Chinese Cultural Activities in Pennsylvania

In International Adoption professionals stress the importance of maintaining culture. This is difficult when the child comes to a new environment and there is less access to these services, activities, or events. Families United Network works exclusively in the state of Pennsylvania. Listed below are three separate organizations that provide Chinese language, music, or dance for children. This can be a fun activity for all your children and family! 

Holidays and the Adoption Journey

The holidays are stressful and a rush of events. For children who are adopted they can feel caught up in all the motions. Please take time for them and yourselves to appreciate the way life has brought you together as a family. Read below for a few words of advice as we are on the cusp of a holiday season. No matter if you’re waiting, internationally or domestically adopted, make sure you are prepared for this season of giving, joy, and holiday spirit. 

After the home study process is completed, families begin the harrowing task of waiting. Waiting is a time of unknowns and putting faith in the placement agency. Families handle waiting in different ways. Rather than counting the days, we recommend being productive and busy! Here are 5 of the things we would recommend a family do during their waiting time:

NBC’s “This Is Us” and adoption

This Is Us has to turned into one of the most talked about and watched NBC Prime-time shows of the fall and continues into Spring. To boil it down, the show focuses on three siblings and their family. Of course each character is diverse and the timing of the show is exquisite. However, one of the central ideas is the fact that a white family from Pittsburgh adopts a black newborn that was left at a firehouse. They do not delve into the gritty paperwork behind their adoption (if it happened at all in the 70’s), but they discuss the implication of this white family raising “triplets” and not fully understanding what it means to raise a black child. In the show, another black mother gave the family suggestions about basic care needs that they were unaware of, especially in a time without the internet. It was not a lack of love, but rather they were culturally unaware.

This is why cultural training is so important for families as well as being open to having a relationship for birth parents. This sense of connection to a deeper heritage is truly important for any adopted child. Rebecca Carroll is also a child adopted by a white family. She recently wrote an article for Vulture.  In her article she discusses how This Is US  nailed the terms of her childhood as well as how they differed. Seeing the narrative from a first hand, non-fictitious person helps to solidify the ideas that many adopted kiddos go through.

Please leave your thoughts in the comments.

If you are unexpectedly pregnant, adoption is an option. Call one of our Social Workers today to receive free options counseling. 800-722-0136.

The Day We Met You

This delightful book written by Phoebe Koehler is a beautiful telling of an adoptive family. She describes how the couple made a home for their adoptive baby to protect, love, and care for them. The couple describes their joy in seeing their child for the first time as like seeing the sun shining through the clouds. The afterwards gives advice to parents on how to raise their children being comfortable talking about their adoption story. Both the beautiful story of preparation and meeting as well as the helpful tips for talking about adoption makes this book a perfect blend to begin the discussion of the child’s adoption history.

You may find the book for purchase on Amazon. Please do not forget to Smile for Families United Network, Inc when purchasing any gifts this Holiday Season.