Post-adoption: don't be afraid to ask for help!

My part 2 article was published yesterday.  It addresses getting help if you experience struggles once you bring your child(ren) home. You can read the article HERE.

I also want to clarify that contrary to many reports (and despite what I said in a previous post), Russia has not suspended U.S. adoptions. They may very well halt things if the U.S. and Russia cannot create a bi-lateral adoption agreement. Things have slowed down in some respects, and as is always the case in Russia, situations vary by region. Bu things are still moving.

A high-ranking U.S. delegation was scheduled to meet with officials in Moscow this week in an attempt to create a bi-lateral agreement regarding U.S/Russian adoptions.  Due to the ash clouds from the volcano, that trip has been postponed until next week.  Please pray that these negotiations go well. From all I've read, the delegation we're sending is not only powerful, but also well-connected in the area of adoption. The outcome of this meeting will be significant, but there seems to be a lot of confidence around the fact that they're meeting.

We don't know all of the story about the boy on the airplane.  It is very possible that the 7-year-old did make threats and exhibit the behaviors that Torry Hansen claimed in her letter. It is also possible that Torry went into it knowing about the 'bad adoption stories' but thinking it would never happen to her. There are many possibilities.

But Hansen had other options.  I read an article yesterday that said Hansen spoke with psychologists about her son's behavior, but never actually took him for any therapy or counseling. I can't help but wonder if the outcome would have been different if she'd tried to get him (and herself) some professional help.

Okay, off my soap box.  The Joint Council's site (HERE) gives the latest information on the status of Russian adoptions.

I'm so thankful that I've been given the opportunity to write about adoption topics. I pray that my words will help people understand what adoption is - and isn't, what's really involved, and give them a dose of reality that often isn't portrayed correctly by the media in general. And I pray that some who read my articles might even consider expanding their own families through adoption!

And in our adoption news, we are less than 2 weeks away from our scheduled submission date. Please continue to pray for our process, our last few pieces of paperwork (on its way to Ukraine this weekend, it was also delayed by the ash cloud), and our little one.