Depending upon the agency you choose for your adoption, you may be required to undergo post-placement visits. Our agency requires two visits, and we had our first one today.

Post-placement visits are intended to assess how well both the adopted children and the adoptive parents are adjusting to their new family life. Because the goal is framed as a positive one – to keep families together and avoid disruptions – your social worker is a valuable resource.

Our social worker found that things were progressing amazingly well for only four weeks at home. She was pleased that we had already put so many things into place already and accessed many needed services: the children have... more

I’ve been devouring books by Deborah D. Gray. I bought her Attaching in Adoption awhile back, based on the phenomenal reviews I got online and from people I knew. Because I had so many other books that were recommended to me, in addition to all the pre-adoption preparation I was going though at the time, I set the book aside.

This week, I came across Ms. Gray’s latest book, Nurturing Adoptions, and I snapped it up. Hubby and I feel at such a loss as to how to handle the profound issues our daughter has, and this book seemed to have answers. It does... more

Today was truly a Love Thursday at Casa Stro! From the moment they got up, my sons were glued at the hip. They played (nicely!) together; they had a mock rock concert with dueling guitars, and my youngest watched my oldest in awe during Lego Robotics FLL Team Practice today. Interspersed throughout the day were liberal, “Hey, Buddy!” “You’re my Buddy!” and “I love you, Buddy!” comments from one to the other. While the “buddies” declared their love for each other, they would lay their heads on the other’s shoulders... more

You have adopted an older child into your Christian family from the foster care system or an orphanage abroad. The child has never been to church, which has been our experience with most of our foster children. You would like your new child to learn the stories and verses that you may have grown up hearing, a foundation for faith. You would also like your child to get excited about doing it. You want your child to meet other Christian children and make new friends with similar thinking families.

Your new children may be lonely. They are probably missing their friends... more

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10b)

Where on earth have I been, you may have asked? Well, Friday marked one month since the adoption was finalized. I’d love to say that we’re thriving, but in all honesty, we’re in survival mode. I know adjustment - grand adjustment of this magnitude – takes time. The kids are dealing with separation from their foster family, a move approximately 2,000 miles away, a new home, new friends a new church family, a new pet – so much! The rest of us are adjusting to having our family... more

Have you thought about your daughter’s purity? Don’t wait until it is time to begin dating to discuss the subject, as uncomfortable as it may be. Don’t just assume your daughter will know what to do in a pressure situation, if you haven’t helped her to plan her actions. This can be especially important if your daughter was exposed to questionable activities prior to her adoption.

My sisters-in-the-Lord threw a book shower for Amigrace when we brought her home. One of the books we received was The Princess and the Kiss, by Jennie Bishop. My friend said that she and her... more

How carefully did you look at the name you chose for your newborn when you decided to adopt? Did you dissect the name to see what possible combinations people could come up with from it? Apparently, we didn’t look close enough. Now what should we do? Is an emergency name change or spelling change in order?

We spent months coming up with our daughter’s name. We wanted a name that had real meaning behind it. We chose a special name for our daughter that reflected our joy to an answer to years of prayer. The name we chose also reflected our family heritage. How... more

Do you think that those who pray are more likely then others to seek out special needs children to adopt? Do parents who do not pray, later seek out a higher authority for strength and perseverance after parenting a special needs child? Do those without the power of prayer to help them through the tough times end up choosing not to parent traumatized children?

I have had conversations with hundreds of foster and adoptive families of special needs children over the 14 years that we have been licensed foster parents.... more

We all like to think about the warm fuzzy part of parenting while we are waiting to be chosen to adopt. If your chosen child is an infant, there will be lots of snuggle time before you need to think about discipline. If your chosen child is older, then you will need to think about discipline immediately, and how to do it.

Is discipline really necessary, and if it is, Why? The Bible is full of parenting advice for us to consider.

Proverbs 3:11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not... more

We’ve been home for a week and a half now. Though there have been some very dicey moments with regard to my daughter’s emotional health and its disruption to the family dynamic at times, I have to say that overall, this Love Thursday finds us with harmony in the home!

We’ve gone to homeschool park day, and the kids spent a great deal of time together with minimal “fussing” at each other. Ditto for a few other family outings - in fact, a few of these outings have been downright pleasant! The kids have exhibited “fancy manners” (our code phrase for remember to be polite), and have really been... more