Famous People Affected by Adoption

To go along with our blog on celebrities and adoption, here is a lot of famous people who were adopted, have adopted, or made the loving choice to place a child for adoption. It’s so interesting to see who these adopted children became and the lives that are lived by all after making such a decision. Enjoy!

FAMOUS BIRTH PARENTS

Roseanne Barr (actress)
David Crosby (musician)
Faith Ireland (state judge)
Andy Kaufman (comedian)
Jackie "Moms" Mabley (comedienne)    Tug McGraw (professional baseball)
Joni Mitchell (singer)
Kate Mulgrew (actress)
Mercedes Ruehl (actress)
Jack Wagner (actor)      
       
FAMOUS ADOPTED CHILDREN

Kate Adie (journalist)
Edward Albee (playwright)
Maya Angelou (poet and author)
John J. Audubon (naturalist)
Michael Bay (director)
Tallulah Bankhead (actress)
Layne Beachley (surfer)
Lynda Bellingham (actress)
Ingrid Bergman (actress)
Andy Berlin (co-founder of ad agency Berlin Camerson & Partners)
James Best (actor)
Les Brown (motivational speaker)
Surya Bonaly (professional skater)
Richard Burton (actor)
Senator Robert Byrd
Augustus Caesar (emporer of Rome)
Truman Capote (author)
Harry Caray (baseball broadcaster)
Peter Carruthers (professional skater)
Kitty Carruthers (professional skater)
Kristin Chenoweth (actress)
Eric Clapton (singer)
President Bill Clinton
Lynette Cole (Miss USA 2000)
Nat King Cole (singer)
Gary Coleman (actor)
Daunte Culpepper (professional football)
Rachel Crow (X Factor contestant)
Faith Daniels (TV news personality)
Ted Danson (actor, adopted child and adoptive father)
Tommy Davidson (comedian)
Toby Dawson (professional skier)
Eric Dickerson (professional football)
Bo Diddley (musician)
Carl Theodore Dreyer (filmmaker)
Larry Ellison (co-founder and CEO of Oracle)
Clarissa Pinkola Estes (poet)
President Gerald Ford
Jamie Foxx (singer, actor)
Scott Fujita (professional football)
Tim Green (professional football)
Jonathon Gilbert (actor)
Melissa Gilbert (actress)
Newt Gingrich (politician)
Faith Hill (singer)
Scott Hamilton (professional skater)
John Hancock (U.S. Founding Father)
Debbie Harry (singer)
Reese Hoffa (Olympic shot putter)
Jesse Jackson (politician)    Steve Jobs (co-founder of Apple)
Eartha Kitt (singer, actress)
Matthew Laborteaux (actor)
Patrick Laborteaux (actor)
John Lennon (singer)
Representative Jim Lightfoot
Allan "apl.de.ap" Pineda Lindo, jr. (singer, member of Black Eyed Peas)
Art Linkletter (TV personality)
Ray Liotta (actor)
Charlotte Lopez (actress and Miss Teen USA 1993)
Greg Louganis (Olympic Gold Medal Diver)
Malcolm X (human rights activist)
Lee Majors (actor)
Nelson Mandela (human rights activist)
Nimmy March (actress)
James MacArthur (actor)
Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels (musician)
Frances McDormand (actress)
Tim McGraw (singer)
Sarah McLachlan (singer)
James Michener (author)
Tom Monaghan (founder of Domino's Pizza, owner of Detroit Tigers)
Lucy Maud Montgomery (author)
Marilyn Monroe (actress)
Moses (biblical leader)
Mother Teresa (humanitarian)
Alonzo Mourning (professional basketball)
Dan O'Brien (Olympic gold medalist, decathalon)
Hugh O'Connor (actor)
Michael Oher (professional football, story inspired The Blind Side)
Jim Palmer (professional baseball)
Aaron Parchem (Olympic figure skater)
Lorraine Pascale (model, author and chef)
Dana Plato (actress)
Edgar Allen Poe (author)
Nicole "Snookie" Polizzi (TV personality)
Priscilla Presley (actress)
Michael Reagan (President Reagan's son)
First Lady Nancy Reagan
Nicole Richie (TV personality)
Wilson Riles (educator)
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt
Victoria Rowell (actress)
Buffy Sainte-Marie (singer)
Paull Shin (state senator)
Dave Thomas (founder of Wendy's, children's advocate)
Leo Tolstoy (author)
Dr. Ruth Westheimer (media personality, sex therapist)
Mayor Anthony Williams (Washington, D.C. politician)
Jett Williams (singer)
       
       
FAMOUS ADOPTIVE PARENTS

Babe Ruth (professional baseball)
Brooke Adams (actress)
Gracie Allen (comedienne)
Woody Allen (director)
Kirstie Alley (actress)
Loni Anderson (actress)
Julie Andrews (actress)
Eve Arden (actress)
Rodney Atkins (singer)
Josephine Baker (actress)
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Pearl Bailey (singer/actress)
John Battle (professional baseball)
Harry Belafonte (singer)
Regina Belle (singer)
Secretary of Treasury Lloyd Bentsen
Milton Berle (actor)
Larry Bird (professional basketball)
Taurean Blacque (actor)
Erma Bombeck (humorist)
May Britt (actress)
Connie Britton (actress)
Charles Bronson (actor)
Denise Scott Brown (architect)
Governor Sam Brownback
Art Buchwald (humorist)
Sandra Bullock (actress)
George Burns (comedian)
Ellen Burstyn (actress)
Kirk Cameron (actor)
Roy Campanella (professional baseball)
Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Kate Capshaw (actress)
Kitty Caruthers (professional skater and adopted child)
Joelle Carter (actress)
Nell Carter (actress)
Billy Casper (professional golf)
Jim Caviezel (actor)
Steven Curtis Chapman (singer)
Rt. Hon. Jean and Aline Chretien (Prime Minister of Canada)
Connie Chung (TV personality)
Joan Crawford (actress)
Sheryl Crow (singer)
Tom Cruise (actor)
Jamie Lee Curtis (actress0
Ted Danson (actor and adopted child)
Linda Darnell (actress)
Bette Davis (actress)
Kristin Davis (actress)
Sammy Davis, Jr. (entertainer)
Viola Davis (actress)
John Denver (singer)
Bill Delahunt (state senator)
Oscar de la Renta (fashion designer)
Delilah (radio personality)
John DeLorean (industrialist)
Cecil B. DeMille (director)
Joan Didion (author)
Walt Disney (creator of Disney)
Patty Duke (actress)
Faye Dunaway (actress)
John Gregory Dunne (author)
Christine Ebersole (actress)
Dale Evans (actress)
Edie Falco (actress)
Peter Falk (actor)
Mia Farrow (actress)
Joely Fisher (actress)
Calista Flockhart (actress)
Henry Fonda (actor)
Jane Fonda (actress)
Joan Fontaine (actress)
Connie Francis (singer)
Dawn French (actress)
Robert Fulghum (author)
Teri Garr (actress)
Willie Garson (actor)
Andy Griffith (actor)
Christopher Guest (screenwriter)
Lou Gossett, Jr. (actor)
Karen Grassle (actress)
Mariska Hargitay (actress)
Valerie Harper (actress)
Helen Hayes (actress)
Katherine Heigl (actress)
Senator Jesse Helms
Tony Hillerman (author)
Bob and Delores Hope (comedian/singer)
Cindy Hsu (TV personality)
Senator Gordon Humphrey
Al Hunt (journalist)
Jill Ireland (actress)    Hugh Jackman (actor)
Kate Jackson (actress)
Magic Johnson (professional basketball)
Angelina Jolie (actress)
Diane Keaton (actress)
David Kelley (TV producer)
Josh Kelley (musician)
Nicole Kidman (actress)
Jill Krementz (author)
Kris Kristofferson (singer)
Patti LaBelle (singer)
Hedy Lamarr (actress)
Michael Landon (actor)
Senator Mary Landrieu
Representative Jim Leach
Jerry Lewis (entertainer)
George Lucas (director)
Charles MacArthur (actor)
Madonna (singer)
Dan Marino (professional football)
Harpo Marx (comedian)
Willie Mays (professional baseball)
Senator John and Cindy McCain
Ewan McGregor
Ed McMahon (TV personality)
Richard King Mellon (president of Mellon Bank)
Gary Merrill (actor)
Donna Mills (actress)
Representative Connie Morella
Al Neuharth (journalist)
Paul Newman (actor)
Wayne Newton (singer)
Chelsea Noble (actress)
Representative Anne Northrup
Carroll O'Connor (actor)
Rosie O'Donnell (actress and TV personality)
Ozzy Osbourne (singer)
Sharon Osbourne (TV personality)
Marie Osmond (singer)
Mary-Louis Parker (actress)
Estelle Parsons (actress)
Michelle Pfeiffer (actress)
Brad Pitt (actor)
Representative Earl Pomeroy
Paula Poundstone (comedienne)
Maury Povich (TV personality)
Kirby Puckett (professional baseball)
Sarah Purcell (TV personality)
Sally Jessy Raphael (TV personality)
President Ronald Reagan
Burt Reynolds (actor)
Denise Richards (actress)
Lionel Richie (singer)
John G. Roberts (Supreme Court Justice)
Roy Rogers (actor)
Al Roker (TV personality)
Linda Ronstadt (singer)
Isabella Rossellini (model, actress)
Susan Ruttan (actress)
Meg Ryan (actress)
Tony Shaloub (actor)
Gail Sheehy (author)
Senator Paul Simon
Brooke Smith (actress)
Joe Spano (actor)
Steven Spielberg (director)
Ben Stein (TV personality)
Parker Stevenson (actor)
Sharon Stone (actress)
Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Sr. (newspaper publisher)
Gloria Swanson (actress)
Elizabeth Taylor (actress)
Charlize Theron (actress)
Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy (story inspired the film The Blind Side)
Robert Urich and Heather Mezies (actor)
Nia Vardolos (actress)
Robert Venturi (architect)
Kurt Vonnegut (author)
Jane Wallace (TV personality)
Maria Wallace (actress)
Karl Wallenda (performer)
Barbara Walters (TV personality)
DeMarcus Ware (professional football)
Jann Wenner (magazine publisher)
Dianne Wiest (actress)
JoBeth Williams (actress)
Natalie Williams (professional basketball)
Brian Wilson (musician)
Dan Wilson (professional baseball)
Alfre Woodard (actress)
Judy Woodruff (TV personality)
Jane Wyman (actress)      
       
FINAL QUOTES
 

"Time and experience have taught me a priceless lesson. Any child you take for your own becomes your own if you give of yourself to that child. I have borne two children and had seven others by adoption, and they are all my children, equally beloved and precious."
Dale Evans, Actress and Adoptive Parent
 

"Both the courage and trust of those who place their babies for adoption and the enthusiasm of those who adopt them are overwhelmingly vindicated by the tens of thousands of successful adoptions that take place in this country every year."
The New Yorker, Editorial

Adoption and Celebrities

It's great to see when celebs decide to adopt children in need and give them a better life.
 

Here is a list of celebrities you may not have realized are the parents of adopted children.

Willie Robertson
 

"Duck Dynasty" star Willie Robertson adopted his son Lil Will, an experience he has said he treasures over attending Super Bowls and meeting the president.
 

Jillian Michaels
 

Jillian Michaels, star of the show "The Biggest Loser," adopted her daughter Lukensia from Haiti in 2011.
 

Charlize Theron
 

Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron adopted her son Jackson domestically in March of 2012 when he was 9 days old.
 

Viola Davis
 

Tony Award-winning actress Viola Davis, a household name due to her role in the movie "The Help," and her actor husband Julius Tennon adopted their daughter Genesis domestically in October of 2011.
 

Kristin Davis
 

Known primarily for her role on "Sex and the City," actress Kristin Davis adopted her daughter Gemma Rose domestically in October of 2011.
 

Mariska Hargitay
 

Actress Mariska Hargitay, known primarily for her starring role on the program "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit," has adopted two children domestically: daughter Amaya Josephine and son Andrew Nicolas.
 

Sheryl Crow
 

Nine-time Grammy Award winning musician Sheryl Crow has also adopted two children domestically, both sons: Wyatt Steven and Levi James.

Sandra Bullock
 

Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock initiated the domestic adoption of her son Louis Bardo with then-husband Jesse James in 2009, but finalized the process as a single mother in 2010.
 

Katherine Heigl
 

Emmy-winning actress Katherine Heigl has adopted two children with husband Josh Kelley: daughter Nancy Leigh from South Korea and daughter Adalaide Marie Hope domestically.
 

Ty Burrell
 

"Modern Family" star Ty Burrell and his wife have adopted two daughters.
 

Michelle Pfeiffer
 

In addition to her son John with husband David E. Kelley, Pfeiffer has an adopted daughter named Claudia Rose.
 

Sharon Stone
 

Sharon Stone has three adopted boys: Roan Joseph Bronstein (with ex-husband Phil Bronstein), and two others Laird Vonne Stone and Quinn Kelly Stone.
 

Hugh Jackman
 

Hugh and his wife Deborra-Lee have adopted two children; a son Oscar in 2000 and a baby girl, Ava in 2005.
 

Many-time celebrity adopters such as Angelina Jolie tend to receive the lion's share of the press for their actions. However, many more celebrities quietly adopt children, both domestically and from afar.

Phyiscal Side Effects of Abortion

The physical side effects after an abortion will vary from woman to woman. There are potential side effects and risks that you should be aware of. It is important to talk to a health professional as well as the doctor who will perform your abortion about possible side effects. Your period should return about 4 – 6 weeks after the abortion and you can get pregnant again soon after the abortion. If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics, it is important to take them as directed in order to help prevent infection.

Anticipated Physical Side Effects Following An Abortion:
 

The following is a list of side effects that are frequently experienced after an abortion. It is possible to experience these side effects for as long as 2 to 4 weeks following the procedure.

• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Spotting and Bleeding

Potential, More Serious Complications Following An Abortion:
 

Although serious complications occur in fewer than 1 out of 100 first trimester abortions and approximately 1 out of every 50 late term abortions, it is important to be aware of the following risks:

• Heavy or persistent bleeding
• Infection or sepsis
• Damage to the cervix
• Scarring of the uterine lining
• Perforation of the uterus
• Damage to other organs
• Death

It is important to understand that these risks are rare and that some of these risks are associated with child birth. What matters is that you are aware that these risks exist as you strive to make an informed decision about your pregnancy.
 

Abortion Physical Side Effects: Call Your Doctor
 

If you have had an abortion, call your doctor and seek medical attention if your side effects become severe or if you experience any of the following:

• Severe abdominal and back pain that prohibits you from standing up
• Bleeding that is heavier than a normal menstrual period
• Foul-smelling discharge
• Fever above 100.4 F
• Continuing symptoms of pregnancy

Adopting Teenagers

Though most people think about babies when they think about adoption, there are many older children and hundreds of teens who wait for a family. Most of them have been in foster care for a considerable length of time; many have faced multiple moves and great losses.
 

Until fairly recently, teens in foster care were rarely considered for adoption. Thankfully, that has now changed. It is now recognized that it is never too late for someone to join a family. In fact, some individuals are adopted as adults.
 

When these teens in foster care are no longer the responsibility of the government, they become extremely vulnerable. Amongst the kids we see on the streets, homeless, panhandling, or involved in prostitution, many grew up in foster care and have little or no family support when they leave foster care. Most teens who have been adopted thrive in their new families and say it was the best thing that ever happened to them.
 

Like all of us, these kids need stability, a sense of belonging, and opportunities to develop and grow. These things are all far more likely if they are part of a family.

What sort of people adopt teens?
 

All sorts of people. Some have never parented before; others have seen their children grow up and leave home and want to continue being parents. Parents considering teen adoption will need to be strong, resilient, and, most importantly, totally committed to making it work.

Do the teens want to be adopted?
 

Yes. Here are some comments from waiting teens on what not having a family feels like:

• "I truly don't feel like I've ever been loved ... there's a gaping hole in me."
• "I've been in and out of foster care since I was little ... I've moved so much, I don't even remember the names of half the people I have lived with."
• "I've really struggled with the idea of family ... trying to explain to people that I just don't have one."

A study on adolescent adoptions by the University of South Carolina, interviewed teens who had been adopted. This is what they said:

• "It's the most important thing that happened to me."
• "I've got a family and found love. I have everything one hopes for. I fit in a family."
• "I have a normal life now. I have a driver's license, and I drive. I have friends, and I get to go on overnights. There is no comparison to what my life is now and what it was before."
• "Before I was adopted, I was the property of the state ... just being adopted feels better."
• "If it weren't for my mom, I wouldn't be where I am today. In the beginning, I had given up. I really tested her, especially in school. There was no way I'd be where I am today without being adopted. 
• The best part is the relationship I have with my mom now."

What is the process for adopting a teen?
 

All prospective parents must complete a homestudy and an educational component before adopting a child. The homestudy is conducted by a social worker who interviews you and your family over several weeks. The social worker is not looking for perfection. The homestudy is not a test. The social worker is interested in why you chose adoption, your knowledge about adoption, how you have dealt with life's struggles (in particular, infertility, or grief and loss issues), and how you plan to deal with adoption or cultural issues as they arise. The homestudy process can be an excellent opportunity for self-reflection, clarification, and growth. The educational component is also a legal requirement. This series of seminars or one-on-one workshops explores the challenges and issues that may arise during your life as an adoptive family.
 

Teens are waiting children, too!

Pregnancy: Week by Week

Every week brings new developments when you're expecting. Your baby's changing day by day, and your body is keeping pace with developments of its own. Find out what's going on, inside and out, with this week-by-week pregnancy calendar guide.
 

First Trimester
 

Weeks 1 and 2 of pregnancy
Your pregnancy begins as your body gears up for ovulation and prepares for fertilization.
 

Week 3 of Pregnancy
As sperm meets egg, fertilization occurs and your baby-to-be takes form — as a tiny group of cells.
 

Week 4 of Pregnancy
The blastocyst that will be your baby splits to form the placenta and the embryo, and the specialized parts of your baby's body begin to develop.
 

Week 5 of Pregnancy
Your baby's heart and circulatory system are developing, while your hCG hormone levels are now high enough to confirm your good news with a home pregnancy test.
 

Week 6 of Pregnancy
Your baby's face is taking shape, which is something sweet to think about as you race to the toilet to pee yet again.
 

Week 7 of Pregnancy
Right now, the only things growing faster than your baby's brain may be your tingly, achy breasts.
 

Week 8 of Pregnancy
As your baby starts moving in the womb, morning sickness (which doesn't just strike in the morning) may have you moving to the bathroom.
 

Week 9 of Pregnancy
Your baby is busy building muscle, but all you may want to do these days is take a nice long nap.

Week 10 of Pregnancy
On your baby's to-do list this week: Build bones and cartilage. On your agenda, increase your fiber intake to cope with pregnancy constipation.
 

Week 11 of Pregnancy
That adorable little alien inside your tummy is starting to look human about now, as you start feeling a bit more human yourself.
 

Week 12 of Pregnancy
While it may seem as if you've doubled in size over the past few weeks with pregnancy weight gain, it's your baby who actually has!
 

Week 13 of Pregnancy
As the first trimester comes to a close, your baby's about the size of peach, though you may not be feeling too peachy about your sex life right now.

Second Trimester
 

Week 14 of Pregnancy
It's all about hair now as your baby sprouts some on his head, eyebrows, and body. As for Mom, those first-trimester pregnancy symptoms should be easing up a bit.
 

Week 15 of Pregnancy
You might not yet be feeling it, but your baby is kicking those little legs and flexing those elbows, while — higher up — you may be coping with some dental weirdness.
 

Week 16 of Pregnancy
Here's an eye opener for you: While you're packing on the baby pounds, your baby's eyesight (and eyelashes!) are developing rapidly.
 

Week 17 of Pregnancy
Your baby is practicing sucking and swallowing as she gets ready for the real thing: a breast or bottle! As for Mom, you may be warding off some unwanted belly touching.
 

Week 18 of Pregnancy
You might start to feel your baby moving around anytime now, which is a great way to take your mind off your bothersome back.
 

Week 19 of Pregnancy
Your baby's skin now has a protective coating, while you might be hoping for something to protect you from painful leg cramps.
 

Week 20 of Pregnancy
Boy or girl? You can find out this week through a routine ultrasound!
 

Week 21 of Pregnancy
Your baby is grazing on whatever you are right now, but those stretch marks are yours alone, Mom.
 

Week 22 of Pregnancy
These days, the only things growing more rapidly than your baby's senses may be her mommy's feet!
 

Week 23 of Pregnancy
Baby is getting (a little) plumper, but Mommy may notice something completely different when she glances at her own belly: the linea nigra.
 

Week 24 of Pregnancy
Your baby's facial features are really filling out…and your belly button may be really popping out!
 

Week 25 of Pregnancy
As baby prepares to take his first breath, pesky hemorrhoids may make you swear under yours.
 

Week 26 of Pregnancy
Major excitement: Your baby opens her eyes! On the flip side, you might wish yours would stay closed so you could get some sleep.
 

Week 27 of Pregnancy
Your baby moves on to a whole new growth chart this week, while your swollen feet and ankles may need a growth chart of their own!

Third Trimester
 

Week 28 of Pregnancy
Your baby has started blinking and dreaming while you may be dreaming that the pain in your derriere will disappear!
 

Week 29 of Pregnancy
Your baby's packing on the pounds, which look so cute on her. If only you could say the same for your varicose veins….
 

Week 30 of Pregnancy
Your baby's brain is getting smarter by the minute, but for Mom, the only thing that smarts right now may be heartburn pain.
 

Week 31 of Pregnancy
As your baby's senses increase, his mommy's breathing room decreases.
 

Week 32 of Pregnancy
Your baby is practicing survival skills like sucking and breathing, while your uterus is practicing some Braxton Hicks contractions.
 

Week 33 of Pregnancy
Your baby's immune system gets a boost, while her sleepless mommy could use a boost of energy.
 

Week 34 of Pregnancy
A boy baby's testicles descend this week (whoopee!), but Mom should also look out below — and above — as her vision becomes less sharp.
 

Week 35 of Pregnancy
A rapidly growing brain makes your baby's head weigh more and that means more pressure on Mommy's bladder.
 

Week 36 of Pregnancy
Your baby's bones may be ready to rock and roll, but yours may be aching something awful right now.
 

Week 37 of Pregnancy
Your doctor may check for labor signs, while your baby prepares for birth by sucking, turning, and breathing in the womb.
 

Week 38 of Pregnancy
Your baby is producing surfactant, which will help him take those first breaths while you're producing colostrum, the precursor to breast milk.
 

Week 39 of Pregnancy
Your baby's brain development is still in high gear, even as you may start to experience some definite signs of labor.
 

Week 40 of Pregnancy
It's the official end of your pregnancy — though your baby might not have gotten that memo. Hang in there!
 

Week 41 of Pregnancy
It's not unusual for a baby to be overdue, but you're apt to feel real labor pains at any time this week or next.
 

Week 42 of Pregnancy
In the rare case that your baby is truly overdue, the good news is she'll be wide-awake and ready to go once she's born.

The First Home Visit

What Information Will We Need to Provide?
 

While you might cringe at the idea of having an outsider come in to assess your parenting capabilities, if you think about it from the child’s perspective it makes sense. Basically, the home study exists as a safeguard for children. But it can help parents, too. “[The home study] gives people an opportunity to prepare for adoptive parenthood by looking back at where they’ve been and forward toward where they’re going with a clearer vision of all the things that brought them to this point,” says Renee Lubowich, an adoption social worker in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
 

With that in mind, here are some answers to common questions about home studies to help you get ready.
 

Specific home study criteria vary from state to state and, for international adoptions, from country to country. A local adoption agency can tell you what your state requires. If you’re planning to adopt internationally, try to decide what country you want to adopt from before initiating a home study, says Sam Wojnilower, an adoption social worker and Russia program coordinator for Adoptions from the Heart, based in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. That way you can avoid the time and expense of having to redo parts of the process to meet the requirements of a particular country. An agency that deals with international adoption can advise you of the rules for different countries.
 

In general, you can expect to be asked to disclose your medical history, including testaments to your physical and medical health, and your financial status (you don’t have to be rich—just responsible). A social worker will also visit your home to, at a minimum, make sure there are no safety hazards and there is sufficient space for a child. Most states require a police background check and a child abuse background check; some also require federal criminal clearance.
 

States also give a lot of discretion to agencies, says Wojnilower, whose social workers will interview the prospective adoptive family, sometimes several times. Agencies might also ask you to write biographical essays, discuss your views on childrearing and discipline, or submit character references.
 

What Will It Cost?
 

Home studies usually cost at least $1,000 and can run up to $5,000. They are free, however, if you adopt a child who is a ward of the state in foster care. In those situations, the state covers the cost. (For more information on adopting children through the child welfare system, visit Adopt Us Kids, and check Is Foster Parenting Right for You (and Your Family?)
 

Can We Prepare?
 

You need to make sure your paperwork is in order, of course, but on a more personal level it can be helpful to take some time to think about (and be able to talk about) how adopting a child will affect your life.
 

Lubowich recommends reading about raising adopted children and considering the types of challenges you are prepared to take on in parenting an adopted child. “It’s helpful for people to do some self-reflection about their views on parenthood and childrearing, and to think about how and why they have those opinions,” she says. “In the case of a couple, it’s helpful for them to think about places they might agree or disagree in raising children.”
 

And while it’s tempting to clean the house from top to bottom and put on your Sunday best before the social worker comes to call, Wojnilower says that’s really not what the study is about. “I try to reassure folks that by the time we get past the very beginning stages they can feel comfortable because the requirements are largely objective,” he says. “It’s not, ‘Do I like the furniture in your house, do I like how you dress, do I like your sense of humor?’”
 

Could the Home Study Findings Prevent Us from Adopting?
 

In the objective, paperwork department you could encounter setbacks if you have:

• an arrest record (not in every case — Lubowich says it depends upon what type of arrest and how long ago it occurred)
• certain issues in your medical or mental health history
• a history of financial problems or a troubled financial situation
• multiple marriages (one or two previous marriages probably won’t hurt your chances but more than that might)
• an unstable job history

Some countries also have rules that might disqualify a particular family, such as parents’ ages, how long they’ve been married, and current or past health problems.
 

Problems can also arise if the social worker senses any underlying issues that need to be resolved. For example, one spouse might be in favor of adoption while the other is not completely on board. In the case of transracial adoptions, it might become apparent during the home study that there’s some discomfort with becoming a transracial family. If infertility has been a factor in the decision to adopt, sometimes one spouse is willing to stop infertility treatments while the other wants to try one more cycle. Wojnilower says that in these kinds of cases, an agency can provide some counseling but it might be necessary for the prospective parents to seek counseling elsewhere before continuing the adoption process.

Adopting Over 40

You CAN adopt.
You are both allowed to adopt, and capable of being a good parent.

You don't need to be superman or superwoman.
Remember, even if you lack the energy of a younger person, you probably have more patience and understanding. People have parented successfully even when they are in wheelchairs or blind; just being older should not be a deterrent.

You can adopt whether or not you are married, and whether or not you have other children.
Many older people come to adoption because their biological children are grown, or because they have remarried after divorce or widowhood and want to share the parenting experience with a new spouse. Older singles often come to adoption after having attained career goals or after recognizing that biological parenthood is no longer possible, even if they find a marriage partner.

You can adopt in many ways.
International adoption is often the preferred route, as several foreign countries value older parents and will grant them children in a reasonable time frame. However, it is also possible to adopt an infant, older or special needs children or to undertake a foster-adopt relationship domestically.

Give careful consideration to the age that interests you.
Most older people, like their younger counterparts, prefer to adopt infants or young toddlers, because they want the "baby" experience and know that the adjustment to adoption of very young children is likely to be easier. However, older parents should recognize that parenting such children is not easy; it involves a lot of carrying (which some older backs cannot tolerate) and a lot of adjustment of one's established routines to accommodate sleep and feeding schedules and such. Adopting very young children also means that the older adoptive parent will be well up in years when the child becomes a challenging adolescent. As a result, some older parents might want to consider adopting children who are past babyhood.

Consider other familial responsibilities.
Many older parents will find themselves faced with the challenging task of caring for frail elderly parents when their children are still young and in need of much attention. Older parents with biological children may also find themselves in a situation where adult offspring move back home after a failed marriage or an unsuccessful job hunt; this, too, can be quite stressful as they deal with the needs of a newly adopted young child.

Give careful thought to how you will manage, financially and otherwise, the needs of all people who may become dependent upon you.

Consider whether you REALLY know what parenting entails.
Both older and younger parents often fall in love with the idea of having a baby, without really understanding the full range of parenting challenges. And older people with older biological children may have parented in simpler times, or when they had more stamina. It is also not uncommon for prospective parents to gloss over the fact that the children they adopt may turn out to have special needs of one form or another.

One of the best ways for a prospective parent to develop an understanding of children's needs and the parenting role is to take on some form of volunteer or paid work with children - especially children with medical or other issues - to see if he/she can really cope with the tantrums, the upset stomachs, the sleepless nights, and the high-spirited behaviors.

Choose an agency, lawyer, or facilitator with special care.
Everyone, not just older people, should choose an adoption agency, lawyer, or facilitator with a good track record in results and ethical conduct. There are too many people who represent themselves as adoption professionals who fail to help families find acceptable children in a reasonable time frame, who charge outrageous fees, and/or who are not concerned with birth parent rights and needs. Older adoptive parents need to be careful to select an organization or individual that does not have a bias against older parents, that will advocate well for them, and that will help them choose the most promising avenue for adopting the type of child they want.

Recognize that delays are inevitable.
All adoptive parents want to have a placement immediately, but older people are particularly vulnerable because they worry about being too old to be effective parents. But the fact is that "glitch" happens in adoption. Even countries with stable adoption systems change their laws, causing delays. Families may even need to switch to another program. Within our own country, social workers and judges do not always operate quickly. Older people need to recognize that one year is NOT going to make much difference in their ability to parent effectively.

Ensure that you are in the best possible shape for adoption travel, and that you travel as comfortably as you can.
Most foreign countries require a prospective parent to travel to adopt. The travel may be quite arduous. There may be long bus rides, squat toilets, unfamiliar food, hard beds, no air conditioning, and more. And once the parent receives his/her child, the stay in the foreign country may be even more difficult.

It is important for older parents to be as healthy as possible before traveling, and to bring medications for any chronic condition that they may have. They may want to insist on the best possible arrangements for their stay in the foreign country, even if that means passing up that charming inn that the locals use in favor of a big, urban hotel. For people traveling across time zones, it may be a good idea to take one or more rest stops in better-developed cities, on the way to or from the country.

Take bonding time once you arrive home.
Many agencies recommend that new adoptive parents avoid the classic "airport party" if they are traveling home from a foreign country, as it often terrifies or overwhelms the child and further tires the parent, who may have had a difficult trip. They also suggest spending a week or two at home with the child, with few activities scheduled, to allow bonding to occur and both parent and child to rest and get over any travel-related bugs. These recommendations are particularly appropriate for the older parent, who may have less energy than his/her younger counterpart.


Make child care arrangements that mesh with the responsibilities of your job.
Many older parents hold responsible jobs that are not confined to a strict schedule. As they look at child care arrangements, they will need to ensure that they can find and afford child care that accommodates their work schedules. These may include early morning or evening meetings and occasional overnight travel.

Update your will and make guardianship arrangements.
All parents should have a will and some arrangements for their children to receive care if they should die or become incapacitated. The importance of this recommendation for older adoptive parents cannot be overstated. It is necessary both to protect the children's inheritance rights and to ensure that they are raised in a manner consistent with the parents' wishes.

Make backup arrangements for times when you are temporarily ill or incapacitated.
All parents need to plan for times when they are knocked flat by flu or break an arm testing out a skateboard. Older parents are more likely to develop medical problems that require care in a hospital or that limit their activities. They need to begin long before the need arises to find appropriate arrangements for their children. Unfortunately, many older people find that their friends and relatives are also older, and not in a position to take on the care of young children. Older parents must recognize that they either need the funds to pay for professional child care or a good support system that includes younger family members or friends.

Above all, don't be embarrassed because you are older!
The other parents at your child's school may be surprised by the age lines in your face or your greying hair, but they will soon see that you can chaperone field trips as well as anyone.

If you truly want to parent, and have a young attitude and an acceptance of others, regardless of age, you will do just fine.

Single Parent Adoption

A number of factors have encouraged the acceptance of single parent families. Perhaps most is the growing number of one-parent households due to divorce and to unmarried women having and keeping their children. A recent New York Times article reported that more than half of the Nation's 9.8 million African-American children under 18 years of age, nearly one-third of the 7 million Hispanic children, and one-fifth of the Nation's 51.1 million Caucasian children live with a single parent. While women are the primary caregivers for most of these children, there are also one million single fathers in this country. With so many children living in this type of home environment, adoption agencies have been more willing to consider unmarried men and women as prospective adopters.
 

Most of these single parents work full-time and are financially responsible for their families. While shouldering the economic burden, they continue to maintain the home and care for the children.

The issue of personal finances has become less important with the availability of adoption subsidies in almost every State for children with special needs. This has encouraged those with limited incomes who are otherwise capable and willing to adopt to pursue adoption.
 

The adoption picture has also changed. The number of healthy Caucasian infants available for adoption has decreased dramatically due to birth control, legalized abortion, and the decision of unwed mothers to keep their babies. Therefore, agencies have a shortage of babies to offer couples who are interested in adoption. Most of the children who are available for adoption are older or have disabilities. As the adoption agencies struggle to find homes for these children, single parent applicants have become more widely accepted.
 

Another factor is that single adoptive parents have proven to be very successful in encouraging their own acceptance. The latest research indicates that children raised in single adoptive parent families compare favorably with other adopted children and show a healthy involvement with friends and family as well as in the activities of their age group. It has been shown that it is the instability of broken homes, rather than the absence of a parent, that causes difficulty for a child  In 1985, an 8- year longitudinal study of 22 single adoptive parents reported that the child care provided by the parents had been consistent and of high quality. The researchers stated that, "The single parents of this study lead busy lives and seem to manage the demands of jobs, home, and parenting with a sure touch."The parents interviewed, who were both African-American and Caucasian, had adopted young children, most of whom were under the age of 3. The authors questioned whether a single parent placement would be as appropriate for an older child who has had difficult experiences, since more older children are available today.

These researchers concluded that "single parent homes may be particularly suited for children who need intense and close relationships and thus particularly appropriate for many of the older children in foster care who are now being prepared for permanent homes. For some children, such a close bond may meet a need and be a path to normal development."

Drug Use and Pregnancy

When you are pregnant, it is important that you watch what you put into your body. Consumption of illegal drugs is not safe for the unborn baby or for the mother. Studies have shown that consumption of illegal drugs during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, low birth weight, premature labor, placental abruption, fetal death, and even maternal death. The following information can help you understand these drugs and their effects.

Marijuana:
 

Common slang names: pot, weed, grass and reefer
 

What happens when a pregnant woman smokes marijuana?Marijuana crosses the placenta to your baby. Marijuana, like cigarette smoke, contains toxins that keep your baby from getting the proper supply of oxygen that he or she needs to grow.
 

How can marijuana affect the baby? Studies of marijuana in pregnancy are inconclusive because many women who smoke marijuana also use tobacco and alcohol. Smoking marijuana increases the levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in the blood, which reduces the oxygen supply to the baby. Smoking marijuana during pregnancy can increase the chance of miscarriage, low birth weight, premature births, developmental delays, and behavioral and learning problems.
 

What if I smoked marijuana before I knew I was pregnant?According to Dr. Richard S. Abram, author of Will it Hurt the Baby,“occasional use of marijuana during the first trimester is unlikely to cause birth defects.” Once you are aware you are pregnant, you should stop smoking. Doing this will decrease the chance of harming your baby.
 

Cocaine:
 

Common slang names: bump, toot, C, coke, crack, flake, snow, and candy
 

What happens when a pregnant woman consumes cocaine?Cocaine crosses the placenta and enters your baby’s circulation. The elimination of cocaine is slower in a fetus than in an adult. This means that cocaine remains in the baby’s body much longer than it does in your body.
 

How can cocaine affect my baby? According to the Organization of Teratology Information Services (OTIS), during the early months of pregnancy cocaine exposure may increase the risk of miscarriage. Later in pregnancy, cocaine use can cause placental abruption. Placental abruption can lead to severe bleeding, preterm birth, and fetal death. OTIS also states that the risk of birth defects appears to be greater when the mother has used cocaine frequently during pregnancy. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecology (ACOG), women who use cocaine during their pregnancy have a 25 % increased chance of premature labor. Babies born to mothers who use cocaine throughout their pregnancy may also have a smaller head and be growth restricted. Babies who are exposed to cocaine later in pregnancy may be born dependent and suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, sleeplessness, muscle spasms, and feeding difficulties. Some experts believe that learning difficulties may result as the child gets older. Defects of the genitals, kidneys, and brain are also possible.
 

What if I consumed cocaine before I knew I was pregnant? There have not been any conclusive studies done on single doses of cocaine during pregnancy. Birth defects and other side effects are usually a result of prolonged use, but because studies are inconclusive, it is best to avoid cocaine altogether. Cocaine is a very addictive drug and experimentation often leads to abuse of the drug.
 

Heroin:
 

Common slang names: horse, smack, junk, and H-stuff
 

What happens when a pregnant woman uses heroin? Heroin is a very addictive drug that crosses the placenta to the baby. Because this drug is so addictive, the unborn baby can become dependent on the drug.
 

How can heroin affect my baby? Using heroin during pregnancy increases the chance of premature birth, low birth weight, breathing difficulties, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), bleeding within the brain (intracranial hemorrhage), and infant death. Babies can also be born addicted to heroin and can suffer from withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms include irritability, convulsions, diarrhea, fever, sleep abnormalities, and joint stiffness. Mothers who inject narcotics are more susceptible to HIV, which can be passed to their unborn children.
 

What if I am addicted to heroin and I am pregnant? Treating an addiction to heroin can be complicated, especially when you are pregnant. Your health care provider may prescribe methadone as a form of treatment. It is best that you communicate with your health care provider, so he or she can provide the best treatment for you and your baby.
 

PCP & LSD:
 

What happens when a pregnant woman takes PCP and LSD? PCP and LSD are hallucinogens. Both PCP and LSD users can behave violently, which may harm the baby if the mother hurts herself.
 

How can PCP and LSD affect my baby? PCP use during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight, poor muscle control, brain damage, and withdrawal syndrome if used frequently. Withdrawal symptoms include lethargy, alternating with tremors. LSD can lead to birth defects if used frequently.
 

What if I experimented with LSD or PCP before I knew I was pregnant? No conclusive studies have been done on one time use effects of these drugs on the fetus. It is best not to experiment if you are trying to get pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
Methamphetamine:

Common slang names: meth, speed, crystal, glass, and crank
 

What happens when a pregnant woman takes methamphetamine? Methamphetamine is chemically related to amphetamine, which causes the heart rate of the mother and baby to increase.
 

How can methamphetamine affect my baby: Taking methamphetamine during pregnancy can result in problems similar to those seen with the use of cocaine in pregnancy. The use of speed can cause the baby to get less oxygen, which can lead to low birth weight. Methamphetamine can also increase the likelihood of premature labor, miscarriage, and placental abruption. Babies can be born addicted to methamphetamine and suffer withdrawal symptoms that include tremors, sleeplessness, muscle spasms, and feeding difficulties. Some experts believe that learning difficulties may result as the child gets older.
 

What if I experimented with methamphetamine before I knew I was pregnant? There have not been any significant studies done on the effect of one time use of methamphetamine during pregnancy. It is best not to experiment if you are trying to get pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
 

What Does The Law Say?
 

Currently there are no states that holds prenatal substance abuse as a criminal act of child abuse and neglect. But many have expanded their civil child-welfare requirements to include substance abuse during pregnancy as grounds for terminating parental rights in relation to child abuse and neglect. The laws that address prenatal substance abuse are as follows:
 

Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota’s health care providers are required to test for and report prenatal drug exposure. Kentucky health care providers are only required to test.
 

Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Oklahoma, Utah, Rhode Island and Virginia’s, health care providers are required to report prenatal drug exposure. Reporting and testing can be evidence used in child welfare proceedings.
 

Some states consider prenatal substance abuse as part of their child welfare laws. Therefore prenatal drug exposure can provide grounds for terminating parental rights because of child abuse or neglect. These states include: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
 

Some states have policies that enforce admission to an inpatient treatment program for pregnant women who use drugs. These states include: Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
In 2004, Texas made it a felony to smoke marijuana while pregnant, resulting in a prison sentence of 2-20 years.
 

How Can I Get Help?
 

You can get help from counseling, support groups, and treatment programs. Popular groups include the 12 step program. Numbers that can help you locate a treatment center include:

• National Drug Help Hotline 1-800-662-4357
• National Alcohol and Drug Dependence Hopeline 1-800-622-2255

Teens and Adoption

You've heard it your whole life: Enjoy your teenage years because they will be gone before you know it.

For some young women, those teenage years may already seem over because of an unplanned teenage pregnancy. If this describes your situation, understand that being a pregnant teenager is more common than you might think, and there is plenty of help out there.
 

The following are some ideas to support you during this time and to better understand your teenage pregnancy adoption options.
 

1. Make Good Choices for Yourself and Your Baby
 

As a pregnant teenager, you likely have never faced this amount of responsibility, so it is important to realize that your choices affect not just yourself but also your baby.
 

Whether those choices involve drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, using drugs, eating unhealthy, not getting enough exercise or taking certain risks, it might be necessary for you to evaluate your current lifestyle and eliminate any activities or habits that don’t promote a healthy pregnancy.

This also includes making sure you are surrounded by positive friends and family members who will support you during your teenage pregnancy.
 

2. Build a Support System to Help with Your Pregnancy
 

A good friend who listens to you and truly tries to understand what you are going through can be an essential component to a healthy teenage pregnancy.

The more people you know who exude these qualities, the better. They can be friends, parents, grandparents, siblings, fellow students, school counselors, teachers, pastors or anyone else who brings positivity to your life and your pregnancy.
 

3. Continue Your Education
 

Just because you are a pregnant teenager doesn’t mean your education is any less important. You actually have several options to continue your education while pregnant.

Continue at Your Own High School – In most situations, this is probably the easiest way to receive your high school diploma. Be sure to inform your high school teachers and school counselor of your pregnancy so they can tend to your needs and schedule.
 

Pursue Independent Study – Independent study classes allow students to complete classes from home and earn high school and junior college credits. Talk to your school counselor for any available independent studies.
 

Attend a Special School – Most communities offer daytime or nighttime high school classes for people who have alternative needs that require a flexible schedule.
 

Obtain Your G.E.D. – The G.E.D. is a test that measures your general educational accomplishments. Once you have passed the exam, you will have earned the equivalent to your high school diploma, which opens up many doors to continued education.

Keep in mind, if you are considering adoption as a possibility, you could be eligible to receive an adoption scholarship.
 

4. Know Your Options for Your Unplanned Teenage Pregnancy
While the previous steps are necessary for all pregnant teenagers, this step is only applicable to women who are unsure if they are ready to parent.
 

Raising a child is one of the most important and challenging jobs around. An unplanned pregnancy is particularly challenging for young women because they don’t always have the resources to care for the child.
 

You must ask yourself: Am I ready for this responsibility? Do I have the necessary support of the father of my baby? Do I have the necessary support from my family? Do I even want to be a mother at this stage in my life?

These are questions to which only you know the answers.
 

If you are unsure about parenting as a teenager, or if you have already decided that you are not ready for this responsibility, know that adoption is always an option for a teenage pregnancy.

Pregnancy and Nutrition

More foods can affect your health or your baby's than you might realize. Find out what foods to avoid during pregnancy

You want what's best for your baby. That's why you add sliced fruit to your fortified breakfast cereal, top your salads with chickpeas and snack on almonds. But do you know what foods to avoid during pregnancy?
 

Start with the basics in pregnancy nutrition. Understanding what foods to avoid during pregnancy can help you make the healthiest choices for you and your baby.
 

Avoid seafood high in mercury
 

Seafood can be a great source of protein, and the omega-3 fatty acids in many fish can promote your baby's brain and eye development. However, some fish and shellfish contain potentially dangerous levels of mercury. Too much mercury could harm your baby's developing nervous system.
 

The bigger and older the fish, the more mercury it's likely to contain. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourage pregnant women to avoid:

• Swordfish
• Shark
• King mackerel
• Tilefish

So what's safe? Some types of seafood contain little mercury. Although concerns have been raised about the level of mercury in any type of canned tuna, the FDA and EPA say pregnant women can safely eat up to 12 ounces (340 grams) a week. Similarly, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend 8 to 12 ounces — two average meals — of seafood a week for pregnant women. 

Consider:

• Shrimp
• Canned light tuna (limit albacore tuna and tuna steaks to no more than 6 ounces, or 170 grams, a week)
• Salmon
• Pollock
• Catfish
• Anchovies
• Trout

Not all researchers agree with these limits, however, citing a study that noted no negative effects for women who ate more seafood than the FDA-approved guidelines.
 

Avoid raw, undercooked or contaminated seafood
 

To avoid harmful bacteria or viruses in seafood:

• Avoid raw fish and shellfish. Examples include sushi, sashimi, and raw oysters, scallops or clams.
• Avoid refrigerated, uncooked seafood. Examples include seafood labeled nova style, lox, kippered, smoked or jerky. It's OK to eat smoked seafood if it's an ingredient in a casserole or other cooked dish. Canned and shelf-stable versions also are safe.
• Understand local fish advisories. If you eat fish from local waters, pay attention to local fish advisories — especially if water pollution is a concern. If advice isn't available, limit the amount of fish from local waters you eat to 6 ounces (170 grams) a week and don't eat other fish that week.
• Cook seafood properly. Cook fish to an internal temperature of 145 F (63 C). Fish is done when it separates into flakes and appears opaque throughout. Cook shrimp, lobster and scallops until they're milky white. Cook clams, mussels and oysters until their shells open. Discard any that don't open.

Avoid undercooked meat, poultry and eggs
 

During pregnancy, you're at increased risk of bacterial food poisoning. Your reaction might be more severe than if you weren't pregnant. Rarely, food poisoning affects the baby, too.
 

To prevent foodborne illness:

• Fully cook all meats and poultry before eating. Use a meat thermometer to make sure.
• Cook hot dogs and luncheon meats until they're steaming hot — or avoid them completely. They can be sources of a rare but potentially serious foodborne illness known as listeriosis.
• Avoid refrigerated pates and meat spreads. Canned and shelf-stable versions, however, are OK.
• Cook eggs until the egg yolks and whites are firm. Raw eggs can be contaminated with harmful bacteria. Avoid foods made with raw or partially cooked eggs, such as eggnog, raw batter, and freshly made or homemade hollandaise sauce and Caesar salad dressing.

Avoid unpasteurized foods
 

Many low-fat dairy products — such as skim milk, mozzarella cheese and cottage cheese — can be a healthy part of your diet. Anything containing unpasteurized milk, however, is a no-no. These products could lead to foodborne illness. Avoid soft cheeses, such as Brie, feta and blue cheese, unless they are clearly labeled as being pasteurized or made with pasteurized milk. Also, avoid drinking unpasteurized juice.

These are some great guidelines to follow when it comes to nutrition for your growing baby. However, it is always wise to consult your doctor when it comes to your diet.

Pregnancy and Exercise

Pregnancy might seem like the perfect time to sit back and relax. You might feel more tired than usual, your back might ache, and your ankles might be swollen.
 

But guess what? There's more to pregnancy and exercise than skipping it entirely. Unless you're experiencing serious complications, sitting around won't help. In fact, pregnancy can be a great time to get active — even if you haven't exercised in a while.
 

Why Exercise During Pregnancy?
 

During pregnancy, exercise can:

• Ease or prevent back pain and other discomforts
• Boost your mood and energy levels
• Help you sleep better
• Prevent excess weight gain
• Increase stamina and muscle strength

Exercise during pregnancy might also reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and pregnancy-related high blood pressure, as well as lessen the symptoms of postpartum depression. In addition, it might reduce the risk that your baby is born significantly larger than average (fetal macrosomia).
 

Pregnancy and exercise: Getting the OK
 

Before you begin an exercise program, make sure you have your health care provider's OK. Although exercise during pregnancy is generally good for both mother and baby, your doctor might advise you not to exercise if you have:

• Some forms of heart and lung disease
• Pregnancy-related high blood pressure
• Cervical problems
• Vaginal bleeding
• Preterm labor during your pregnancy or risk factors for preterm labor, such as preterm labor during the pregnancy prior to your current pregnancy
• A multiple pregnancy at risk of preterm labor

Pacing it for Pregnancy

For most pregnant women, at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise is recommended on most, if not all, days of the week.
 

Walking is a great exercise for beginners. It provides moderate aerobic conditioning with minimal stress on your joints. Other good choices include swimming, low-impact aerobics and cycling on a stationary bike. Strength training is OK, too, as long as you avoid lifting very heavy weights.
 

Remember to warm up and cool down. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, and be careful to avoid overheating. In general, you should be able to carry on a conversation while you're exercising. If you can't speak normally while you're working out, you're probably pushing yourself too hard.

How to Adopt

After you have finished applying to adopt and are in the process of completing your home study, you will have a period of waiting. During this time, your caseworker will be finishing background checks and verifying the various pieces of information you have provided.
 

Typically, the above steps conclude with a written home study report reflecting your caseworker's findings. These findings will determine whether you’re eligible to adopt. These findings will often include the age range and number of children recommended for your family along with the conditions and characteristics of the children that you want, and the caseworker concurs, that you can successfully integrate into your family. This decision may take some time as it’s done on a case-by-case basis unless there is a criminal record or overriding safety concern that would preclude an agency from approving your home study.
 

Ready to take the next step?
 

Once your home study is finalized and you have been approved to adopt, the search begins for being matched with a child.

If you’re not approved or able to adopt at this point in your journey, consider other
ways to help children in foster care.

Stay in Contact With Your Caseworker

While your caseworker finishes background checks and verifying other information in your application to adopt, it’s good to keep in contact with them so you can readily provide answers to follow-up questions.
 

If you have concerns about something specific that might disqualify you from adopting, now is the time to talk with your caseworker about it. Some agencies may be able to work with your family, depending on the specifics of the incident and its resolution. It’s best to be honest and upfront about anything that could be a cause for concern. Aside from a criminal record or overriding safety concerns that would preclude agencies from approving your home study, the decision to qualify your family is made on a case-by-case basis. If your caseworker finds you to be deceptive or dishonest, or if documents collected during the home study process expose inconsistencies, the agency may not approve your home study.
 

Ask to Review a Copy of Your Home Study

Home studies are used to introduce your family to other agencies, adoption exchanges, and to the caseworkers for the children you express interest in adopting. The home study report lets child caseworkers at these agencies and exchanges know you have been approved to adopt. It also provides information on what your family can offer a child. For example, your home study might say that your home is wheelchair accessible or that you’re very interested in adopting a sibling group.
 

If you aren’t given a copy of your home study, you should ask to see it so you can look it over and correct any inaccuracies. Depending on the agency you work with and the child you want to adopt, this information could be shared with birth parents or others. If you have questions or concerns about the confidentiality of your information, verify with your agency how extensively it will be shared.
 

If you’re not ready or able to become licensed to adopt after the completion of your home study, find other ways to help children in foster care.

Network While You Wait

While waiting to become approved to adopt, you may have a hard time understanding why it takes so long to complete the paperwork, or are concerned about what will be put on the record about you and your household.

Now is a good time to find your local foster care and adoption support group  or network with other foster and adoptive parents. These are great sources of support and encouragement, and can help you pass the time while you wait.

Find Other Way to Help Children in Foster Care

If you’re not ready or able to be approved for adoption at this time, please consider other ways to help children in foster care. You have valuable abilities that can be put to work for children, such as being a community volunteer, respite worker, office assistant, tutor or mentor to teens, babysitter, or assistant recruiter. Discuss these options and others with your caseworker.

Carrying High & Down the Drain

If you're carrying high, it's a girl. Oh, sure, this is true. Just like if you refuse to eat the heel of a loaf of bread, then you're having a girl. It's a boy if your hands are dry. It's a girl if you crave orange juice. And it's a boy if your feet are cold.

"Everyone wants to offer their opinion," says Lyuba Konopasek, M.D., a pediatrician at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. "When I was pregnant, I had all kinds of people on the street tell me the gender of my baby-to-be."

While there is absolutely no truth to the carrying high or low wives' tale, says Jonathan Schaffir, M.D., an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Ohio State University, the myth persists because "you have a 50-50 chance of being right." The only thing carrying high means is that it is probably your first pregnancy. The girdle-like muscles that hold the uterus against the spine and keep the baby high above the pelvis become more elastic with each pregnancy, so the belly may hang lower each time (you may start showing earlier, too).

The stuff that unclogs your drains can also predict the sex of your baby. Of all the more modern-day old wives' tales relating to pregnancy and, more specifically, gender prediction, the oddest might be the one connected to Drano, the well-known consumer product that unclogs sinks. Supposedly, if one mixes it with urine, it can determine the sex of your baby. If you pour it down the toilet, and it turns blue, you have a boy; pink, it's a girl.

Susan Skinner, C.N.M., a nurse midwife at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, says that the Drano old wives' tale has been around "for at least 20 years. I actually tried it just for fun with my last one." The all-knowing Drano told Skinner she would have a girl; she had a boy. So, just like carrying high can't predict your baby's gender, neither can the clog-removing power of Drano. Plus, the company advises consumers not to use their product in toilets.

Heartburn & Food Cravings

Have a lot of heartburn? Your baby will be born with a lot of hair. No. Well, yes. But no. Yes, you may have a lot of heartburn, and your baby may have a lot of hair, but, no, there's no connection between the two. And while it might sound silly to even believe that there would be, this is a widely believed myth. It probably came about because pregnant women generally experience heartburn, sometimes a lot of it, and many babies are born with hair. Somebody likely made the connection, and the myth has stuck. But it's completely false. Author Vicki Iovine said it best in her book, The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy, when she adamantly maintained, "No matter what people try to tell you, heartburn does not mean that your baby will be born with lots of hair. I had heartburn so badly in all four of my pregnancies that I could spit fire, and all my kids were born as bald as Uncle Fester."

If you crave ice cream your body needs calcium. Oh, it's pineapple you crave? Pickles perhaps? While it's true that the changing hormones of pregnancy can make women have strong cravings, and even crave foods that they never before liked, the cravings don't really mean that your baby is trying to tell you something. "People think that if they want a type of food, the baby must want it," says Dr. Schaffir. But sadly, he says, that notion is just an old wives' tale -- one that could have unhealthy consequences: "Women can overeat and gain too much weight."

There are, however, some women who crave laundry detergent, paint chips, or clay. These odd cravings (called pica) have been associated with iron deficiency, says Dr. Schaffir, and you should talk to your doctor immediately if you experience them.

Other than that exception, he adds, "if you want carrots, it doesn't mean you need vitamin A." Just take your daily prenatal vitamin and indulge your cravings in moderation.

Taking Baths & Taking Walks

Taking a bath can drown your fetus. "The lungs of fetuses are already full of water, so they can't drown," chuckles Dr. Konopasek. "Babies get their oxygen through the mother's placenta," she explains. Plus, water can't enter the amniotic sac from outside anyway. "So it's impossible to 'drown' a baby in utero."

In fact, you may be giving your baby a treat when you take a bath. In a tub, says Skinner, moms-to-be have more buoyancy, and the baby might feel more free to move.

But don't grab the soap yet. Baths are fine, provided the water isn't simmering. The water temperature should not go over 98°F to reduce the risk of birth defects, which is why you should definitely avoid hot tubs. Solution: Simply check the temperature of the water before stepping in, advises Skinner.

Walking induces labor.

 "It's hard to know exactly how this myth started," says Dr. Schaffir, "but I think the impression is that gravity will make the baby come down." In this case, however, the pull of gravity is not powerful enough.

"It won't hurt anything," Skinner says of walking. "In one study, women reported that walking made them feel more comfortable, but it doesn't induce labor." Dr. Schaffir says that there are a lot of beliefs revolving around inducing labor, including having sex, drinking herbal tea, exercising -- and then it just goes downhill from there -- being frightened, drinking castor oil, using a laxative, and getting an enema. Says Schaffir: "Sex is one of the only ones with some scientific evidence; it may induce contractions because of a substance found in sperm."

Cats & Drinking Milk

Cats have a natural urge to smother babies.

And have you heard that cats can suck the oxygen out of newborns? The gossip and innuendo around cats is largely unfounded, but there is some actual truth to all of this.

"Cats are not going to suck the breath from your baby, and they're not going to purposefully sit on your baby," promises Bernadine Cruz, D.V.M., a veterinarian at the Laguna Hills Animal Hospital in California. But she does say that cats are hedonists and enjoy the pleasures of life. "They will seek out all the comforts that they can -- the sunbeam when they're cold and the softest place to sleep when they're tired." If the warmest, softest spot in the house happens to be right next to your child, she adds, your cat will not hesitate to hunker down -- and that might just be too close for comfort.

Dr. Cruz suggests training your kitty to stay away from a crib or bassinet and making sure that the cat has an alternative comfortable place to sleep.

In fact, felines pose a greater risk to pregnant women. Cats can carry a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, a disease which infects multiple organs in the fetus and causes anything from deafness to respiratory problems. The most common way to get the disease is to handle your cat's feces after it has been lying around for about 48 hours. The easiest way to stay safe: Make your husband clean the litter box while you relax!

Drinking milk will stimulate breast milk. Uh, no. But drinking liquids in general does help, says Gary Edelstein, M.D., a pediatrician at Columbia-Presbyterian Eastside in New York City. "Certainly, a lot of what the mother ingests goes into her breast milk, but milk, over any other type of liquid, doesn't make a difference in the amount she produces."
Nursing & Boiling Water

You can't get pregnant while nursing. False, mostly. Women who breastfeed are less likely to ovulate, menstruate, and become pregnant, but ovulation can begin again at any time, leaving moms at risk, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. "It's not an effective means of birth control," says Dr. Edelstein.

Melissa Meyer can vouch for that. During the time that the Chandler, Arizona, stay-at-home mom was nursing her then 10-month-old son, she and her husband believed they were completely safe. "We were lucky that it didn't happen earlier," laughs Meyer, whose doctor prescribed birth control when she nursed her second son, now 5.

When a woman is in labor, boil water.

Throughout television history, when the time to head to the hospital comes, the dad is a frazzled mess. The couple's close friends -- from Fred and Ethel to Joey and Chandler -- collide into each other in their attempts to help the mom-to-be. And through it all is almost always the rallying cry: "Boil water!" But should you actually do that?

If you're stuck at home, then asking your partner to boil water may not be a bad idea, admits Skinner. "Some say it's done to sterilize the equipment. But, really, it's to give the men something to do. It's a way to keep them busy."

Things Adoptive Dads Need to Teach Their Kids

Father’s Day is a time to reflect on the joys - some heartwarming, some not so much - of being a Father. It’s a time to think about how fast your little one is growing up and take stock of all that you have taught and still have left to teach. This article by Tom Burns lays out some pretty good guidelines on what’s important when it comes to things a Dad should be teaching his kids. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did! Feel free to comment with your own ideas about what kids to learn from Dear Old Dad.

Written by Tom Burns for The Good Men Project

When I first became a parent, I found myself either constantly giving or receiving advice. Potty training, co-sleeping, TV time -- there are hundreds of conflicting opinions out there about every parenting-related topic. However, when my really good friends become parents for the first time, there are certain pieces of advice that immediately jump to the top, nuggets of wisdom that I mention before all others. Some are philosophical, some are mundane in the extreme. But when I sit down and really think about being a parent, these are 25 of the most important lessons that I think any dad (or any parent for that matter) would definitely want to pass on to their kids.

1. Winning is fun, but it teaches you nothing. Failure is the best teacher in the world. Winning is a trophy, failing is an education.
 

2. The key to surviving failure is to not take it personally. This is why video games make great educational tools. Mario doesn’t rage at the world when he fails to jump over a pit. He just starts back at the beginning and tries again until he figures out how to rescue that princess.
 

3. Ketchup is for French fries and hamburgers. Never hot dogs. That’s why the universe invented mustard.
 

4. Lying to protect someone’s feelings isn’t lying. It’s called empathy.
 

5. All the best stuff happens in the dark. Fireworks, movies, trick-or-treating, roasting marshmallows, Space Mountain. Try to remember that when you hear a noise in your closet at night.
 

6. Grown-ups don’t know everything. Most of us are just trying our hardest and faking it as best we can.
 

7. If a grown-up, corporation, religion, teacher, boss, and/or significant other tells you that they, in fact, do know everything, that they speak the absolute truth, that’s called fundamentalism, which is a fancy way of saying that they’re lying.
 

8. Even though, yes, I just admitted that I don’t know everything, pointing that out when we’re arguing is never going to work in your favor.
 

9. When you’re doing laundry, read the labels on your clothes. When in doubt, wash everything in cold.
 

10. One day, in the future, during a job interview, someone will ask you “What’s your greatest weakness?” This isn’t an invitation to be honest. This is a test to see how well you can answer a stupid question.
 

11. Almost everything in life is better in moderation, particularly TV, water parks, the Internet, and Twizzlers.
 

12. Want to prove to me you’re a big kid? Make it through a two-hour movie in the theater without squirming or complaining. Want to take it to the next level? Make it to the eighth inning of a baseball game.
 

13. Yes, everyone is going to die one day. And, yes, that really sucks.
 

14. No, I don’t know what happens after we die. But that’s a fascinating question. Keep asking fascinating questions.
 

15. I’ll tell you this -- I promise you will never be alone and, even after you die, we will always be together. And there is no one in heaven or on Earth who can prove that that isn’t true.
 

16. Farting is always funny. Even at the dinner table. Actually, especially at the dinner table.
 

17. Good rule to live by: If they look like they’re fine, it’s OK to laugh. If they’re really hurt, shut up and help.
 

18. Ignoring race and class doesn’t mean that you’re enlightened. It just means that you’re good at ignoring things.
 

19. Debt is evil and oppressive. If you’re going to go into debt for something, make sure it’s worth it.
 

20. On a related topic, a college education is worthless if you don’t know how to properly use an apostrophe with the letter “s.”
 

21. Science both answers questions and keeps discovering new questions to ask. This is why science is awesome.
 

22. As far as anyone knows, Santa Claus and vampires might actually exist. The world is a much more interesting place if you accept the fact that, yes, there really could be a Monster at the End of This Book.
 

23. You can be mad at someone and still love them at the same time. This can be very confusing.
 

24. Talking about abstract things is important. Having big, wild conversations about concepts like art, music, time travel, and dreams makes it much easier when you’ll eventually need to talk about things like anger, sadness, pain, and love.
 

25. Every dad needs to teach his kids the lyrics to “The Diarrhea Song.” During a long family car trip… But only when they’re ready

History of Father's Day

Earliest History of Father's Day
 

Scholars believe that the origin of Father's Day is not a latest phenomenon, as many believe it to be. Rather they claim that the tradition of Father's Day can be traced in the ruins of Babylon. They have recorded that a young boy called Elmesu carved a Father's Day message on a card made out of clay nearly 4,000 years ago. Elmesu wished his Babylonian father good health and a long life. Though there is no record of what happened to Elmesu and his father but the tradition of celebrating Father's Day remained in several countries all over the world.

History of Father's Day in US
 

Modern version of Father's Day celebration originated in United States of America and thereafter the tradition spread in countries around the world. The world owes thanks to Ms Sonora Louise Smart Dodd, a loving daughter from Spokane, Washington as it is because of her struggle that Father's Day saw the light of the day.

The idea of Father's Day celebration originated in Sonora's mind when she listened to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909. Fairly mature at the age 27, Sonora pondered if there is a day to honor mother then why not for father? Sonora felt strongly for fathers because of the affection she received from her own father Mr William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran. Sonora's mother died while childbirth when she was just 16. Mr Smart raised the newborn and five other children with love and care.

Inspired by Ms Anna Jarvis's struggle to promote Mother's Day, Ms Dodd began a rigorous campaign to celebrate Father's Day in US. The Spokane Ministerial Association and the local Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) supported Sonora's cause. As a result Spokane celebrated its first Father's Day on June 19, 1910. Though there was initial hesitation the idea gained gradual popularity all over US and Fathers Day came to be celebrated in cities across the country.

Looking at the heightened popularity of Father's Day in US, President Woodrow Wilson approved of this idea in 1916. President Calvin Coolidge too supported the idea of a national Father's Day in 1924 to, "establish more intimate relations between fathers and their children and to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations". After a protracted struggle of over four decades, President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father's Day in 1966. Then in 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday of June. Sonora Smart Dodd was honored for her contribution at the World's Fair in Spokane in 1974. Mrs. Dodd died in 1978 at age 96.

Other Theories of Fathers Day Origin
 

There are several theories behind the origination of Father's Day.
 

Some believe that the first Fathers Day church service was held in West Virginia in 1908.
 

Others opine that the ceremony was first held in Vancouver, Washington.
 

The president of Lions' Club, Chicago, Harry Meek is said to have celebrated the first Father's Day with his organization in 1915 to stress on the need to honor fathers. He selected third Sunday in June for celebration, the closest date to Meek's own birthday. In appreciation for Meek's work, the Lions 

Clubs of America presented him with a gold watch, with the inscription "Originator of Father's Day," on his birthday, June 20, 1920.
 

Some historians honor Mrs. Charles Clayton of West Virginia, as the Founder of Father's Day.
 

In 1957, Senator Margaret Chase Smith wrote Congress that, "Either we honor both our parents, mother and father, or let us desist from honoring either one. But to single out just one of our two parents and omit the other is the most grievous insult imaginable."
 

In countries where Catholic Church holds greater influence Father's Day is celebrated on St. Joseph's Day (March 19).
 

Present Day Celebrations

Father's Day Festival has gained amazing popularity over the years. The festival is considered to be a secular one and is celebrated not just in US but in a large number of countries around the world including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Norway and India though on different dates. World over people take Father's Day as an opportunity to thank father and pay tribute to them. On this day children present Father's Day cards not just to their dads but also grandfathers, uncles, stepfathers or any other person who commands the position of a father in their life. There is also a trend to present Father's Day gift to dad, most popular of all being necktie. Other popular gift being roses, the official Father's Day flower. Many people rue that the trend of presenting gifts to fathers has led to over commercialization of the festival relegating the noble idea behind Father's Day celebration.