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6

Feb

"Doc McStuffins" Offers A Healthy Dose of Diversity

by MLJ Adoptions

“Doc McStuffins,” which first aired in March on the Disney channel, has attracted a growing audience of children ages 2 to 7. “Doc McStuffins” is not only getting praise from children for it’s fun-loving characters and catchy songs, but it has also sparked the interest of parents who are excited to have a positive role ...

13

Dec

Gift Guide: For Adoptive Moms

by MLJ Adoptions

The month of December kicks off the shopping season. Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, it’s a time when many of us try our best to find the perfect gift for our loved ones. Moms can be particularly difficult to buy for. Moms are always giving so much of themselves to others. What ...

7

Dec

Gift Guide: Dads with Adopted Kids

by MLJ Adoptions

Christmas is coming! Are you ready? This gift guide for dads should help. Sometimes dad can seem like the hardest person to shop for – mine never seems to know what he wants! If the man in your life has adopted a child, then an adoption related gift may be just the ticket. Appropriate gifts ...

2

Dec

In On It: What adoptive parents would like you to know about adoption

by MLJ Adoptions

In On It: What adoptive parents would like you to know about adoption by Elizabeth O’Toole opens wide the doors into the world of adoption for the uninitiated. In addition to explaining the adoption process and all its crazy bureaucracy, it also provides great insight into the emotional roller coaster that everyone involved has just ...

30

Nov

Transracial Parenting Means Learning about Racism in America

by MLJ Adoptions

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, 84% of international adoptions are transracial and only 19% of internationally adopted children are white (based on a 2007 survey). This percentage shows international adoption almost always means transracial adoption. Because most international adoptions are transracial, MLJ’s education classes focus heavily on preparing white parents to ...

29

Nov

The Gulf In Between

by MLJ Adoptions

The complexity of transracial adoption can be enormous, especially when you consider ethnic and cultural ramifications for your child. What I mean is that no matter how committed you are (and studies prove how committed adoptive parents are), no matter how hard you try, —exposure to role models, food, music, art, language, festivals, traditions—you will ...

9

Nov

Fundraising Crafts: Nail And String Art

by MLJ Adoptions

There are at least two major challenges facing parents who are in the process of adopting: fundraising and preparing your family for a new child. String art projects can help with both of these challenges. Although string art originated in the 19th century, it gained popularity in the late 1960s. Like all things retro, string ...

8

Nov

Fundraising How To: Woven Star Garland

by

In this week’s theme of fundraiser ideas, here is a tutorial on how to make woven paper star garland. In honor of adoption, I printed a map (which you can find free printable ones all over pinterest) on both sides of printer paper and that is what I used to make the stars. Although, in ...

7

Nov

How To Make A Map Photo Frame

by MLJ Adoptions

As National Adoption Awareness Month continues we’re looking at different fundraising options. If you are looking for a way to help reach your fundraising goals and explore your crafty side sites such as Pinterest are your bread and butter! To give you a kick start for your amazingly productive craft time I am going to ...

6

Nov

Need Funds for your Adoption? What about an Auction?

by MLJ Adoptions

An auction uses competitive bidding process to reach the highest price for the sale of a good. Many non-profits and charities use auctions to raise monies for their worthy causes. Adoptive parents can also use this method to raise money for their international adoptions. Whether you are adopting from Haiti or Ukraine, your adoption services ...

1

Nov

Kicking off National Adoption Awareness Month

by MLJ Adoptions

National Adoption Month kicks off in November and highlights the importance of finding adoptive families for all of those children who are in need of forever families! National Adoption Month started out as only being Adoption Week, but was expanded to an entire month of awareness because all of that importance and information could not ...

31

Oct

Heartland Film Stuck Strikes An Emotional Cord With Adoptive Parents

by MLJ Adoptions

I’m a crier. Ask my husband, my mom, anyone really. I’ve been known to tear up at a Hallmark commercial, the series finale to a great show (Lost anyone?), and since I’ve started my adoption journey just about anything to do with adoption brings on the waterworks (I mean, really, who didn’t cry when Meredith ...

30

Oct

Adoption Ministry

by MLJ Adoptions

Adoption and ministry go hand in hand. Adoption is something so big that you can’t do it on your own so adoptive parents are dependent on the ministry of others to help support them through the process. And the needs of orphans are so great that no one ministry or church can care for them ...

25

Sep

The Dad Perspective

by MLJ Adoptions

One of our clients reached out to us about this awesome podcast idea he had and we just had to share! It’s a great way for dads to get involved, and will be a fantastic resource and support for everyone. Below is his description of where he thinks the podcast is headed. We’ll keep you ...

11

Sep

Adoption Issues in PBS Kids show Dinosaur Train

by MLJ Adoptions

My boys love watching a show, on PBS Kids, called Dinosaur Train. They’re boys, so of course they love a show that combines two of their favorite things-dinosaurs and trains. When I actually sat down to watch this show with them I noticed that there is a lot more to it than just dinosaurs and ...

7

Sep

Adopt Without Debt – Book Review

by Camie Schuiteman

When my family started our adoption journey over seven years ago, the looming weight of raising money seemed overwhelming. However, the burden of orphans in need of forever, loving families was even more overwhelming. That burden fueled our energy to begin sacrificial saving and fund raising. Two years and $50,000 later, we brought home two ...

24

Jul

Questions To Ask Your Prospective Agency

in Congo, Resources

I do many consultations with families who are looking to adopt and trying to choose an agency. For many, the same question is asked at the end of our conversation, “Is there anything I didn’t ask that I should have?” Families new to the adoption world are navigating a sea of agencies, legalities and processes ...

17

Jul

What About Sunscreen?

In preparation for meeting my daughter in Africa, I packed everything I could possibly think of, including sunscreen. It’s hot in Africa! This item became a topic of conversation with the three other couples we traveled with. The main topic of the conversation was “do black people need sunscreen?” With summer in full swing, parents ...

11

Jul

Playing Inside To Beat The Heat

by MLJ Adoptions

Across the nation temperatures have hit extraordinary highs. It’s been so hot that venturing outside for even a few minutes leaves you drenched in sweat, and swimming pools have been transformed into hot tubs. It’s miserably hot days like the ones we have been having that remind me of similar summers at home with my ...

9

Jul

Julie Gumm to Present Debt-Free Adoption at Conference

by MLJ Adoptions

When potential adoptive parents hear the cost for private or international adoption they generally do one of two things: decide they could never afford it and give up entirely, or take out a sizeable loan. To the first group I say "WAIT! There is a way." To the second group I say "Wait! There is ...

5

Jul

MLJ Adoptions Provides Many Avenues of Communication to Clients

by MLJ Adoptions

The staff of MLJ Adoptions continually communicate key information with our Adoptive Parents through e-mails, tweets, posts on facebook, blogs, and through our Client Care Database to keep our clients informed about their adoption journey. While MLJ is responsible for providing these means of communication, it is the responsibility of all Adoptive Parents to take ...

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