Russian laws governing adoptions by foreigners have become stricter in recent years.

Even accredited adoption agencies are finding it difficult to manage the changes in the Law,  primarily because of the pervasive corruption among bureaucrats. In the last two years has the number of Russians adopting children (7,000) exceeded that of foreigners adopting Russian children (6,000).

The Education and Science Ministry in Russia is now demanding tougher rules for overseas adoptive parents, suggesting that they be obligated to register with the state’s orphan database, undergo psychological testing and take a preparatory course for taking  adopted children into their home.

For more information see Russian Adoption

russia adoption

Adoption in Britain has changed dramatically in the past few decades.

In the 1950s and 1960s, adoption was much more common: the number of adopted children peaked at 28,000 in 1968; last year there were just 3,300.  Adoption is now seen as a last resort and every effort is made to keep a baby with its birth mother.

In the 1950’s and 1960’s, social pressure on ‘un-married mothers’ was high. Young women who became pregnant were sent away to “mother-and-baby homes”,  where they would give birth before being pressured into handing their baby over to an adoption agency.  Most of these young mothers did not want to give their baby away, but felt they had no choice.

Today, those women are part of another dramatic social change, as legal reforms allow them to make contact with the children they handed over in such wretched circumstances. Pressure from campaigners - including many of the former ‘un-married  mothers’ - has led to adopted children and birth parents being given the right to be reunited, through approved intermediaries, if that is the wish of both parties.

The first significant legal change came in 1975, when adopted children were given the right to have copies of their birth certificates, so they could trace their parents. But it was not until December 2005, after nearly 30 years of campaigning, that birth parents won the right to make contact with children who had been adopted.

adoption

Homeopathy is a natural, holistic system of healing. The remedies are derived from natural products and treat the individual not just the illness.

Homeopathy is particularly effective in children and babies, as their conditions are often not as long-standing as adult’s.

Because homeopathy treats the whole person, the emotional health can also be improved.

Homeopathy has been beneficial to many adopted and foster children who may suffer from a wide spectrum of emotional problems and disorders. Its quite common for fostered or adopted children to display signs of emotional distress such as abandonment, sereration anxiety, disturbed sleeping patterns, insecurity, inability to bond or trust, and life-long social problems.

A visit to a homeopath may improve the life of the adopted baby or child, as well as the life of the parents!

adoption

The wait for a baby to adopt can be years… So its not surprising that many couples consider the idea of international adoption. Afer all, the celebrities make it seem as easy as going on holiday, or picking out a puppy.

But there can be a sinister, black market trade in babies in some countries: Guatemala seems to have a problem.

One in of every 100 children born in Guatemala is now adopted by Americans. Many Guatemalan adoptions are indeed successful, however critics of the process claim this impoverished Central American country has become a place where unsuspecting families, and innocent children, are victims to corruption, lies, forgery, kidnapping and broken hearts.

Many American  families are devastated to discover that their adoption might have been carried out by an illegal adoption agency, and their baby may have been kidnapped from a loving mother, not rescued from a slum orphanage.

So consider all the facts and do some research into the country before committing to international adoption. The old saying is still true, ‘If it looks too good to be true, it probably is’

For more info, visit International Adoption

baby adoptioninternational adoption

During the holiday season it seems that everyone’s thoughts turn to home and family.

Having a family to call or visit during the holidays remains important for all of us, whether adults or children.

It is difficult to imagine the pain of so many young adults — almost 20,000 of them every year — who leave foster care without a family or a place to call home. It doesn’t matter whether we are 13 or 33, we need parents and family. The holiday months of November and December make this all the more apparent.

Most people do not know that you don’t have to be young, wealthy, married, or own a home to adopt.

One of the gifts older children offer is that you don’t have to change diapers, navigate a child’s car seat or be awakened every few hours during the night.

So when considering adoption, or fostering, don’t just think of babies and young children. Everybody needs a home and a family, and Christmas time just makes us more aware of that.

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The first set of heartache can come after years of trying to conceive, then getting a diagnosis of infertility. This may be followed by more years of heartbreaking fertility treatment.

Even after that, adoption is not a foregone conclusion. It is another huge decision and starts a new ball rolling in a different direction.  Many couples spend many months considering whether adoption felt right for them.

Its not a natural transition from infertility to adoption.

As well as the grieving for the newborne baby of your own that will never be, there are suddenly new decisions to be made.

Adoption from home or internationally?

Which adoption agency to choose?

One child, or two, or three?

What about special needs children? Which, if any, special needs would you be able to cope with?

After all those decisions have been made, the path to adoption is complicated and slow.

Its only when you are finally united with your adopted child that the years of heartache melt away.

For more information, visit www.baby-adoption.co.uk

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Statistics released this week showed a 13% fall in the number of children in care who are being adopted, despite a target to increase adoptions by 50%.

The decrease in the rate of adoption confirms fears that more children are missing out on life in a loving family home.

But why is there a decrease when there are more people than ever considering adoption?

Some point to the bureaucratic approach to adoption in the UK, particularly the Adoption and Children Act 2002.

Such a shame that red tape and form-filling has meant children who could gain so much from a secure and loving home environment are delayed or denied that chance.

For more information, visit www.baby-adoption.co.uk

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The Republic of Congo have suspended the international adoption of children to ensure the interests of such children are protected.

The move comes after the arrest in neighbouring Chad of members of French NGO who were subsequently charged with abducting 103 children destined for new families in Europe.

A study carried out in 2006 by the government, the justice and peace commission and the UN Children’s Fund revealed that there were about 2,000 child victims of cross-border trafficking in Congo during that year.

Many adoptive parents assume they are resueing a baby from poverty and institutional care; but the truth might be that the baby has beed abducted from its biological parents.

A study carried out in 2006 by the justice and peace commission and the UN Children’s Fund revealed that there were about 2,000 child victims of cross-border trafficking in Congo during that year.

international adoption

Does race matter when adopting?

A difficult question in our ‘politically correct’ world, where the slightest hint of difference can be blown out of propotion.

But surely, its the best interests of the child that are of paramount importance.

One would hope that the adoptive parents consider themselves to be ‘un prejudiced’ and often spend many hours considering the issues and education themselves on the possible problems of transracial adoption. 

A baby or toddler will have little or no concept of race or colour. But as the child gets older can a family from a different ethnic background provide for all the needs of that child?

Often parents who have adopted transracially, find that they may move neighbourhoods, change churchs or join different social groups to provide for the needs of their child.

So while its never a ‘No’ to transracial adoption, there are extra areas to be considerd.

For more information visit www.baby-adoption.co.uk

I received an email about a week ago from a mother who’s adopted child is now two and a half. She asked me if I knew any good books to read to her daughter to gently start introducing the idea of adoption.

At first nothing sprang to mind - I put this down to the state of my mind! and headed for a book shop.

But four book shops later and I still could not find anything suitable.

Any recommendations?

thanks

mrs b