The title isn't so startling, is it? Children grow up. That’s what they do. This inclusive statement extends to adoptee children as well. They grow up. So why is it worth talking about?

My adopted children have arrived to me between 17mos and 17yrs old. From the first time I hear that the child will be arriving, I work and plan for this child to have a successful life. By nature of the adoptions I’ve pursued, my kids have come from really, really awful backgrounds. Because of that, my focus starts from day one – and the focus usually remains... more

Allie had two big life events happen this month! She turned five AND she got adopted, after 3 years in our family. Here are some of her thoughts on adoption...

Allie, I want to talk to you about adoption. Is that okay?

“Yeah!”

Who got adopted last week?

“umm…..Renee, Michelle, Joey, Renee, me and Simone. Seven people.” (holds up seven fingers and shows everyone in the room) “Oh, Michelle, too.”

You all got adopted at the same time? (there were... more

Abby is 14yrs old. She has been my daughter for exactly one year this week. She wrote this today - a message she asked me if I would share with other adoptive parents.

Forgiveness From The Heart

“I hate you and I don’t have to listen to you cause you’re not my real mom!” These are many words commonly used by today’s adopted teenagers in America. After taking a while to cool down they apologize. Many say they forgive, but what does the words ‘ I forgive you’... more

One of my adult daughters is looking into adoption for herself and her husband. This daughter is adopted. She came to us at 15 years old.

She is at the very beginning stages of looking into adoption, with no real knowledge at all about the processes. I know that she would love to adopt an infant or very young child/toddler.

“What do I do first?”, she asked.

HELP!! What does she do first? What did YOU do first? What would YOU tell her?

I can... more

This is the 4th (and final) interview with Caroline regarding her thoughts on adoptions issues. She shares openly - and they are her own opinions. Sometimes she, as the adopted child, and I, as the adoptive mother, disagree. AND, her thoughts as the one most directly impacted in adoption, are valuable.

There have been celebrities recently who’ve adopted children. There have been other celebrities who’ve been vocal in their opinions about whether those adoptions are right or wrong. Do you think... more

Caroline, a 17yr old adoptee from Russia (shown here with her adoptive family shares her thoughts on adoption issues.

What would you like to say to families who are considering adopting an older child?

They should expect that the child is going to be a pain in the butt. Don’t expect things to be all good and perfect – that would be utopia, but not reality. Going through all the things they have already gone through by the time of adoption, a lot of people that they trusted will have disappointed... more

Caroline was adopted from Russia at age 11. Now age 17, here she is pictured with the children in her adoptive family.

Tell me about your life now as a teenager in America.

I have a great life. I know I take some things for granted, but I try not to!

I get up every morning and go to a scripture study class before school. From there, I go to high school. My high school has about 2000 students. I get pretty good grades, although I still have to work very hard for that. A lot of times, I struggle with... more

Caroline, now 17, continues the story of her first year in America, after being adopted from Russia at age 11 with her two younger sisters.

When you were at home with your family (off and on during this first year), how did you get along with your parents? Okay, I guess. We did fight – they accused me of things that I didn’t do. They would say I peed my pants sometimes on purpose (it was only one time and it was an accident), but they also said I peed my pants other times when I really didn’t. I didn’t... more

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

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