My daughter, Caroline, was adopted from Russia 5.5yrs ago at the age of 11. Two years after her adoption, Caroline disrupted her first adoption and was readopted by us. This is part IV in Caroline's own telling of her story. (Any questions were asked by mom - answered by Caroline.)

Once you arrived in America with your new family, how long was it until you started school? I don’t remember, but I know that we didn’t know very much English at all when we went to school. When we were in school,... more

It’s a wonderful thing watching my husband and daughter together, while I do think that Livi is officially a Mama’s girl, she has a special place in her heart for her Papa. They have a special bond. At times I don’t think its easy on him when she just wants me. I think at times he feels like the odd man out in a house of estrogen, even the cat is a moody female. He has been great, sitting back and waiting for his turn. Allowing her to bond with me first.He is so patient with her and allows her to come around on her terms. Seeing... more

Part III - Caroline's story of her Russian adoption. Now 17, she was originally adopted at age 11 with two younger sisters. Two years later, the adoption disrupted and she came to be my daughter. This is the story of her plane trip and early days in America. (Questions asked by mom, answered by Caroline.)

Part I - An International Adoptee's Story Part II - In... more

Caroline's Story Part II

This continues the story of Caroline, now 17. Six years ago, Caroline and her 2 younger sisters were adopted from Russia.

Did someone pick you up at the orphanage when you were going to be adopted? Who? Susan and Doug (adoptive parents). It was raining. The orphanage got us ready, dressed in yellow dresses. Then, we went out in the rain and got soaked. We got in their car. Then, we went to get our littlest sister from a different orphanage. After that,... more

Caroline is my amazing, beautiful, adopted, 17yr old daughter. She was born in Russia. At age 11, an American family adopted her with her two younger sisters. The original adoption disrupted two years later. Caroline (13) and her sister (12) were then adopted by our family.

With mom asking some questions, this is Part I her story of an international adoption.

Tell me who is in your birth family? Mom, Dad, Marina (older sister; sent at birth to live... more

Family tree charts are something that myself and my children find both enjoyable to fill out and valuable to keep in our memory books. Yesterday, I came across one great one that was an internet freebie. For today, I went in search of others that you might enjoy.

As adoptive parents, we must embrace ALL of the history so integral to our adopted child.

All people, but particularly many adopted children, tend to categorize their lives. One therapist we use is constantly working with the kids on “parts”. There is a mad part, a happy part, an angry part. There is a part that longs for happy life with their birth family. There is a part that is sad to be adopted and a part that is happy to be adopted. The listing of all of our “parts” could go on for pages and pages.

The... more

I was wondering last night before I fell asleep what it means to be a Good Mom…. I know what it means to me and how I define it but I wondered if other Mom’s put them selves through the wringer like I do. I guess its human nature and we are just wired to feel guilty. I for one say we take a stand to have Guilt free parenting month. I will feel guilty if I don’t read my daughter all of her books during our bedtime ritual. Some nights Im beat and I don’t have it in me to read Good night gorilla. I feel guilty if I dont give her enough vegetables. I feel... more

Evidently I am fostering some weird kind of dependency in my children, though I swear it is not my intention. I am always spouting off to them about how I want them to grow up, go off to college, travel the world, enjoy their lives, marry and have chidren of their own. I revel in fantasies about what their father and I will do once they are grown.

I have visions of long family vacations at the beach with our kids and later with their children in tow; holidays spent at one of their homes or ours; photos being zapped by cellphone and emailed over... more

I’m a stay at home Mom. My husband works very hard six days a week so that I can stay home. I’m the one that meets most of our daughters needs. Who am I kidding, I meet all of her needs.Besides my work out nights I’m the one the feeds her, dresses her, bathes her, plays with her, and reads to her. You get the idea. I’m her main caregiver. Recently on a family outing my husband became angry as I was being bossy and not letting him be a parent. He was right. His concerns are valid and he had every right to be upset. I have a very hard... more