An adoption story
Today was a day I never expected. Very early on in Lakendrick’s case his mom asked if I wanted to adopt someday. I told her “yes,” but I knew it wasn’t going to be him. Because I really didn’t believe … Continue reading →
Category Archives: Family
Dancing with Cinderella: A foster dad and his daughters
In a previous life I was a wedding reception DJ, so I know the power of a song played at just the right moment — like “The Twist” followed by “Play That Funky Music,” just when grandma decides to come out … Continue reading →
Mommy, I’m different: What I learned from my son
“Mommy, I can’t find a skin-color crayon.” When my 4-year-old son, Robert, spoke these words a couple months ago, my heart froze in place for a moment. … Continue reading →
Dad is more than just a name: The extraordinary role of the foster parent
It can be hard to recognize who you were before you became a foster parent. If I would ask my husband who he was before fostering, he would probably respond, “I was not this tore up!” Unfortunately, it is easier … Continue reading →
Working with birth parents can be tough but rewarding
Someone asked recently if it bothered me when our adopted son calls his birth mother “mom.” I confidently answered that it does not bother me. However, this was not always the case. When we started our journey to becoming foster parents, … Continue reading →
My experience as a same-sex foster parent
As a two-mom household, we have always been concerned about our children facing discrimination because their parents are lesbians. Recently, Shay (our 6-year-old adopted son) was told he could not have two mommies by a classmate. He informed his peer that … Continue reading →
What to say to a foster family
We’ve all experienced those awkward situations where we don’t know what to say and we are at a loss for words. When we find ourselves in those situations, there are a couple ways we respond. Too often we say nothing, or we … Continue reading →
DuKatz family to be honored with the 2015 Adoption Excellence Award
We are proud of all of the foster adoptive parents we work with through Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Community Services, but today we want to spotlight one special couple who was recognized nationally for their efforts. Betsy and Gene DuKatz … Continue reading →
Communicating with biological parents: Be a part of the whole story
As a teacher, nowhere in my contract does it say I have to meet with parents outside of the workday, send texts, emails, notes, letters or call them on the phone. As a teacher, I cannot imagine it any other … Continue reading →
Confessions from a “trauma momma”
We first met our daughter when she was 3 months old – a tiny, bald, screaming-at-the-top-of-her-lungs little baby. She was scared, she didn’t recognize the voices she was hearing or the new smells of someone else’s home, or this other … Continue reading →