Blog

During the first couple months of becoming an adoptive mom, there were many times I said “yes” to my daughter when I ordinarily wouldn’t have done so. For example, I said yes to: taking a bath in leggings, taking a bath with socks on, taking a bath fully clothed (luckily this stage passed fairly quickly!), ...

7

Mar

Parental Emotional Language and Its Influence on Internationally Adopted Children

by Karlene Edgemon, MS, LSW

We have always heard that children mimic what a parent does rather than what they say. However, new research shows that especially with internationally adopted children, efforts made by their adoptive parents to discuss emotions and feelings with their children makes a huge difference in the child’s emotional understanding of themselves and others, thus contributing ...

4

Mar

Photo of the Week

Bright eyed Nicaraguan cuties are simply the cutest! If you would like your child to be featured as our Photo of the Week, please email info@mljadoptions.com.

3

Mar

Now Accepting Families into our Haiti Adoption Program!

in Haiti

Last year was a big year for our families adopting from Haiti! Haiti limits the number of dossiers that each agency is able to submit each month, we have limited the number of families we invite into our program, but we are excited to announce that we now have 10 spots available for interested families!

2

Mar

Mexico International Adoption Program Advances in 2015

by Adriana Tebbe

in Mexico

2015 was a great year for our families adopting from Mexico! We have received referrals of children for four of our Mexico program families. We currently have three families who have accepted referrals and have been matched with children.

29

Feb

Are You a Good Candidate to Adopt an Older child?

in Special Needs

With every adoption, as with anything worthwhile, there are challenges and rewards. Some families are up for the challenge of adopting an older child, feel called to meet this great need or simply feel that adopting an older child best meets their family’s season of life. Regardless of why, there are certain characteristics consistent in ...

26

Feb

Photo of the Week

She’s ready for tip off!! The 2016 Brackets for Good competition kicks off at 8PM tonight! We’re so excited to be fundraising to be able to provide adoption grants for families. If you would like your child to be featured as our Photo of the Week, please contact info@mljadoptions.com.

25

Feb

GET ON YOUR FEET & PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER!

in Events

MLJ Adoptions will use donations made during Brackets for Good to provide assistance to families adopting children with special needs. We are so excited to be able to use this opportunity to raise awareness about children in need of families and to raise funds to be able to provide adoption grants to make the adoption journey more affordable.

24

Feb

Primary Provider Successes to Celebrate!

by Sonja Brown

in MLJ Adoptions

MLJ Adoptions is excited to celebrate success as a primary provider! As an agency, we love it when families finalize their processes and bring their adopted children to the United States! While the process may be long and arduous at times, filled with unending stacks of paperwork, appointments and requirements, it is always rewarding when ...

22

Feb

Referrals for Older Children Increase for Families Adopting from Nicaragua

by Adriana Tebbe

in Nicaragua

We have recently had the pleasure of assisting families who are adopting from Nicaragua. They have been matched with older children and siblings. It all begins when the Potential Match arrives to my email inbox. The feeling of being able to call a family who has been waiting and give them the information that will ...

19

Feb

Photo of the Week

Every day is a good day to wear a cool hat! If you would like your child featured as our Photo of the Week, please email info@mljadoptions.com

17

Feb

Humor and Cultural Practices in Burkina Faso

by Karlene Edgemon, MS, LSW

in Burkina Faso

Adopting internationally presents families with a unique challenge. Should they pursue international adoption, they will be parenting a child from a different culture than themselves. Families who are adopting from Burkina Faso may find that their friends and family are also unfamiliar with the culture. Burkina Faso is often described as a “melting pot of ...

16

Feb

MLJ Adoptions’ Upcoming Africa Party

in Events

MLJ Adoptions is excited to announce our Annual Celebrate Africa Party! We invite you to join the MLJ Adoptions team as we celebrate the rich African culture! This annual family event will be full of fun activities such as crafts, art, dancing, and of course food! This year’s party will be our 5th annual celebration, and ...

12

Feb

Photo of the Week

When it’s cold outside and the snow is coming down, it’s helpful to have an extra set of hands to help! If you would like your child to be featured as our Photo of the Week, please email info@mljadoptions.com.

10

Feb

Splish-Splash! My Kid Won’t Take a Bath!

by Angela Simpson, BSW

In our house, bath time can sometimes be a struggle. A few nights ago my daughter refused to take a bath. I eventually figured out that she wanted me to bathe her. I’m not sure about you, but around 7:30pm, after being sick and working all day, the last thing I wanted to do was ...

9

Feb

Dedicated In Country Staff Serves Families Adopting from Bulgaria

in Bulgaria

Completing an international adoption requires a team of individuals of different skill sets, in different countries with different job responsibilities working towards the same goal – finding families for children in need. In Bulgaria, MLJ Adoptions partners with Vesta to serve the orphaned children and our adoptive families. This week, we were privileged to have ...

8

Feb

What are Primary Provider Services?

by Sonja Brown

in MLJ Adoptions

The implementation of the Universal Accreditation Act (UAA) which requires all adoptive parents to utilize the services of a primary provider. It is important to partner with a primary provider before pursuing your adoption to ensure that parts of your adoption will not need to be re-done.

5

Feb

Photo of the Week

This cutie came home from Malaysia to his forever family through MLJ Adoptions’ Primary Provider Services. We are thankful for the opportunity to service families through this program. If you would like your child to be featured as our Photo of the Week, please email info@mljadoptions.com.

4

Feb

Indiana Congressional Delegation Advocates for Children in Need of Families

by Nicole Skellenger, JD

in Congo

Since 2013, adoption authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have prevented adopted children from joining their families in the United States and in other countries around the world. These children, whose adoptions have been completed in the DRC have been denied the basic right to a family for over two years. This has been an ...

3

Feb

What is Adoption Education?

by Karlene Edgemon, MS, LSW