Blisstree » orphanages

Toilet Training Russian Adoptees

Marcie — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:37:48 +0000

Russian Adoptees are said to be toilet trained as soon as they can sit up because as soon as they can do this they can certainly sit on a potty or a pot and go to the bathroom on their own. Of course, some of the children who can sit up on their own can’t stand on their own or walk by themselves but they can certainly scoot on their potty and play with the other children in the bathroom. It becomes more of a game to them than potty time.

From what I have seen this type of toilet training is not successful after adoption, as most children go through a regression period and will revert to some sort of diaper period either for a short time period or a long time (depending upon age of adoption, the amount of time in the orphanage, personal needs, trauma, etc). For AJ, who was two at the time of adoption and dry 100 percent of the time, there was a full regression to diapers for almost two years and he is still in night time diapers. Granted, AJ has sensory issues as well as MAJOR gastrointestinal issues.

I have to say that the only thing that eventually worked for AJ was that he wanted to be trained and he wanted to go on the potty. We had used what he liked to call Kaka Cars (Hot Wheels) and candy and they worked when we initially trained him at 3.5-years-old. Unfortunately, he regressed when we went on two vacations in a row. He finally trained at almost 4-years-old (but on his own terms).

He still has problems with holding, as he wants to play. I have to constantly remind him that he CAN go potty and come back. So, I pause play with imaginary remotes, he runs inside, pees, and runs back outside…

Post from: Blisstree

Toilet Training Russian Adoptees

ArkAngels Fundraiser!

Marcie — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:42:53 +0000

Lisa, the president of ArkAngels for Russian Orphans, is hosting an online fundraising auction and is currently looking for donations of products and services. ArkAngels is a 501(c)(3) non- profit raising money to improve the living conditions and educational opportunities in orphanages in Russia; you can visit her web page. You can check out their auction site here.

And for some ideas of the kinds of donations we are looking for, you can check out the March 18 entry on her blog.

I donated this beautiful necklace because you all know exactly where AJ is from, right? Ark!

Post from: Blisstree

ArkAngels Fundraiser!

Health Issues in Orphanages

Marcie — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:14:53 +0000

Dr. Federici, who has visited hundreds of orphanages, explains some of the health issues a child may encounter in Adopted, The Movie.

Post from: Blisstree

Health Issues in Orphanages

Overstimulation and Adopted Children

Marcie — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:11:56 +0000

Dr. Jane Aronson does a FANTASTIC job of explaining Sensory Integration issues for kids from Institutions.

Post from: Blisstree

Overstimulation and Adopted Children

Ethiopia Adoption

Marcie — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:30:42 +0000

Ethiopia adoption is on the rise, there is no question about it. In 2000 95 children were adopted from Ethiopia. In 2006 732 children were adopted.

Ethiopia, rumored to be plagued by floods, famine, and disease (most commonly AIDS), is a land “of rugged beauty and is the oldest independent country in Africa” Adoption Associates calls Ethiopia the land of one thousand miles.

There are currently seven U.S. based adoption agencies that are able to work in Ethiopia;
Adoption Associates
Children’s Home Society and Family Services
Wide Horizons for Children
Gladney Center for Adoption
Adoption Advocates, International

The estimated cost for Ethiopia adoption is between $15,000 and 21,000 and with timeline is approximately 6 to 24 months from submission of the dossier (although most agencies will tell you the wait is much closer to 6-10 months).

Children in Ethiopia are living in orphanages and hospitals mainly because they are orphaned due to poverty, war, drought or famine. Some of their parents have even died of disease. They are all tested for HIV and other infectious diseases and illnesses.

Post from: Blisstree

Ethiopia Adoption

“Slamming the Door”

Marcie — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:37:57 +0000

The Washington Post reported Sunday that the Guatemalan shutdown that seemed temporary will most likely take a lot longer than expected.

It also seems that our fine State Department has also been behind the shut down and for a reform not necessarily for bringing our children home in an expedited manner like we have always been told.

And, of course, UNICEF, has stuck its foot in there to grab the attention for human rights and as I reported before…to supposedly donate money in order to clean everything up.Unfortunately, for these children the option is adoption or the streets. UNICEF favors foster care systems, or orphanages but we all know how kids turn out in countries with little or no funding. See Romania or Russia?

Post from: Blisstree

“Slamming the Door”

Theraplay Institute

Marcie — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:38:02 +0000

Gayle Christensen, the Executive Director of The Theraplay Institute has announced that they have received a grant from the Pioneer Press Charitable Foundation to conduct an attachment based parenting class for newly adoptive families.

The class will target at risk children from foreign orphanages, foster homes, and children with developmental delays due to autism, FAS, etc.

According to The Theraplay Institute’s official site, Theraplay is defined as: Theraplay® is a structured play therapy for children and their parents. Its goal is to enhance attachment, self-esteem, trust in others and joyful engagement. The method is fun, physical, personal and interactive and replicates the natural, healthy interaction between parents and young children.

If you are interested, your child has been home less than a year, and you live in the Chicago area, please contact the Theraplay Institute.
3330 Old Glenview Road, Suite 8, Wilmette, IL 60091
847/256 7334 (phone) 847/256-7370 (fax)

Post from: Blisstree

Theraplay Institute