March 23, 2015
by Maralee
14 Comments
(*Please read the follow-up post with additional information and ways to get your voice heard on this issue.) I have recently been made aware of a change in the family size regulations for foster parents in Nebraska. Previously, it was … Continue reading
March 12, 2015
by Maralee
2 Comments
I remember the wonder I felt when my son Joel was a tiny newborn and I realized just my presence could comfort him. He would cry. I would pick him up. He would stop crying. It seemed like a miracle … Continue reading
February 12, 2015
by Maralee
1 Comment
When people tell me they are considering adoption as a way to grow their family, I encourage them to consider adopting from foster care. There are a lot of benefits to adopting from foster care. It is essentially free and … Continue reading
December 31, 2014
by Maralee
Comments Off on Your Kids Need “Annie”
I’m going to tell you why you should take your kids to see “Annie” (your black kids, brown kids, white kids, foster kids, adopted kids, bio kids, etc.). And I’m going to do it in two words: Punky Brewster. Maybe … Continue reading
December 11, 2014
by Maralee
Comments Off on “Foster Child” Doesn’t Mean “Unwanted Child”
Our first fostering experience was a baptism by fire into the world of child welfare. It was a NICU infant. It was an ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act) case. The family had a lengthy history with the court system. There … Continue reading
November 24, 2014
by Maralee
3 Comments
The journey of adoption through foster care is bittersweet. There are moments of sorrow, grief, frustration, and even anger as you navigate the system. And then there’s the adoption day. It’s a day of beauty and redemption and celebration. While … Continue reading
November 22, 2014
by Maralee
Comments Off on The “Real” Mom
I’ll admit I was shocked when I heard my son use the word “real” to talk about a biological relative. MY son. My beautiful seven year-old boy who had only ever heard adoption sensitive language in our home since he … Continue reading
November 13, 2014
by Maralee
Comments Off on “Are you going to adopt him?”
November is National Adoption Month and as an adoptive parent, it’s a great time to acknowledge the beauty and sweetness of adoption. But as someone who is also a foster parent, I can’t help but think about all the kids … Continue reading
October 15, 2014
by Maralee
2 Comments
*Have a question for me? There’s an email address listed on the “Contact” page here or you can fill out this form.* Hi Maralee, My husband and I have one daughter who is almost three. We’ve had multiple miscarriages, and … Continue reading
October 13, 2014
by Maralee
2 Comments
There are a lot of multitalented people in this world. Sometimes I find myself getting irritated when I read through somebody’s beautiful blog and then realize they ALSO took the beautiful pictures. I am not that girl. I know my … Continue reading