Blog

The Crossroads of America Adoption Conference (CAAC12) this year was a huge success! We are so thankful to those who spent their Saturday with us to learn more about adoption. Our attendees this year were awesome, they were not only great learners, but they were great participants and educators themselves. Many in attendance participated not ...

Recently, the American press reported the story of an American family finally completing the adoption of their son from Guatemala. The article, written by Associated Press staff writer, Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, relays the experience of the Hooker family. The article heart-achingly traces the family’s five year struggle to adopted a child they met while on a ...

September is National Yoga Month. Many studies confirm yoga is an effective option for healing trauma and reducing anxiety. All children who have been adopted have experienced some level of trauma, if only due to their separation from their biological families. Attending a parent/child yoga class with your adopted child could result in many benefits ...

"So You Think You Can Dance" (SYTYCD) is absolutely one of my favorite TV shows, both because I love dance and because of the touching human interest stories. This year there was a particularly interesting storyline, as America’s Favorite Male Dancer is also an international adoptee. I was thrilled with the outcome of the season ...

During my most recent visit to Apia, Samoa I was invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony and launching of the Children’s House of Hope. Many dignitaries attended this grand opening, including the Prime Minister of Samoa and the U.S. Consul; both gentlemen greatly support the shelter that provides needed support and a home to ...

As an adoptive parent, it is extremely crucial that you understand and celebrate the heroes and holidays of your children’s original culture. While this post might be most relevant to parents adopting from Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrating international holidays is important for all parents. Celebrating the significant holidays of other cultures will help your ...

This week the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption released their annual 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces. As per their website, "This list recognizes the top 100 companies with the best adoption benefits available to their employees." To be considered for this list employers must complete an adoption benefits survey. Those included are ranked based on the ...

Today, September 12, 2012 over one hundred “Angels” from all fifty states gathered at the nation’s capital to celebrate the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) Angels in Adoption program, including MLJ Adoptions very own Michele Jackson. Angels in Adoption is a yearly event and gives all U.S. Congressional members the chance to recognize outstanding ...

Babies, babies, and more babies. What to Expect When You’re Expecting is jam-packed with heart-touching stories of expectant parents. This comedy includes stars such as Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick, Chase Crawford, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quaid, and Chris Rock. Surprisingly though, this movie isn’t filled with all the punch lines and witty ...

While I strictly discourage "screen time" when talking to adoptive parents about adjustment and attachment, there are always a few exceptions. Children learn more through relationship, so shows and apps really are not helping them learn English nearly as quickly as or well as they will by interacting with you. One of the exceptions that ...

On September 16, 2012, MLJ Adoptions, Inc. will be meeting at the Indianapolis Zoo at 12:00pm to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month during the Hispanic Heritage Fiesta. The Indianpolis Zoo is partnering with La Voz de Indiana to provide a fun-filled day. MLJ Adoptions, Inc. is joining in on the celebration in order to embrace ...

MLJ Adoptions’ foreign staff will be traveling to Indianapolis on September 13-16th for staff training and the Crossroads of American Adoption Conference hosted by MLJ Adoptions. MLJ’s entire domestic staff and clients have a unique opportunity to connect in-person with our foreign staff. This is an opportunity that we hope is a great benefit to ...