Adoption & the Media

It has come to my attention that there will be an expose' run about an adoption agency in the State of Georgia. The particular agency has had a series of complaints and while it is within a consumers' right to lodge complaints, I grow tired of the public taking their personal fights to the media. Sadly, I have yet to see the media present an objective story on adoption. What generally occurs is they go for the "newsworthy" ugly side of the adoption story which then creates fear, panic and a horrendous storm of myths.

Recently an adoption attorney friend of ours said that he sees this cycle every 7 years. An once 1 story hits the media, it take approximatley 7 years for those of us who do practice ethical adoption standards to recover.

So, you are getting my personal opinion. Voicing complaints about specific adoption providers through the newspapers, TV or the Internet is injurious to many of us who strive so hard to disspell myths and help create positive adoption experience.

Welcome Springtime

As everyone knows, Spring is the time of new birth, beautiful color, and fresh breezes. In the world of adoption, Spring also tends to bring a burst of new births! Many of our client families who have waited through the dark days of winter are excited about embracing the news that they are "matched" or their baby is born.

If you are one of the many adoptive families awaiting to hear your own news, remember to exercise patience and understanding. The decision by a birth parent to make an adoption plan is not an easy choice. It is fraught with personal dynamics that are beyond the reach of most adoptive families to understand. Our lives always intersect through the birth of the child. It is not uncommon for two families of completely different backgrounds, religions and socio-economic levels to find a common ground centered in the life of a child.

So as you look at your gardens and see the burst of color and new flowers, try to imagine that as a symbol of the burst of life that awaits you. You cannot coax a flower to bloom, it appears in due time. Why would anyone expect the birth of a child to be any different than the long time it takes for a bulb to germinate and bloom in your Spring garden?

May all who read this enjoy the beauty of Spring and embrace the importance of waiting for the good news that life brings to your world.

Creating Families

One of the great perks in working with families in their adoption journey is helping to a create a family. The family's journey isn't always easy and at times it can feel overwhelming. But in the end, a family is made whole. A baby is brought home and all of the ups and downs of the adoption journey are made worthwhile.

I love getting those first pictures of the baby. Seeing this tiny little person being held by his or her mom or dad just warms my heart. Hearing the story of the first time the parents held their new son or daughter never gets old. It is worth telling over and over again.

This past week, one of my client families flew to Oklahoma to meet their son. The joy in their voices as we talk on the phone is evident. The laughter and delight as they tell me about their experiences permeates each conversation. They are parents. And life feels very good.

Adoption Day

Our family is getting ready to celebrate our son's fifth adoption day in just a few weeks. It's amazing how quickly time has passed and yet, I can remember meeting our little guy for the first time just as if it were yesterday. Our seven year old son was born in Guatemala and we waited an agonizing 14 months for his homecoming. The wait was long, but well worth it and here we are five years later enjoying every minute of life together.

Adoption Day is a chance to celebrate how your family was put together. It's an opportunity to remember the amazing gift your child is to you. For us, it's also a chance to remember our son's birthmother and his foster mother in Guatemala. Re-telling the stories of his homecoming and watching videos of our time in Guatemala are fun ways we spend the day.

The best part of Adoption Day? Tucking our little man in bed at night, giving him a hug and a kiss and knowing that our family is complete.

Charlie Marquardt

Happy Valentine's Day

For all of you waiting for your cherubs through adoption ... hold special thoughts .. send up prayers ... realize that one day soon you will be celebrating this day as a family.

For all of you home with your angels ... give them a special hug, praise them, and thank your children for the lovely gift their presence has brought to your family.

For all of you considering adoption ... from the bottom of my HEART, I wish you a joyful journey and my special wish for you to make a decision to bring a child home to a permanent family.

Sincerely, Diane

My Favorite Quote ... Mothers hold their children's hands for awhile; their hearts, forever!

What's going on????

So often we receive phone calls from families inquiring about the trends in adoption. Since all of our consultants are members of the greater adoption triad (birth parents, adoptive parents or adoptees), we have a unique finger on the pulse of the adoption community. We work with agencies and attorneys throughout the US and make it our highest priority to keep updated on adoption law changes as well as adoption trends.

I started A Step Ahead Adoption Services (ASA) ten years ago (formerly called Step-by-Step Adoption Consultants)as an outgrowth of my family's own personal adoption experience. While I was surrounded by wonderful adoption professionals who knew adoption law, adoption practice, and provided excellent education ... I found the ongoing emotional support element lacking. ASA consultants spend between 60-100 hours per client through their adoption procedure. Most of our client families come to us through personal referrals. We are indebted to our client families who continue to reward our efforts with their ongoing recommendations. If you are a current or former ASA family ... we thank you for being a part of our family!

Welcome to the ASA blog! We are glad you are here and hope that you will find the blog posts helpful, educational, and most importantly, encouraging. Adoption is an amazing journey but it is not without bumps in the road. It always helps to know that there are others who have walked this way before and can help you navigate your way through the ins and outs of adoption.