I just want to let you know how much I appreciate your videos. I am currently not married and I don't have children, but I do plan to adopt. My original plan was to adopt internationally because basically, I didn't want anyone showing up at my door claiming their child back. Your videos have softened my heart towards domestic and now open adoptions. Thank you so much and please keep making these great videos.
Aw, what an incredible comment to read! Thank you so much for being such an encouragement to me today. I can tell that you would make a fabulous adoptive parent by your sensitivity and willingness to change your views on certain things. Thanks for reaching out!
Open adoption is very important for First Nations children who need a pathway to connect back to their culture, cultural identity, and communities. Having those connections with those communities is equally important to adoptive parents, especially if they are white, who have no context with what it means to be/live as a First Nations person (e.g., worldview, ethnicity, historical/intergenerational trauma, etc.). If you have a closed adoption with First Nations children then you will have to find those connections for your child (e.g., Indian/Indigenous/Aboriginal Friendship Center). The goal is not to "white wash" the life of an Indigenous child. I see these individuals as adults when I teach at the university level. They come to university and it is their first time experiencing their Indigenous cultures and history. It truly messes up their identities. Teach yourselves about your kids about their traditional community (reserve), the treaties connected to their territories, learn the history, connect with a local Indian Friendship Center, bring your kid to cultural events, and find cultural mentors for your children.
Thanks for making this video. We are matched and I am very pro open adoption but I’m still terrified of it. I’m glad this is a safe space to say that. But I’m going to make sure we keep this relationship healthy no matter what.
I know I've shared bits over several of your videos but here are my stories from a birth mother's point of view. I raised my twin daughter's for the first six years of their lives until I had made some bad decisions due to undiagnosed mental health issues, when Children's Aid came to take them away from me a day before their 6th birthdays. It would have been classified as dangerous for my daughters at the time. It has been closed from day one until now, and they are 15 years old now. I have changed since then and so I truthfully pray that they will reach out to me when they're ready. My third daughter is in a private adoption, in an open adoption. I knew when I found out I was pregnant that I couldn't keep her because of how I lost her half sister's. So, early into my pregnancy, I decided to chose adoption for the munchkin, as I didn't know what gender she was until near the end. Once I chose her parents, we were in regular contact via text or email, except phone call when I went into labour. Her parents came to an ultrasound with me and also in the delivery room. My daughter is almost three years old, and I still regularly text or email with her mom and get pictures often. I also get visits twice a year, one visit being with my dad and stepmom, the other is just myself. Her parents have left the openness up to me.
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Sabrina! Your story gives me hope that the birth family of some of my children will also be in a better place in their lives soon so that we can have a more open relationship :)
@@JennLeast I'll keep their birth families in my prayers that they can change for the better and hopefully one day have a relationship with the kids and you guys as parents.
Our kids adoption is closed to bio mom and dad but we have an openness agreement with one of the grandparents and one of their past foster homes. We're struggling with parts of openness, but believe it's in the best interest of the child. Also, I write letters to bio mom and leave them at the CAS if she ever gets in touch...this way she knows how her kids are but we still have no contact and she has no idea our names or where we live
This video was very helpful! It showed me a totally different perspective about open adoption. Every video that i watched regarding this was a little shallow, where the adoptive parents would just say “the more love the better”. Now I have the perspective of helping that child understand their past and also not to create fantasies about their birth family that are not true. Great content. Thanks for sharing!
thank you for sharing this video has opened my eyes in more than one way..i never will have considered open adoption nor i wouldn't understand why it was so important because all i was thinking was my perspective of how i want my family to be raised without considering how relevant is for the adopted child to know about their past..i am from Ontario still need more information,no sure where to start but now i am sure what i want... thanks
This was such a great and informative video. As a prospective adoptive parent, this has definitely answered some questions I have about this transition and how positive an open adoption could be. Thank you
I leave in Australia and I had no choice but to let my beautiful baby boy Dante go into adoption the thought of not seeing my baby ever again broke my heart until these lovely DHS Worker that worked at the hospital I was in mentioned open adoption and I was like what is that and she said you can steal see your baby and I’m like YES I want that as that was the only way I could see my little cute boy Dante however I’m worried once Dante is at the age to go to primary school I want hardly get to see him and that is something on my Mind a lot as you could imagine and I’m just scared if I want be able to see my son at all once his hit that age.
Wow I didn't know about open or closed adoptions and about how now they are mostly open. I actually have 2 cousins that are adopted. Both from the closed system.
Yeah, it's amazing how many people don't know about this. Kind of like it's a taboo subject that's not talked about very often. I guess we should talk about it more!
I’m a grandma of a soon to be adopted 6 year old. I’m in Ontario and this video has helped me so much. My granddaughter is currently living with her foster (she’s amazing and I adore her) and has been for over a year. I know that I will be granted court ordered access to her and I am currently seeing her once a month. I would like that to continue…do you think that is asking too much? Are you involved with the visits? Or will I have her on my own. I do get a lot of information from the CAS permanency workers but it still feels wishy washy. I would be thrilled if you could respond. Thanks again for posting this video. ❤️
Great question, Carolyn. Openness looks different for every family. For, us, 4 times a year (once per season) is more do-able than once per month. As the adoptive parents, we are always at the visits along with our children. We meet somewhere public and fun, like a McDonalds, park, or movie theatre. :)
@@JennLeast Thank you so much for responding. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for something more. This whole situation is really sad but having her with a good home would be the best outcome.
Hey Jenn, could I please have permission to view your entire adoption and foster Playlists? They are coming up as private. Interested in foster to adopt and learning what I can. Thank you
Does the adopter have a choice in the adoptee? I only ask because i was told before that there was no choice in who could be fostered. We do not want to discriminate, rather in our future we see ourselves parenting a ds/ms/cp child. We have no discrimination against any person of colour or creed, we just want to be able to share our family with a disabled child Thank you for this video, its helped my wife and i with our decision after we have our second child💗
I’m in the process of being approved as a foster-to-adopt parent… and we, too, are open to adopting a disabled child. I’ll keep you posted on our experience as it unfolds. Have you made progress with your situation?
So Im 78 years old. I have one question about adoption. I want to adopt one child who is like my son and he is about 24 years old now. Is he eligible for adoption?
I just want to let you know how much I appreciate your videos. I am currently not married and I don't have children, but I do plan to adopt. My original plan was to adopt internationally because basically, I didn't want anyone showing up at my door claiming their child back. Your videos have softened my heart towards domestic and now open adoptions. Thank you so much and please keep making these great videos.
Aw, what an incredible comment to read! Thank you so much for being such an encouragement to me today. I can tell that you would make a fabulous adoptive parent by your sensitivity and willingness to change your views on certain things. Thanks for reaching out!
Open adoption is very important for First Nations children who need a pathway to connect back to their culture, cultural identity, and communities. Having those connections with those communities is equally important to adoptive parents, especially if they are white, who have no context with what it means to be/live as a First Nations person (e.g., worldview, ethnicity, historical/intergenerational trauma, etc.). If you have a closed adoption with First Nations children then you will have to find those connections for your child (e.g., Indian/Indigenous/Aboriginal Friendship Center). The goal is not to "white wash" the life of an Indigenous child. I see these individuals as adults when I teach at the university level. They come to university and it is their first time experiencing their Indigenous cultures and history. It truly messes up their identities. Teach yourselves about your kids about their traditional community (reserve), the treaties connected to their territories, learn the history, connect with a local Indian Friendship Center, bring your kid to cultural events, and find cultural mentors for your children.
Beautifully said.
Thanks for making this video. We are matched and I am very pro open adoption but I’m still terrified of it. I’m glad this is a safe space to say that. But I’m going to make sure we keep this relationship healthy no matter what.
We are waiting to be an adoptive parents too. (Open). Are you from Canada?
I know I've shared bits over several of your videos but here are my stories from a birth mother's point of view.
I raised my twin daughter's for the first six years of their lives until I had made some bad decisions due to undiagnosed mental health issues, when Children's Aid came to take them away from me a day before their 6th birthdays. It would have been classified as dangerous for my daughters at the time. It has been closed from day one until now, and they are 15 years old now. I have changed since then and so I truthfully pray that they will reach out to me when they're ready.
My third daughter is in a private adoption, in an open adoption. I knew when I found out I was pregnant that I couldn't keep her because of how I lost her half sister's. So, early into my pregnancy, I decided to chose adoption for the munchkin, as I didn't know what gender she was until near the end. Once I chose her parents, we were in regular contact via text or email, except phone call when I went into labour. Her parents came to an ultrasound with me and also in the delivery room. My daughter is almost three years old, and I still regularly text or email with her mom and get pictures often. I also get visits twice a year, one visit being with my dad and stepmom, the other is just myself. Her parents have left the openness up to me.
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Sabrina! Your story gives me hope that the birth family of some of my children will also be in a better place in their lives soon so that we can have a more open relationship :)
@@JennLeast I'll keep their birth families in my prayers that they can change for the better and hopefully one day have a relationship with the kids and you guys as parents.
Our kids adoption is closed to bio mom and dad but we have an openness agreement with one of the grandparents and one of their past foster homes. We're struggling with parts of openness, but believe it's in the best interest of the child. Also, I write letters to bio mom and leave them at the CAS if she ever gets in touch...this way she knows how her kids are but we still have no contact and she has no idea our names or where we live
Sounds like our situations are very similar, Carla! It is such a dance to try to do what is right for our children. You are doing an awesome job!
This video was very helpful! It showed me a totally different perspective about open adoption. Every video that i watched regarding this was a little shallow, where the adoptive parents would just say “the more love the better”. Now I have the perspective of helping that child understand their past and also not to create fantasies about their birth family that are not true. Great content. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Isabelle! Great to hear your perspective and I'm really glad this was helpful to you...
thank you for sharing this video has opened my eyes in more than one way..i never will have considered open adoption nor i wouldn't understand why it was so important because all i was thinking was my perspective of how i want my family to be raised without considering how relevant is for the adopted child to know about their past..i am from Ontario still need more information,no sure where to start but now i am sure what i want... thanks
Thank God for your videos and your heart to be willing to share with us. I really appreciate this channel. Have a great Christmas!
Wow, thanks Victoria! Your comments are always so beautiful and kind. God bless you and Merry Christmas!
This was such a great and informative video. As a prospective adoptive parent, this has definitely answered some questions I have about this transition and how positive an open adoption could be. Thank you
So happy this helped you, Sarah! Wishing you so much luck on your adoption journey :)
I leave in Australia and I had no choice but to let my beautiful baby boy Dante go into adoption the thought of not seeing my baby ever again broke my heart until these lovely DHS Worker that worked at the hospital I was in mentioned open adoption and I was like what is that and she said you can steal see your baby and I’m like YES I want that as that was the only way I could see my little cute boy Dante however I’m worried once Dante is at the age to go to primary school I want hardly get to see him and that is something on my Mind a lot as you could imagine and I’m just scared if I want be able to see my son at all once his hit that age.
Wow I didn't know about open or closed adoptions and about how now they are mostly open. I actually have 2 cousins that are adopted. Both from the closed system.
Yeah, it's amazing how many people don't know about this. Kind of like it's a taboo subject that's not talked about very often. I guess we should talk about it more!
Excellent. Thank you.
I’m a grandma of a soon to be adopted 6 year old. I’m in Ontario and this video has helped me so much. My granddaughter is currently living with her foster (she’s amazing and I adore her) and has been for over a year. I know that I will be granted court ordered access to her and I am currently seeing her once a month. I would like that to continue…do you think that is asking too much? Are you involved with the visits? Or will I have her on my own. I do get a lot of information from the CAS permanency workers but it still feels wishy washy. I would be thrilled if you could respond. Thanks again for posting this video. ❤️
Great question, Carolyn. Openness looks different for every family. For, us, 4 times a year (once per season) is more do-able than once per month. As the adoptive parents, we are always at the visits along with our children. We meet somewhere public and fun, like a McDonalds, park, or movie theatre. :)
@@JennLeast Thank you so much for responding. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for something more. This whole situation is really sad but having her with a good home would be the best outcome.
Hey Jenn, could I please have permission to view your entire adoption and foster Playlists? They are coming up as private.
Interested in foster to adopt and learning what I can.
Thank you
Does the adopter have a choice in the adoptee?
I only ask because i was told before that there was no choice in who could be fostered.
We do not want to discriminate, rather in our future we see ourselves parenting a ds/ms/cp child. We have no discrimination against any person of colour or creed, we just want to be able to share our family with a disabled child
Thank you for this video, its helped my wife and i with our decision after we have our second child💗
I’m in the process of being approved as a foster-to-adopt parent… and we, too, are open to adopting a disabled child. I’ll keep you posted on our experience as it unfolds. Have you made progress with your situation?
So Im 78 years old. I have one question about adoption. I want to adopt one child who is like my son and he is about 24 years old now. Is he eligible for adoption?
Can a retired person adopt a child
For sure!
1st view...
Fun!
Hi I am interested to immigrate to Canada and I need someone to talk with him on Skype to practice and improve my English, can you help me, please
Wtf???!!!