August 31, 2010 by Arleta James
Why Love Isn’t Enough: Part Eight – Genetics
This is another in a series of posts on related challenging topics. You may want to print this post or others in the series (Introduction, Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven.) Study them, returning to them over time. Review the resources that are embedded within the articles. Keep them handy! They will make valuable references post-adoption. As you educate yourself, ask, “What does this information mean for me as the parent?” “What will this mean for the children I already parent?” “What does this mean for the child I am adopting?”
The topic of genetics brings us to the “nature vs. nurture” debate. Certainly, there seems to be agreement that traits—a notable feature or quality in a person—are often passed from generation to generation (Learn.Genetics™, online.) There are physical traits that are inherited—hair color, eye color, height, etc. There are heritable traits that predispose us to an increased risk of getting diseases like sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, heart disease, cancer and certain types of mental illness. Studies of twins who have been separated at birth and raised apart show that many have similar behavioral traits in the areas of food preferences, fashion, political beliefs, religious participation and so on (Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research, online.)
Yet, the environmental influences in our lives are just as important in shaping our traits, and sometimes these environmental factors can even change a trait (Learn.Genetics™, online)! So, the nature vs. nurture debate is far less dichotomous today! This is fabulous news for adoptive parents!
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Tags: ADHD adopted children, ADHD adopted kids, ADHD adoption, adopted kids addiction, adoption education, drug addiction adoption, drug and alcohol addiction adopted kids, drug use adoption, genetic testing adopted children, genetic testing adopted kids, genetic testing adoption, genetics adopted children, genetics adopted kids, genetics adoption, intelligence adopted kids, intelligence adoption, IQ adopted children, IQ adopted kids, IQ adoption, post-institutionalization IQ, post-institutionalized children adoption IQ, post-institutionalized children school, pre-adoption preparation Posted in Getting Ready | 1 comment »
August 30, 2010 by Arleta James
Why Love Isn’t Enough: Part Seven – Attachment
This is another in a series of posts on related challenging topics. You may want to print this post or others in the series (Introduction, Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six.) Study them, returning to them over time. Review the resources that are embedded within the articles. Keep them handy! They will make valuable references post-adoption. As you educate yourself, ask, “What does this information mean for me as the parent?” “What will this mean for the children I already parent?” “What does this mean for the child I am adopting?”
“Is there anyone for whom the past doesn’t shape the present?” (Siegel, 1999)
Touch is critical to human development (Perry & Szalavitz, 2006). Loving touch sets in motion a healthy attachment. Attachment, in turn, is the context in which all development—cognitive, social, emotional, physical and neurological—becomes possible. In essence, our attachment to a nurturing caregiver sets in motion all facets of our human development.
Attachment, in family life, is also the blueprint for all subsequent close relationships. Attachment is a relationship (Gray, 2002.)
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Tags: abandonment, adopted children history of trauma, adopted kids history of trauma, adoptee, Adopting the Hurt Child: Hope for Families with Special Needs Kids, Adoption, adoption education, adoption parenting, Adoptive Parenting, ambivalent attachment, attachment behaviors adopted kids, attachment behaviors adoption, attachment parenting, attachment parenting adopted children, attachment parenting adopted kids, attachment styles, avoidant attachment, complex trauma, cycle of needs, cycle of needs attachment adoption, disorganzied attachment, domestic adoption, effects post institutionalization, impact of orphanage life, insecure attachment, intercountry adoption, international adoption, older child adoption, post adoption support, post institutionalization, post institutionalization adopted kids, post institutionalization impact, post institutionalized adoptees, post institutionalized adoption attachment, post-adoption, pre-adoption preparation, Reactive Attachment Disorder, secure attachment, signs symptoms Reactive Attachment Disorder, special needs adoption, The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family, Theraplay, Toddler Adoption: The Weavers Craft, www.ATTACh.org Posted in Attachment, Getting Ready | 2 comments »
August 30, 2010 by Evelina Weidman Sterling
WANTED: The Absolute Best Infertility Websites Out There
This weekend, as part of my never-ending search for all things fertility-related, I did a quick Google search for “The Best Fertility/Infertility Websites.” Did you know nothing came up? Nada. Zip. Apparently, no one has come up yet with the ultimate comprehensive list on online resources. Wow! This is surprising to me, especially since when you type the word “infertility” into Google, over 48 MILLION hits pop up. How in the world is someone supposed to wade through this immense mountain of information? Is this an opportunity I see? With all the stuff out there now (both good and bad), this seems like a great idea…a kind of annotated online bibliography, directory or cheat sheet for where to go for the absolute best information about anything within the field of fertility. So I say–let’s all work together and start one!
RIGHT NOW, in the comments section of this blog, please post your favorite fertility/infertility websites. Most importantly, include information about why this site is so great, what you like most about it., and/or how it has helped you or others in the journey to have a child. Since I don’t want this to be just another random list, please be SPECIFIC as to the UNIQUE contribution of each site suggested—why does it stand out among everything else on the Internet? The site can be yours, a friend or colleague’s, or just one you find yourself returning to again and again. Websites can include personal blogs, professional blogs, information/educational sites, clinic sites, industry or other professional sites, non-profit organizations, online videos…you name it! And because infertility is such a complex issue, let’s open it up to all aspects of family building, including adoption, loss, and infertility.
If you all will help me get this started, I will do my best to organize it, including categories and brief descriptions along with any other user-friendly bells and whistles to assist you in finding the information you need as easily and quickly as possible. I think this could be fun…and helpful for all of us, especially for those just getting started or with very specific questions. Is everyone with me on this?
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