Blog

9
Dec

Give Your Adoptive Child a Portable Sensory Bag this Christmas

We all struggle with self-regulation throughout different periods in our lives. Our ability to self-regulate can depend on what we are going through, how much stress we are dealing with, sickness, etc. We each self-regulate differently. For some, self-regulation can be a constant struggle that is difficult to understand. Self-regulation is the ability to adjust ...
4
Dec

Photo of the Week

We hope your fall was filled with pumpkin picking and memory making that will continue into the holiday season! If you would like your child to be featured as our Photo of the Week, please email info@mljadoptions.com.
2
Dec

Steps to Take When Adopting Older Children

Adopting older children brings both joys and challenges into your home. There are steps you can take to make the journey into your home smoother. Knowledge is power Read about the country you’re adopting from, and learn as much about the culture as you can. Keeping your child connected to his/her culture is crucial in ...
30
Nov

Adoption of Sixteen Special Needs Children

As an adoption professional I am always thrilled to see when an adoptive family relays that they are open to adopting a special needs child. These children are passed over time and time again by families who are only willing to adopt what they consider to be “healthy” children. You can imagine my surprise when ...
23
Nov

My First Visit to an Orphanage

I had the opportunity to travel to Haiti recently. I was excited, nervous, stressed and many other emotions in the five days leading up to my trip. There was a last minute change in plans because my boss was supposed to go on the trip, but wasn’t able to go so she sent me in ...
20
Nov

Photo of the Week

In 2006, Annie came to the United States as part of our Ukraine Hosting Program. Annie’s host family ended up adopting her. Annie has shared a lot about her hosting and adoption experience. If you would like your child to be featured as our Photo of the Week, please email info@mljadoptions.com.
18
Nov

The Power of Each Story

If you’ve ever been to an orphanage/crèche/hogar/children’s home to visit or serve, you’ve undoubtedly had the feeling I hope to describe. There will be one child (sometimes a few) from each trip who leave the country with you, not physically, but in your heart. Once you have seen the yearning for a family in a ...
16
Nov

Bulgaria Adoption Story: Helton Family

Adoption not only changes the lives of children, but also the lives of the rest of the family. We are delighted to introduce one of our courageous MLJ Adoptions’ Families who adopted a child with a serious medical issue from Bulgaria. During November, National Adoption Month, MLJ Adoptions is raising money for its Special Needs Adoption ...
11
Nov

How Can I Teach My Child to be Gentle and Kind?

How does your child’s engine run? If your child is like mine her engine runs on high most of the time. We are constantly saying “slow down,” “be careful,” “be safe,” “be gentle,” and “be kind.” Sometimes I feel like a broken record. Getting her to slow down and be aware of her surroundings and ...
6
Nov

Photo of the Week

Annie and Payton are both adopted from Ukraine. Having a shared heritage has allowed a close friendship to form. This is not an uncommon experience for children who participate in the Ukraine Hosting Program. If you’re interested in learning more about our Ukraine Hosting Program, please contact us.
28
Oct

MLJ Adoptions’ Staff Travels to Haiti

We have previously shared about how Haiti’s transition to the Hague Convention has changed the adoption process. This September, two members of our MLJ Adoptions team, Jen Gavin and Nicole Skellenger, traveled to Haiti to meet with adoption professionals in country, visit crèches and meet with the U.S. Embassy in Haiti. One highlight of the ...
27
Oct

What is a Central Authority?

The landscape of international adoption continues to change. Prospective adoptive parents and agencies are increasingly concerned about ensuring adoptions are completed with the highest commitment to ethical practices. The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and co-operation in Respect of Inter-Country Adoption (the Hague Convention) has been a key component in ensuring that international ...
26
Oct

Adopting from Mexico Requires Understanding of Geography

Mexico, like the United States, separates and governs itself by states. There are 31 federated states in Mexico, each varies in how they process adoptions and oversee child welfare. MLJ Adoptions is currently assisting families with their adoptions from the States of Hidalgo and Yucatan. Three of the referrals our families have received have been ...
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