"Adoption is redefining the American family: International and transracial adoptions are speeding up the nation's diversity by creating more multicultural families and communities. And as more same-sex couples and single parents adopt, and more grandparents adopt their grandchildren following parental abuse or neglect, the 21st century American family has many looks and meanings," notes journalist Adam Pertman in his best seller Adoption Nation: How The Adoption Revolution is Transforming America (Basic Books, 2001).

From the article: Adopting a New American Family by Jamie Chamberlin To read this article in its entirety, click here.

For grandparents experiencing adoption in their families, the question may be, "What is my role?" For some, the experience happens from afar with occasional visits. For others, grandparents may be the care provider and/or actively involved in the adoption process. In either case, author Beth O'Malley, M.Ed. has some "Helpful Hints for the Adoptive Grandparent."

• People are fascinated by adoption, and this fascination can lead well-meaning friends and neighbors to pose very personal questions. Remember that a child's adoption story is akin to a conception story. It is private, and one should consult with the adopted person before sharing the details.

Read more of Beth O'Malley's Helpful Hints for the Adoptive Grandparent

Being a dad is an awesome job, but being an adoptive dad has added challenges. Join other dads for a monthly group facilitated by General Adoption Social Worker Ben Nesbitt, LSW, MSW.

This gathering offers an opportunity to "compare notes" with other adoptive dads and to share ideas. Each month will be topic-based, but will also allow ample time to discuss the challenges that participants may be facing in their own families.

This group is free to all families whose adoption was through CHSFS and $10/person for non-CHSFS families. Meetings will be held March 27, April 24 and May 22. 6-8 p.m. at CHSFS, 1605 Eustis Street, St. Paul, MN 55108. Please call Alene Roeglin at 651-255-2369 to register today!

Single parenting in adoption can be a challenge, and often single parents benefit from a network of support;family, friends, work, support groups, play groups, cultural groups, on-line single parent forums and adoption education can help form this network. Your support network becomes most important when the unexpected occurs. By establishing your network early on, your life and your child’s life becomes a bit more manageable, a bit more predictable and a lot less lonely.

The Support Group for Single Adoptive Parents who are waiting for referral or waiting to travel is offered on the second Tuesday of each month. Please contact Karne Nelson-Zilka at 651- 255-2223 for more information.

Reading Recommendations for Single Parenting:

• Adoption on Your Own: The Complete Guide to Adoption for Single Parents by Varon
• Handbook for Single Adoptive Parents by Marindin

If you have a question related to you or your child's adoption, please email aroeglin@chsfs.org. Please note that we cannot respond to all emails, but stay tuned to upcoming issues of this newsletter to see if your question is answered. Thank you!!

Dear PAS: We are considering attending Kid's Time or Bubble Gum Years but we are worried about how our child, who has two moms, will be received in this setting. -Adoptive Mom

Dear Adoptive Parent: CHSFS's adoption groups for children are a great way to help your child learn how to respond to questions in a safe environment. Because of the small group size and the knowledgeable facilitators conversations can be easily turned into teachable moments. With the support and guidance of trained professionals your child has the opportunity to practice what to say and how to say it. Chances are your child will be in these groups with other children who have many different kinds of family make ups. What an affirmation! As author Todd Parr's book says It's O.K. To Be Different!

Books for Young Children

• The Best Single Mom in the World -Zisk
• Raising You Alone -Warren
• The Skin I'm In -Thomas
• Brown Like Me -Lamperti
• It's Okay to Be Different - Parr
• And Tango Makes Three - Parnell
• Emma and Meesha my Boy: a two-mom story -Considine

For Adult Book Recommendations, read individual articles above.