Thanks to their teachers, both of my kids are familiar with Martin Luther King Jr, what he worked for, and the things he said. A few days ago, BE told us that Dr. King’s dream had come true based on this part of his “I Have a Dream” speech: “… little black boys and blackContinue reading “The Unrealized Dream”
Author Archives: shannon2818
An Unfortunate Christmas Tree
For many years, I had a “themed” Christmas tree. Only star shaped ornaments in gold, silver, or white were allowed. The kids first moved in with us at Thanksgiving in 2009 and by the time Christmas came around, there hadn’t been time for them to make any of those homemade ornaments that I knew wouldContinue reading “An Unfortunate Christmas Tree”
Breakdown
J and I still own the house we lived in before we moved to Detroit. It was empty for a few months while we were looking for new renters. One day last month, the kids were off of school and we went there so I could paint one of the rooms. I knew it wasn’tContinue reading “Breakdown”
Open Adoption Interview Project: Meet Camille
Open Adoption Bloggers hosts an annual Open Adoption Interview Project in which bloggers interview each other about – what else – open adoption. This year I was paired up with Camille from Embracing the Odyssey. Continue reading to learn all about Camille and her family (and don’t forget to check out her blog to read herContinue reading “Open Adoption Interview Project: Meet Camille”
A Rare Opportunity
Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to do something most adoptive parents never get to do: I went to my kids’ foster home. For a year and half, BE and BC lived with the L family, not too far from where we live now. We’ve been fortunate enough to keep in touch with theContinue reading “A Rare Opportunity”
Foster Care is Like Chemotherapy
I recently met someone who works to help former prisoners re-integrate into society. I asked her what she would change to improve the system. In response, she talked about the need to provide basic things for young children, such as food, housing, and education. I’ve been interested in the importance of keeping young children withContinue reading “Foster Care is Like Chemotherapy”
Why School Diversity is Important
As Detroit Public School (DPS) students, my kids are a racial minority. However, DPS does have more diversity than most people realize, making it about as racially diverse as the surrounding suburbs. However, my kids’ school (and I suspect other DPS schools as well) have an upper hand when it comes to socioeconomic diversity. InContinue reading “Why School Diversity is Important”
Validating Negativity
Right now, BC is driving me crazy. His behavior and listening skills are lacking and he doesn’t seem to have much empathy. (Now that I think about it, BE had about zero empathy at his age too, but that’s certainly not the case anymore.) I haven’t found a solution, and it’s particularly challenging because he’sContinue reading “Validating Negativity”
Talking about Adoption with an 8-year-old
When BE and I were at the market this summer, she asked me about something that might or might not have happened when she was a baby. I responded, “I don’t know, I guess we’d have to ask your first parents.” This kind of comment in our family isn’t unusual. but that day, BE gaveContinue reading “Talking about Adoption with an 8-year-old”
Three Grandpas, Two Moms, Two Dads
In Michigan, where I live, same sex marriage is illegal. Regardless of how you feel about same sex marriage, I believe our approach should be about what’s best for the children. In my opinion, children benefit from stability, but children adopted by a same sex couple are deprived of that stability. Therefore, for the sakeContinue reading “Three Grandpas, Two Moms, Two Dads”
Shannon Mackie 