Words are important. They are so important that infants as young as 6 months old can understand some words, despite being unable to speak. Words also convey both facts and feelings. That is why words have a denotation, or literal meaning, and a connotation, or implication. For example, the phrase “bad apple” literally means a rotten apple, but the implication is that the target of that phrase is a bad person. In the context of adoption, different words can lead to a different perception of the adoption process. They can even influence the decision to place a child for adoption. That is why it is so important to use positive adoption language when describing the adoption process. Here are three quick examples. 1 - The adoption process starts with the decision…
Is Adoption Right for You? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself
You’ve pictured it a thousand times: You sit holding your child, and, as he or she stares up at you with innocent eyes, you vow to love and nurture him or her until your last breath. There’s no doubt that your desire to adopt burns strongly! But it’s important to ask yourself, “Is adoption right for me?” This self-exploration is good! Adoption is forever, an irreversible process that requires a lifelong commitment from everyone involved. You should be questioning yourself. In doing so, if you choose to adopt a baby, you’ll know that you do so for the right reasons. So, how doyou know if adoption is right for you? Adoption Choices of Missouri compiles a list of important questions to ask yourself. We hope they help guide you in determining…
2019 Adoption Tax Credit
Updated Adoption Tax Credit information: Adoption Tax Credit adjusted numbers for 2020. The maximum amount allowed is set at $14,300 per child for 2020 (it was $14,080 in 2019). The tax credit starts to phase out for families with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $214,520, and is completely phased out for families with modified adjusted gross income of $254,520 or more. Reference https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-19-44.pdf With the tax filing season quickly approaching, the Internal Revenue Service recommends taxpayers take time now to determine if they are eligible for important tax credits. Many of our adoptive families will be applying for the Adoption Tax Credit. With that in mind, we have compiled some basic information about the 2019 adoption tax credit Adoption Tax Credit 101 If you have done any research into adoption…
Tips on Caring for a Drug-Exposed Baby
Previously, you were in the midst of an inner battle: Should I adopt this child, a child who has been exposed to drugs during his or her birth mother’s pregnancy? In the end, you committed. You’re now ready to love and parent this child for the rest of your life, no matter the difficulty. But what about the next step – caring for him or her post birth? You need answers! Questions are steadily running through your mind. How will my child behave? What can I do to make him or her more comfortable? What on Earth do I need to prepare for post birth life? Don’t fret! Adoption Choices of Missouri knows that children suffering from withdrawal are often extremely irritable and have a difficult time being calmed. That’s why we…
3 Things Birth Mothers Want Their Children to Know
As an adoptee, you’ve wondered about the why’s of your adoption. Why was I placed for adoption? Why couldn’t my birth mother keep me? Why were my adoptive parents chosen? Why am I struggling with my identity? All in all, you were brought into this world and then raised in it in an “unconventional” way. The curiosity you feel is only natural. While your adoptive parents are able to satisfy most of your questions, there are some left unanswered. Specifically those regarding your birth mother. Whether your adoption is open, semi-open, or closed determines the level of contact you have with her. Regardless, you still wonder. What happened? Did she not want me? Does she even love me? Maybe you have burning questions for her that you’re too afraid to ask.…