Adoption Options--Where Do I Start?Written by Larry Denton
Children are a special gift full of love, hope, joy, and adventure. Child adoption is a wonderful option when it comes time to increase size of your family. Thousands or people adopt children each year and both they and children benefit from it greatly. It is, however, not a decision to be made lightly. Are you emotionally ready for a life-time commitment? If you are adopting because of an infertility problem, have you resolved that issue? Is your home large enough? Are you financially capable of raising a child? Do you really want responsibility of being a parent? These questions, and many more, need to be answered before proceeding with adoption process. At times, adoption process can seem complicated, time consuming, and even frustrating. However, there are many resources available to help prospective adoptive parents as well as for those women who are looking for assistance in giving their child a better life. The decision to place a child for adoption is an extremely difficult one. It is an act of great courage and much love. Remember, adoption is permanent. Children do not need "perfect" parents--they simply need one or more committed individuals who are willing to meet their basic needs and allow them to become part of a nurturing family environment. Finding your "ideal" child, who is available for adoption, can take some time. Each and every adoptive parent has their own mental picture of what they want their child to be. The more specific you are with your ideal child, harder it will be to find him or her. But no matter what child you adopt, you will end up loving him or her just as much, because all children are a special joy. There are basically two types of adoptions: confidential and open. In a confidential adoption, birth parents and adoptive parents never know each other. Adopting parents are given some background information about birth mother and father so that they may better take proper care of child--such as medical histories.
| | Gift Giving EtiquetteWritten by The Gift Wizard
Is there such a thing as gift giving etiquette? Of course! There are quite a few DOs and DON'Ts of gift giving. Remember, though, that each situation will be a little different from next, just as individuals differ from each other. We've done a little research to provide a basic gift giving guide. These aren't set in stone, but they should give you a good idea about how to approach gift giving in most situations. GIFT GIVING ETIQUETTE Dinner or Party Invitation? When someone invites you over for a "get together", you'll want to bring a small gift to show your appreciation for invitation. This could include a candle, flowers, or a bottle of wine. "Please, No Gifts" If you've been invited to a birthday party, graduation party, anniversary celebration, wedding, or any gift giving occasion and invitation specifically reads: "No Gifts, Please", then it is appropriate to respect that request. If you feel that you must bring "something", try a card or some other very small sentiment. Is money an appropriate gift? It is appropriate to give money in a few (sparse) situations, like when a teen-ager asks for it. But try to avoid giving money. It's more thoughtful to give a gift certificate or gift card, but only if you take time to consider the appropriate store or restaurant. Pick something that will be enjoyable and/or useful for gift recipient. Other Gift Giving Hints - Don't give loud toys to children - Don't give things that YOU want - Always try to wrap a gift. If you don't have time or talent to make it look nice, spend a dollar on a gift bag and some tissue paper. - Include a card with your gift, and actually write a personal note in it
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