Parenting Solutions

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Adopting From Abroad

Often people hear about the distress of children in other countries and want to offer to adopt one of them. But children’s best interests are not necessarily served by being adopted away from their own countries, their culture and their extended family.

Can You Do As Madonna Did?

You may have relatives in a country and want to adopt a child from your extended family, or you may have seen publicity where children look abandoned or orphaned.

David Holmes, Chief Executive of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering says, `The attention given to Madonna in Malawi has pushed adoption to the top of the agenda. It may also cause misconceptions.

`People may think inter-country adoption is easy,’ warns Holmes. `In fact people who want to adopt a child from abroad must go through exactly the same assessment and approval process as someone who wants to adopt a child under UK law from within the UK.

`Adopting a child from another country can take years, and adopters are likely to have to comply with follow-up requirements, for example reports on how the child is doing’ says Holmes. `So this is not the soft option.’

International Adoption is just one of several ways to build your family. And on the positive side, in most cases, international adoptions are finalised in the country of origin, so once you come home with your child, he or she is already legally yours.

Adoption not only allows you to have a family even when Mother Nature makes things difficult. It also provides a loving home for children who need families.

Trevor Emdon is founder of Wizard of Wisdom Publishing which offers many books and services in the field of self improvement and specialist advice.

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Working Moms already have a many responsibilities, and with the responsibilities comes guilt for not doing it all. As a working mom, you want to be in two places at once - at work and with your child. It is a difficult choice.

As a mother, you want to be available for your child, especially when it comes to his/her education. Yet, you don’t always have time to volunteer in the classroom or go on field trips. Here are simple ways you can volunteer without sacrificing a lot of time from your day.

1. Ask your child’s teacher if you can correct papers at home?

Teachers need help correcting spelling tests, cutting out pictures for art projects or other weekly assignments. These things can be done from home. Your child can bring them home for yo and then you can have her return them the next day. This not only helps the teachers but allows you a little insight to what is happening in the classroom.

2. Volunteer to provide paper products (cups, paper plates, napkins) for class activities.

Many activities require additional supplies that the teacher must provide. Offer to donate these supplies as needed. You can just add them to your grocery list throughout the year.

3. Offer to make posters for the PTA /School fundraiser

This is always a welcomed offer. This is something that both you and your child can do and it can be done at home, on the weekend. The school or PTA will even provide the supplies.

4. Offer to email parents about upcoming class and school activities

Parent communication is so important, and emails are the newest and fastest way to inform parents. Emailing can be done from home and allows you to be aware of activities as well.

5. Offer to bring water for outdoor activities

Jog-a-thons, Field days, P.E. - there are many times that schools have functions outside and the students need water. Offering to provide the water helps everyone and continues to support these crucial physical activities for students.