Same Old Same Old

We recently got a brief update from CHSFS about the happenings in Ecuador.

• Quito Committee met on 2/11 but did not make any referrals.
• None of the 3 regional committees have made referrals in 2011, including for Ecuador nationals (domestic adoptions)
• Most offices in Ecuador will be closed March 5-10 for Carnival
• Government offices in Ecuador will be closed April 22 and 23 for Semana Santa or Holy Week
• The CHSFS in-country representative is requesting a meeting of all the committees (but I won't be holding my breath for that).

It's the same thing almost every month-Why the committees did not meet, etc. etc. My frustration goes far beyond just waiting for our referral. I think about all those children who could be placed in their forever families but they have to wait because a group of people can't get their acts together, do what they have to do, and start putting these children's first.

Childproofing

A couple of weeks ago I got word of a family from one of the online groups I belong to who received a referral from Ecuador. It was very refreshing to see that things are on the move again. But at the same time it brought on a little bit of anxiety. This waiting game is like something that I have never experienced before....its hard to explain all the emotions that one feels during this part of the journey. I am very thankful that I have had the distraction of a new job to keep me busy during this time. Hearing about a family that will soon travel and be united with their child made me realize that we are no where near being ready to travel to meet our child. There is so much to do! We could get a phone call tomorrow and then need to travel within 4 weeks. We are limited in a some of the preparation since we have not idea of the gender or age of our child yet. So I have been trying to think of all the things we could do to prepare for our little one.
One thing we need/can do is childproofing our house. So I'm putting this out there...What do we need to do? How do we go about doing this? I have been so busy reading about adoption topics that I have not educated myself on the general topics of raising a toddler.

Positive Adoption Language

The way we talk and the words we choose say a lot about what we think and value. When we use positive adoption language, we say that adoption is a way to build a family just as birth is. Both are important, but one is not more important than the other. Choosing the following positive adoption language instead of the negative talk that helps perpetuate the myth that adoption is second best. By using positive adoption language, you will reflect the true nature of adoption, free of innuendo.

Positive Language-------------------Negative Language
Birth parent---------------------------- Real parent
Biological parent------------------------Natural parent
Birth child------------------------------Own child
My child--------------------------------Adopted child
Born to unmarried parents--------------Illegitimate
Terminated parental rights-------------Given up
Make an adoption plan------------------Give away
To parent-------------------------------To keep
Waiting child----------------------------Adoptable child
Biological or birthfather-----------------Real father
Making contact with--------------------Reunion
Parent----------------------------------Adoption parent
Intercountry adoption------------------Foreign adoption
Adoption triad--------------------------Adoption triangle
Permission to sign a release-------------Disclosure
Search----------------------------------Track down parents
Child place for adoption-----------------An unwanted child
Court termination----------------------Child taken away
Child with special needs----------------Handicapped child
Child from abroad----------------------Foreign child
Was adopted---------------------------Is adopted

*From Adoptive Family Magazine*