Snips Snails and Pigtails

So I missed National Adoption Day. It was on Saturday! As we approach the 1 year Anniversary of our own Princess's Adoption, it brings me great joy to tell you a little about National Adoption Day.

*Traditionally, National Adoption Day is celebrated the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Out of respect for the nation's remembrance of the 45th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, the National Adoption Day Coalition elected to move the celebration of National Adoption Day this year only to the Saturday prior.

I encourage you to revisit a post I made quite some time ago... Myth vs. Reality in Adoption Plus, here are few new ones!


Myth: There are not enough loving families available who want to adopt children from foster care.
Fact: Four in 10 American adults have considered adoption, according to a National Adoption Attitudes Survey funded by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. That translates into more than 80 million Americans.

If only one out of 500 Americans adopted out of the foster care system, the 114,000 available children in foster care would have permanent, loving families.

Research indicates that there are many families that are interested in foster care adoption but that more needs to be done to find ways to connect these families with waiting children. Through National Adoption Day, the Coalition puts a national spotlight on the waiting children in foster care in the hope that more people will take steps to adopt.


Myth: There’s too much red tape and bureaucracy involved in adopting a child from foster care.
Fact: Congress has streamlined the foster care adoption process through enactment of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. This law stipulates that children in foster care, who cannot be reunited with their birth parents, are freed for adoption and placed with permanent families as quickly as possible.


Myth: Adopting a child from Foster Care is expensive.
Fact: Actually, adopting children from foster care is virtually free! Most agencies do not charge for the services they provide to families who are adopting a child from foster care. Congress has also made federal tax credits available for Foster Care Adoptions to offset fees, court costs, legal and travel expenses. In 2003, the Adoption Tax Credit was increased to $10,000!



Myth: Adoptive parents must be a modern version of June and Ward Cleaver.
Fact: Prospective adoptive parents do not have to be rich, married, own a home, or be of a certain race or age to become an adoptive parent (One-third of adoptions from foster care are by single parents). Love, patience, a good sense of humor and the commitment to be a good parent are the most important characteristics.


Myth: All children in Foster Care have some kind of physical, mental or emotional handicap; that's why they're classified as "special needs".
Fact: The term “special needs” is somewhat misleading, because it can mean that the child is older, a minority or requires placement with his/her siblings. While some children are dealing with physical or emotional concerns, just like other children, they need the nurturing support only a permanent family can provide. Many children in foster care are in the “system” because their birth parents weren’t protective and nurturing caretakers—not because the children did anything wrong or because there is something wrong with them.


Myth: Children in Foster Care have too much baggage
Fact: This is one of the biggest myths of all. Children have enormous potential and given love, patience and a stable environment often thrive. Ask former US Senator, Ben Nighthorse Campbell or Minnesota Viking Dante Culpepper. They were both foster children who were adopted by loving, caring familes!

So spread the word! There are resources available to help potential parents take the first step towards adopting out of Foster Care. For more information log on to www.nationaladoptionday.org, www.davethomasfoundation.org, www.adoptUSkids.org, or simply call 1-800-TO-ADOPT.