Lately I have received quite a few comments on posts, and I just wanted to take the time to say a big thank you to those of you who took the time to write your thoughts and comments in the comment section! I absolutely love hearing from my readers, and it fills me with joy each and every time someone takes the time to respond to an article.

When I get feedback from you, the readers, it lets me know not only an insight into your life, but what you are interested in, what you would like to know more about, and what issues are still prevalent in the... more

I always enjoy Friday. With the week behind us, and the anticipation of the weekend with everyone being at home, it just always makes me look forward to a Friday afternoon. I always take time to sit and think about the week, what was accomplished, as well as to what was left undone. Most of the time I am satisfied with what has been completed, but I suppose that there is always room for improvement, and always more that we wish we would have gotten done!

This Friday was a great one for me. Not only was my husband working from home... more

Continued...

Aside from the emotional support of his or her parents, the child is also going to need financial support, and let’s not forget health insurance. Sometimes it is the stepparent whom has the health insurance, and some large insurance companies will not cover stepfamily members. And while an adoption should never occur simply because the stepparent has more money than the biological parent, if the non-custodial parent is uninvolved, and not contributing to the child financially or otherwise, it is not fair for the child... more

In order for a stepparent adoption to be completed, both biological parents must consent to the adoption. When the non-custodial parent consents to the adoption, he, or she, is giving up parental rights to the child, allowing the child’s stepparent to adopt the child. While some non-custodial parents are willing to sign over their parental rights, others, though not directly involved with the child, are not willing to sign over their rights in order for a stepparent to adoption the child.

Many times, when a parent is not involved... more

One of the most common questions asked by families whom are looking to complete a stepparent adoption is where to find an attorney whom specializes in adoptions. Many people are reluctant to simply open the phone book and randomly select a name. Some lawyers are better than others, and it is wise to speak with several before you decide on one to use.

Adoption.com has a wonderful section on their website which lists adoption professionals. You can search by state, making it easy for you to find attorneys... more

There has been a lot of talk on the adoption.com forums about allowing contact after a stepparent adoption goes through, for biological parents whom have been in the child’s life, but are willingly signing over their parental rights to their children. When children have an established bond with an uninvolved parent, it can be a difficult call as to if the relinquishing parent should still be allowed contact with the child or not.

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Often times, adoptive stepparents can become distressed, especially after having their first biological child that they do not love, or have as deep of a bond with their adopted stepchild as they should. The advice which is given out the most, is to fake it till you make it, otherwise meaning that the adoptive parent should go through the motions and pretend as though the bond is there, until they actually... more

What makes you feel more like a mother, or parent, than getting bragging rights to a child whom you love? Nothing seems to feel better than getting to sing to the world how wonderful, beautiful, or smart your child is. Recently I was afforded the opportunity to claim bragging rights. My adopted stepson has had exams all this past week. He dressed himself nicely the entire week, because he was ‘dressing for success’ in his words. Perhaps the clothes helped, or it could be that he is simply that smart, but he aced all of his tests, even receiving a one hundred percent... more

Well after a horrible cold that had knocked me down, I am once again back online. My wonderful husband took care of me while I was ill, as well as entertained the kids so that I could get some much needed rest! In fact I spent two entire days in bed, getting up only to use the bathroom, I was really quite sick! And while I appreciated my husband letting me rest and taking care of the boys, the mess that the house was in once I was feeling better was enough to make me wish that I was still in bed under the covers!

So after recovering... more

Today the Dr. Phil show featured a woman who claimed that her daughter had been abducted by her father nineteen years ago, when she was only eight months old. The woman claimed that the father had come to the house, and tried to grab both daughters, the oldest daughter was able to get away, but the baby was helpless to stop him. The cops did not step in because both parents shared joint custody of the children, so he having his daughter was not seen as a threat or illegal, even with the claim that the baby had been... more