Looking to adopt / Adoptive parents

Posted by joshmomm (3 days ago)

Hi,

A friend has asked for my help to see if adoptive parents would find it helpful to have a DVD that would help them know what to expect, provide suggested activities to help institutionalized children "catch up," etc. It's basically a wellness program designed to help integrate adopted /foster children into their new families and surroundings.

"The tools and techniques provided in this particular DVD have already been proven wildly successful in integrating adopted children into their new loving homes and surroundings. Topics include:

- Experiences of other adoptive families
- Learn about developmental delays from a pediatric physical therapist
- What is oral aversion? Find out how your child can overcome this with your help
- Nutrition advice from an expert
- Can an adoptive mother breastfeed their newly adopted child? Sure they can! Find out how!
- Bonding and Attachment disorders, hear from an expert in this area of mental health
- Learn about the benefits of music therapy
- Learn how to conduct an infant massage session in the comfort of your own home
- Learn how to communicate with your newly adopted child using sign language.
------------------

I would greatly appreciate your thoughts and comments. Thank you in advance.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by sunniefaith (3 days ago)

I would be interested.

Just one question, is the DVD skewed towards Caucasians adopting Asian kids? We're of Chinese descent from Spore and we're in the process of adopting a child in HK and it would be not as useful if the DVD is very skewed towards that direction. For us, it is still a cross cultural adoption but not as much at the same time.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Scuba chick (3 days ago)

Joshmomm, check out the Adoptive Families of HOng Kong association. They may have some materials

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Mighty (3 days ago)

How about including when and how to tell your adopted child/children that they are adopted? Of course, this applies to families adopting very young children.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by aemom (3 days ago)

We've adopted twice in HK and have facilitated adoptions from China for other families.

I don't think we would have been interested in watching a DVD. It's a rather passive thing to do, like watching TV in the evening when there's nothing else to do.

Part of our HK adoption process was to watch 2 or 3 DVDs - not that great or informative for us.

The DVD would have to be of VERY high quality which probably means very high price.

From a business standpoint: It might be something that adoption units would purchase for use by their clients, but not sure it is something enough individuals would purchase to make the cost and effort of production worthwhile.

Perhaps a website with membership access and advertising banners would be a better idea.

Good luck to your friend though!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by joshmomm (3 days ago)

Thank you all for your input so far.

The DVD has already been produced. They will be giving the DVD free-of-charge to orphanages and foster homes in China to help educate and train the staff to make the transition for the adoptive children smoother.

Sunniefaith - Good luck with being matched. From what I have seen of the DVD, yes, it is slightly more geared towards Westerners adopting Asian babies. I say that only because 1) the adoptive parents featured are Westerners; 2) babies featured are mostly Asian babies, with some Hispanic babies; 3) the DVD has been put together and produced in the US. That said -- the topics covered are quite encompassing and would apply to any adoption regardless of race or nationality.

Scuba chick - Thanks. I'll check them out.

Mighty/aemom - Noted. I will pass your suggestions and comments along to my friend.
----------

More comments and thoughts are welcome!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by sunniefaith (3 days ago)

Thanks joshmum.

I'm actually finding hard to get reading materials in English dealing with adoption in an Asian family. My family is somewhat accepted the fact that we're adopting a child, except for my dad. He's a little in denial but he can't say much because my mum is adopted as well. However, issue is now with my in laws. We have not mentioned anything to them. We might just turn up in Spore with our adopted child in about 10 months' and surprise my in laws. They are very conservative.

(I am based in Hong Kong)