Greetings to All!
The Importance of Self Care
 
May Issue
Recent national news points to the need for support groups and in some cases, one-on-one support.  We invite you to call or e-mail with any questions or concerns that you may have: 651-255-2437 or pas@chsfs.org.
In This Issue
The Value of Support
Coming Up This Fall
May Parent Education Classes
The Book Nook
CHSFS Support Groups
Culture Camps
Happy Mother's Day
Silly Mammo
 
The of Value of Support 
The Value of Support,  
by Emily Alewine
Parenting has often been called the hardest job you'll ever love. This rings true, possibly more so, when a family is brought together through adoption. Support groups that focus on the adoption process are very beneficial.  They offer parents the opportunity to share, understand and manage the complexities related to their experience. These issues may include the stress of waiting for a child, or may be more specific in nature.

Adoptive-parent support groups are beneficial not only to the adoptive family, but also to prospective adoptive families. Support groups allow prospective adoptive families to gain an in-depth understanding of adoption by hearing firsthand accounts from families and individuals who have already finalized the adoption process. These families offer advice, guidance and support to the prospective adoptive family.

Children can also benefit from groups. Participation in groups for adopted children and their siblings will give children comfort in knowing they are not alone in their experiences. They can share similar feelings, concerns and questions with other adopted children and in doing so, build a support network of their own.

When parents are able to utilize each other for encouragement and advice, the resulting connection can help alleviate or lesson feelings of stress, anxiety and uncertainty.  Consider expanding your support network by joining one of our many groups.  The PAS department at CHSFS can assist you in finding one that will meet your needs; feel free to call with any questions or concerns.

 
Coming Up This Fall

Post-Adoption understands how important support is for you and your family.  Please take a moment to read about some of the support groups resuming this fall.

 

West Metro Adoptive Parent Group- Facilitated by Alene Roeglin, MSW, LISW.  Second Tuesday of each month in Chanhassen 6:30-8 p.m. 

 

The Bubble Gum Years- Join CHSFS' Jenni Edwards for a six-week pre-teen support group for children ages 8-12.  Parents meet separately.  Dinner provided at 6 p.m.  Every other Monday, starting in late September.  

 

Dads on Board- Adoptive dads meet to discuss the challenges and joys of parenting. Facilitated by social workers Ben Nesbitt, MSW, LGSW and Jeff Mondloh, ACSW, LICSW. Fourth Tuesday of each month. 6:30-8.

 

My Time Too- An adoption based activity group for children ages 5-7 (similar to My Time).  This group will coincide with the parent topic presentation and the My Time group for 7-10 year olds on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

 
 

May Parent Education Classes

PE 028 Parenting as an Adventure in Whole-Family Health and Healing

Adoptive parent Dr. Karen Lawson, from the University of Minnesota's Center for Spirituality and Healing, will explore how we can hold the paradox that is parenting with grace and humor.  She will offer tools and practices for building a healthy home through commitment to family health.

May 22; 6:30-8 p.m. $20/person

 

PE 027  Parenting Adolescents

In this workshop, we will explore some of the challenges that many adoptive parents face during their child's teen years.  Facilitated by Suzanne Witte, MSW, LGSW, Minnesota's Waiting Children program and Heidi Weitzman, MSW, LGSW, Individual and Family Counseling Program.

This class will also be offered as a webinar to remote clients only.

May 22; 6:30-8 p.m. $20/person

 

For more information about all of our May education offerings or to register, follow this link.

 
Where To Find Support
The PAS Resource Center on the CHSFS website is a valuable place when looking for support.  Our site includes the following:
MN Adoption Support And Preservation (MN ASAP) is also a great resource for families.  To connect to their website click here.
 
CHSFS Birthland Tours 
It is never too early to start planning for a birthland tour!
 
Tour India!
Tour China!
 
The Book Nook

Books for parents:

  • Adoption Parenting-Jean MacLeod and Sheena Macrae
  • Beyond Good Intentions-Cheri Register
  • Post-Adoption Blues-Karen J. Foli and John R. Thompson
  • Inside Transracial Adoption-Gail Steinberg and Beth Hall
  • Global Mom: Notes from a Pioneer Adoptive Family- Lana Noone
  • Attaching in Adoption-Deborah D. Gray
Sincerely,
Heather Hosfield
Children's Home Society & Family Services
 
CHSFS Support Groups
 

New Adoptive Family Group- For families newly formed through adoption. Facilitated by  Corrie Wold, MSW, LGSW and Mary Chesemore LSW. 

For more information call Post-Adoption Services at 651-255-2437.

 

International and American Infant Waiting Families- Join others who are waiting in the midst of the adoption process.  Singles and those getting ready to travel.  Those who wish to attend must be approved by their social worker.  Facilitated by Adoption social workers, Laura Nystrom, MSW, LGSW and Alison Pluntz, MSW, LGSW. Year-round, on the second Tuesday of the month from 6-8 p.m.

 

Parents of Adult Adopted Persons- Did you adopt in the 70s or 80s? Gather to support one another and learn more about the changing world of adoption. Facilitated by Maxine Walton, MSW, LICSW and Peg Studaker, BSW.  Third  Tuesday of each month starting in September from 6:30-8:00

 
Follow this link for a complete list of all CHSFS support Groups
 
Culture Camps
Culture Camps are a wonderful venue for support.   They give children the chance to experience their own culture.   We encourage all of our clients to attend a culture camp this summer.  For a full listing of culture camps click here.
 
Happy Mother's Day!

 

M & S Grill, - 1110 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN (612) 332-3908 - is offering a free Mother's Day meal to our adoptive moms when they come in with their families to dine on Sunday, May 13, 2007.

All a mom needs to do is mention to their server that they are a Children's Home Society & Family Service's adoptive mom and their meal will be free. Reservations are recommended.

Reservations available online
 

Silly Mammo

Ethiopians For Ethiopians would like to invite you to a free, one-time event.

 

Dr. Yohannes Gebregeorgis the author of Silly Mammo, the most famous, bilingual, Ethiopian folktale will be giving a children's storytime. He will speak on storytelling and folktales in Ethiopian culture and literacy in Ethiopia.

Children are welcome!

 

Friday, May 11, 6:00pm

Ethiopian Evangelical Church in MN

 

For more information or to RSVP email: Ethiopia@bellward.com

 

This email was sent to hhosfield@chsfs.org, by hhosfield@chsfs.org
Children's Home Society & Family Services | 1605 Eustis Street | St. Paul | MN | 55108