Rules and Laws when adopting step children

Adoption from abroad: be sure you understand all the rules and regulations before packing up that cat to bring back home. Here's why.(Helpful Hints): An article from: Cat Watch

When you are in a relationship with someone, you may end up making a decision that will change the legal custody over the children. If you happen to decide that you will want to adopt the children, then you will want to take the following inconsideration before you begin the process. 

First, you should know that the rules of adoption vary from state to state. Before making any decisions in the adoption, you will want to do your research and check all of the state laws pertaining to adopting of a partner's children.  Secondly, you need to know that in most states you cannot adopt a child unless both of that child's parents agree to it. Meaning, that the child that you would like to adopt, has to be available for adoption under the local laws. Your partner must declare that they want you to be the other parent to their child. Also, the other parent of that child must also agree to this. If the other parent of your partner's child is dead, you can legally adopt that child as long as your partner agrees to it. If the other parent is alive, you will want to make sure that they give up all their custody rights. 

After all of the consideration, if you decide that you would like to adopt the children, then there are several things that you should do. First, you are going to want to act like the child's parent. Remember, if your partner and you end up breaking up, you still have to take responsibility of the child. That also includes if your partner dies, then you will end up with the custody of the child. You will want to make sure that you do what is best for the child and the best for you. Also, you will want to take the child's feelings into consideration. You will want to make sure that if they have a parent that has died; you may end up getting spiteful actions from the child if you adopt them too quickly. They might feel like you are trying to replace their parent. You should always make sure that the adoption is for the best interest of the child and everyone else who is involved and that you are going what everyone would like you to do.

Adoption rights granted to unmarried N.Y. couples.(Brief Article): An article from: Trial

Adoption expenses credit: foreign-born child.: An article from: The Tax Adviser

Foster Child Adoption

Foster children present a very unique situation for
prospective parents. Foster children have either been given
up by their parents or placed in the system by a government
agency for one reason or another.

Foster children often move from parents to parents
throughout their lives due to behavioral or other issues
such as not fitting in with the adoptive parents lifestyle.

To consider adopting a foster child you really need to know
what is in store beforehand.

Before considering foster child adoption, you have to take
a hard look at yourself and what you expect out of a child
as well as visit an agency that handles adoptions of this
type.

They will usually sit down and explain the entire process
to you. The entire thing is very long and it will be a
while before a child comes to your house.

The agency will have files on a number of children you can
look over. Usually the stories that accompany the children
are sad, especially for older children.

There is often a history of behavioral, emotional, or
mental problems. This could be due to illnesses or abuse.

The age of the foster child is very important as well. Many
foster children grow older and haven’t been placed so it
can be hard or even impossible for them to accept you as a
true parent.
Maybe Days: A Book for Children in Foster Care
Trust is much harder to gain in an older child than it is
with a newborn or toddler.

The benefits of foster child adoption are many. You get to
provide a stable life for a child and develop a very
special relationship that might reach parent-child stage
over time. This can be one of the most rewarding things in
the world.
LifeBooks : Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child
Child Custody, Foster Care, and Adoptions

Constructing Your Child's Healthy Sense of Self Esteem

Your Child's Health: The Parents' One-Stop Reference Guide to: Symptoms, Emergencies, Common Illnesses, Behavior Problems, and Healthy Development

Your child's self esteem is their mental foundation. A self-assured child is confident, secure, happy, well-adjusted and successful. They can solve problems that come their way, and it thrives under a loving parent's nurturing care. 

What are some good ways to built self esteem in your child? 

Most importantly, accept your child for who they are, and help them do the same. Teach your child that nobody is perfect, and that everyone makes mistakes. Show them how to learn and grow from their mistakes, and let them know that you also make mistakes.   Children with high self esteem are able to take lessons from mistakes and apply them down the road.  A child with low self esteem become frustrated and resort to self-depreciating behavior, such as calling themselves 'stupid' and vowing to 'never try that again.' 

Help your child discover their abilities and talents, and encourage outlets for them to build on and improve them.  Praise a child not only for improvements in abilities and skills, but also for the traits they naturally possess. Child Health Nursing: Partnering with Children and Families (2nd Edition)

Encourage your child to make positive choices.  Open an honest dialog with your child and discuss the possibilities with them.  Children who learn skills for making positive choices when they are younger are well-prepared for the tougher choices they have to make when they are older. 

Ensure that you spend lots of quality time with your child, at least once a week. Whether you are shooting baskets or going out to grab a hamburger, take time to talk and keep in touch.  If you find it difficult to squeeze in quality time during a hectic week, take the time to talk about things during the drive to school or while they are helping you put the groceries away. 

Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child

    

Crafting with Kids

Most children love to do craft projects, and this can be a fun way to teach them new things.  There are endless possibilities to how you can do this.  Begin gathering supplies that they can use when they would like to.  Here are a few suggestions.

Start collecting objects that can be reused.  Small baby food containers, empty toilet rolls, twist ties from bread bags, small cardboard boxes, and old birthday cards are some ideas.  Put them in a box with some markers, glue, scissors, and heavy cardstock and let your child’s imagination flow.

Teach them about volcanoes and then make a volcano from clay or playdough.  You can make a playdough that you can dry, or simply reuse when finished.  Or get some paint and paper and create a volcano through painting.  Volcanoes are just one idea; you could use any subject to teach through crafts.

Scrapbooking is a fun activity with kids and can be really simple.  Find some items that they can add to a scrapbook, like the confetti from their birthday party, the cards they received, and a balloon.  Use these objects to decorate the scrapbook page and include the pictures from their party.  Show them how to journal to help them record their thoughts from that event.

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Crafting with Kids (Teach Yourself VISUALLY Consumer)

Make a craft box with different types of crafts they can use.  Include paper, markers, crayons, paints, glues, tape, wood sticks, and other items.  Back to school sales are a great time to stock up on some of these supplies.

Allowing your kids to create with crafts gives them an outlet for the creativity that we want to bloom inside.  Make sure you marvel at their creation, and they will love you for it.

Every Day's a Holiday: Year-Round Crafting with Kids

What Shall We Do Today?