November is National Adoption Awareness Month and We have received a number of calls from adoptive parents wanting assistance with planning a “talk” about adoption for their child’s classroom. Talking to your child's class is a wonderful way to spread the word that adoption is just one of many ways families are formed. Children love to learn about other people as much as they love to learn about themselves. Reading an adoption book to children expands everyone's world. Share a story, read a book or have a quick “talk” with your child’s class/teacher this month to celebrate your family and National Adoption Awareness month!

Other Ways to Celebrate Adoption!

• Attend our Tuesday Topic Night in November --Parents and Kids (7-9) !
• Attend the all-day seminar Putting the Pieces Together !
• Share a story with your children!
• Talk to your child's teacher or class about adoption!
• Enjoy pizza and crafts at our Fall Open House!
• Check out an adoption awareness websites (see quick links below and the the right!)

In September, CHSFS PAS had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Rich Lee on our Tuesday Topic Night. At that time Dr. Lee made a presentation "What We Know Now" about the changes in approaches to international adoption. Recent research has identified a number of pre- adoption risk factors to explain the discrepancies and mixed findings in past research on intenrational adoption. In another presentation at Metro State University in November, Dr. Lee will present on the focus of transracial and transnational aspects of international adoption

For registration information, please contact www.mnpsych.org.

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

Dear PAS: How can I help facilitate contact with my children's birthmother overseas? We just received our first letter from her, which included her phone number. Given the language barrier and the fact that my children are all under the age of 10, what is the best way to have contact with her? Also, I am thinking about traveling to their birth county and wondered when is the best time to travel? -Adoptive Parent

Dear Parent: Thank you for your very important questions! Your children are beginning to understand more and more about what adoption is and the loss that they may have experienced. .......(click here to read the remaining the Ask PAS! answer)

For Preschool/Elementary School Kids