain thought pattern going into it. I have come in contact with women who are having a particularly hard time conceiving. |
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Karla: Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2012 4:50 PM
 Raising Children Who Have Experienced Trauma
You have found yet another disturbing drawing, 40 chewed up crayons, a collection of food under the bed or a pile of missing homework from last school year and you cringe! The next time your friend or neighbor tells you that adoptive parenting is the same as parenting any other child, you will be ready to put your boxing gloves on. Of course I am approaching this with humor because if I don't and you can relate to this article, you just may cry. |
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Karla: Posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 10:05 PM
What About the Birth Father? Adoption use to focus on the wonder of new adoptive parents relishing in the beauty and excitement of adopting a new child whether it was an infant, youth or an orphan over seas. In recent years, many have begun to open up and stand up for the birth mother and her perspective in adoption. Adoption is chosen for a child for a variety of reasons that are perplexing to many people. The adoption plan is usually carried out by the birth mom and a caring representative at any number of agencies around the world. |
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Karla: Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 1:56 PM
 I cannot even count how many times I have been told how wonderful I am for changing my children's lives and "taking them in". Most adoptive parents would tell you just the opposite but would not expect you to understand until you have experienced it yourself. I can honestly say that my life has changed more than theirs. Adoption has changed my life much more than it has changed my children's lives. Perspective I suffered 7 miscarriages in my quest to be a parent. The heartache, emotional turmoil and pain that surrounded me seemed insurmountable. |
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Karla: Posted on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 6:58 PM
Managing Expectations asan Adoptive Parent When I consult with prospective adoptive families, there are an array of thoughts, expectations and ideas of what the process of adoption should be and what their "ideal" child should be like. I always caution people to be honest about their desires BUT be open to the possibilities as well. There is a reason that most people pursuing adoption are seeking newborns. They feel that they come with less baggage, very little issues and a clean slate. |
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Karla: Posted on Monday, October 10, 2011 10:50 PM
 Aging- OUT and No Where to Go! Close your eyes and picture this! It's your 18th birthday. You want nothing more than to be surrounded by the ones who love you and support you. To have their blessing as you walk into adulthood with confidence, fully prepared for the world ahead. Instead the home you are in is the 7th one in the last 10 years and you are told "it is time to go". No celebration, no preparation, no information and no support. You are thrown to the wolves and expected to suck it up and figure it out. |
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Karla : Posted on Friday, October 07, 2011 5:15 PM
 UnAdoptable!UnLovable UnWorthy UnChangeable UnWanted Un...... Un........... Un................ Have you ever had someone call you an "un"? "UnAdoptable" is one of the most offensive and ignorant descriptions that a person can give a child who is without parents at no fault of their own. What are people saying when they say this? They are putting a label on a human being/child for acting out in a manner that is not appealing. What they forget is that this is a person who was exposed to things no child should ever see or experience. |
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Karla: Posted on Monday, August 01, 2011 6:11 PM
Debunking the Myth of "The Birth Parent" I cannot count how many times I have heard comments like: "How can someone give away such a gorgeous child?" "She must have been crazy or on drugs, huh?" "How can a person not love their child?" "They must have been abused, huh?" I get so angry when people ask these kinds of questions about my children or any adopted child. Why do I get so furious? Because the fact of the matter is that every adoption was of initiated due to the horror stories you hear in the media. |
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Karla: Posted on Monday, August 01, 2011 5:53 PM
Understanding the Birth Mom- Compassion and Love Required! It is human nature to compare a person's knowledge, life and situation to our own and immediately come to the conclusion that we "would never do something like that".  When talking about adoption, you cannot dismiss the role of the birth mom and her significance to the life of the child you are adopting. Many circumstances and roads lead to adoption. Many hard choices and decisions bring a person to the point in the road where adoption is chosen as the answer. |
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Karla: Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2011 5:05 PM
 Introducing NEW People into your Child's Life Right after I adopted my 3 children, I was accused many times of being a "helicopter mom". This usually came from those that were not familiar with adoption, in particular, older child adoption. I do not and will not ever apologize for the way we protect our children. Yes, I know that I cannot always be there and I know that they will have to learn to "fly birdie fly". However, in the beginning we had to create an environment of stability and peace in order to give them what they needed. |
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