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 ...
The holiday season is the perfect time to begin actively nurturing the qualities of compassion, empathy and benevolence in your child. Although you have likely already begun to do this in less obvious ways-showing them how to hug their sibling when she is sad or speak kindly to a friend when he is upset, the ...
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.
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 youâre adopting from, and learn as much about the culture as you can. Keeping your child connected to his/her culture is crucial in ...
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 âhealthyâ children. You can imagine my surprise when ...
International adoption can be confusing, trying to decide which country to adopt from, deciding the age of the child that is a good fit for your family and even deciding the gender of child you are open to; all can seem overwhelming to families. Adding to the decision making is choosing to adopt a child ...
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 wasnât able to go so she sent me in ...
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.
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 ...
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 Adoptionsâ 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 ...
How does your childâs engine run? If your child is like mine her engine runs on high most of the time. We are constantly saying âslow down,â âbe careful,â âbe safe,â âbe gentle,â and âbe kind.â Sometimes I feel like a broken record. Getting her to slow down and be aware of her surroundings and ...
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.
If you have an elementary aged child, then like me, you probably dread the weekly spelling test. My daughterâs first language is not English so, for her, spelling is hard and studying for spelling tests is even harder. The English language is especially hard because not all words are spelled like they sound or sound ...
Today we are happy to welcome a guest post from Annie, a teenager thriving in her adoptive home. She’d love to help other children experience the joy of a loving home this holiday season. MLJ Adoptions still has several openings for our Winter Hosting Program. Dear Advocates for Children in Need, To put this letter ...
We have previously shared about how Haitiâs 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...