Most kids have been back in school for a few weeks now. School started here at the end of August. Charlie is now in the first grade.

When Charlie went to his first day of Kindergarten two years ago I was pretty emotional. Like so many of the moments in open adoption, it was bittersweet. I was of course, excited for Charlie, but at the same time I was well aware of what I was missing.

Also, like many of the moments I have experienced in my adoption, I thought that those moments would be isolated to that year. I thought the feelings I was experiencing were... more

Well last week, because everyone in our house was ill, except for the five year old, who decided to be ill today, we missed the scheduled parent- teacher conferences. Now I can honestly say that I was not really looking forward to the darn things. Of course some of that has to do on some level with adoption. The school has a decided lack of understanding about what I am trying to share with them, concerning the issues adopted children face.

I think my husband and I chose this particular, religious school, with the misguided perception that we would somehow be giving our... more

Today after school I get handed a little note by my fifth-grader that just crashed my mood for the rest of the evening. It was a notice that she will be attending a detention on Monday for “failing to turn in assignments.” Apparently three missed assignments in one day, earns you the detention.

Well one of the papers her father and I were aware of, she had forgotten to bring it home in her folder to complete. The other two papers in question were only missing one answer on each, and this was because her dad was unsure of what the teacher was looking for, so he instructed... more

Now that most families have settled back down into the daily routine of school, and other related activities, the concept of discussing adoption issues with your child’s teachers and classmates must be surfacing again as well. While many parents fully intend to address adoption with their child’s classmates, sometimes it’s knowing where to begin that is most difficult.

Those parent who are in need, are in luck! The recent issue of Adoptive Families Magazine (September/October) is offering up some great fall tips... more

School has been back in session for a few weeks here now, and the difference can surely be appreciated around my house. There are actually days when I can begin a coherent thought, and follow it through to the end now!

I admit that I had some troubling doubts about how well my five year old, my RAD-ish (a term I borrow from one of Nancy Spoolstra’s wonderful readers), would handle the intensity of a long, anxiety filled day. I am very pleased to say that she is actually doing pretty well. She really enjoys and looks... more

I was talking to Charlie on the phone last week asking him about school and what not when he asked me if I wanted to go with his class on a field trip later in September. His Mom always goes as a chaperone and he said I could come with her.

I was a little unsure of what to say. I didn’t know if this was an idea that just popped out of his mouth as he said it or if it was something he had discussed with A. I just said the catch all grown up phrase that you say when you are not sure of something; “We’ll see, Charlie.”

A few minutes later, Charlie was off to play with his dinosaurs... more

Today I was one overwhelmed momma!

My son went to his first day of preschool today, and I found myself walking around in a daze, alone, and wondering what happened to my baby boy. How could it even be possible that this morning I walked out of school, and all three of my children were now officially students? I might have believed that I was well prepared, but frankly it hit me like a freight train.

Of course none of my children ever had a moment of hesitation when that first day of school came. They did not cling... more

Keeping in with my back to school, theme this Love Thursday, I decided to drag out some old photos of the first of day kindergarten!

Do you remember your first day of kindergarten? I don’t! But for most children, it’s the start of a long school career. It’s an exciting (and sometimes scary) day full of new things and new beginnings. Although I don’t remember my own, I bet my mom does. I do remember Noah and Charlie’s though!

If you have been reading this blog very long, then you probably already know who those three kiddos in the... more

Do you remember making a family tree when you were in school? I remember making several family trees over the school years. They were always fun to do and I learned more about different relatives from the past that I did not know.

But, what does an adopted child do when it is time to make a family tree? I’ve actually had this discussion with A before. She has always said that she would love to have any of the genealogy information that we have from when my Dad and I traced our family line. She expressed that in doing a family tree in school that she... more

Although I don’t parent Charlie on a daily basis, I am still involved in his life and can provide him with additional support, love, and encouragement. Since I believe a good education is so important and it was so important to me growing up, I like to encourage Charlie to do well in school too.

Some ways that I encourage Charlie in his education and ways that other birthmothers could encourage their child or children in his or her education are listed below.

1. Before the start of a new school year, send your child a card or a note in the... more