112 Weddings Review (Adoption Movie Guide)

Filmmaker David Block has been the videographer for over a hundred weddings over the past two decades. His documentary, 112 Weddings, debuts Monday on HBO and revisits several of those couples.

112 Weddings is an honest, heartwarming, and sometimes sad exploration of what makes marriage work. There are moments of insightful levity; a rabbi muses, “A wedding is easy to make happy; you throw money and alcohol at it. But a marriage is harder to make happy. Throwing money and alcohol at it often makes it worse.”

As Block revisits and interviews couples, his subjects reveal that their lives post-wedding have not been easy. Some couples have decided to divorce. Others remain firmly committed to each other and speak of life being cyclical – with lows to be endured and highs to be enjoyed.

One couple performed a commitment ceremony thirteen years ago, and only now are getting married. Block asked their daughter how she felt about it; her smile was huge. A same-sex couple shares that being allowed to be married means a great deal to them because marriage is how society identifies people. The power of commitment in some marriages is evident; couples acknowledge that their relationships are not ideal, but are still worth keeping. One interviewee explained that the fact of marriage makes it more likely that a couple will work together through issues rather than separating on a whim. As Block says, “Happily ever after is complicated.”

Recommendation

112 Weddings gets my recommendation for a parent date night film, or maybe even for a family movie night. It could serve as an invitation for children to ask questions about how their families have formed. Kids being raised by single parents might not find the film relevant. Families who have experienced divorce may find the film painful; one couple is going through divorce, and the wife’s grief is powerful. 

112 Weddings debuts Monday, June 30 at 9:00 PM on HBO.

Lilo and Stitch Adoption Movie Review

On a distant planet, a mad scientist has created 626, an experimental creature bred for destruction. Although the Grand Councilwoman condemns 626 to destruction, it escapes and ultimately arrives to Earth, landing on Hawaii. 626 is mistaken for a dog, and is adopted from a shelter by Lilo, a young girl who is being cared for by her 19-year-old sister Nani. Lilo names 626 “Stitch.” Nani was already having trouble caring for her sister, and Stitch’s destructive tendencies make life even worse. Social worker Cobra Bubbles has become very concerned about Lilo’s safety, and has given Nani three days to convince him not to take Lilo into foster care.

How is This Relevant to Foster Care / Adoption?

There are two strong adoption and foster care connections. Stitch is far away from home, living with a new family. His behaviors are destructive and many people are initially uncertain as to whether he can fit into this (or any) family. Some children in foster care exhibit behaviors that frustrate, worry, or confuse their caregivers. At the same time, Nani and Lilo experience the stressful involvement of child and protective services. This will be familiar to most children who have been in (or are in) foster care.   Lilo has also experienced significant loss (her parents have died.) She comments, “I remember everyone that leaves.” She prays for a friend. She wonders whether hers is “a broken family.” She struggles with viewing Nani as both a sister and a mother. Her feelings are likely to resonate with feelings that kids have had while journeying through foster care.

Ultimately, a family is formed between Nani, Lilo and some unrelated folks. This illustrates adoption into a new family as well as adoption by an older sibling.

Positive Elements

Someone suggests that Stitch should be returned because of his behavior. Lilo protests, “We adopted him and family means that nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” It’s powerful. Stitch eventually overcomes his destructive behavior once he finds a sense of belonging in Lilo’s family. This kind of reminds me of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which suggests that people can invest in love and belonging once they know that they’re safe and stable.

Cobra Bubbles is a firm but compassionate social worker. That’s a hopeful but reasonable expectation of most social workers in the foster care field. As a social worker, I appreciate this film’s avoidance of the negative and unhelpful stereotypes of social workers that seem to predominate most films, and I think it is probably helpful for kids to realize that their social workers are not typically villainous, even if they are sometimes intimidating.

The film affirms that a family doesn’t have to be perfect to be positive. Stitch claims Lilo and Nani as his family, saying “This is my family. It’s a little broken but it’s still good.”

Concerns

When it seems that Lilo will be taken from Nani, Nani blames Stitch. Some kids watching this film will likely identify with Lilo, but for the ones who identify with Stitch this could be painful. It gives a parental voice to the belief that a child can cause a family to be separated. Even though Stitch eventually saves Lilo and is accepted into the family, these words are never expressly taken back.

Recommendations

Because Nani and Lilo ultimately stay together, this could be a painful film for kids who weren’t able to reunify with their families, and for the families that have lost kids to foster care. Aside from that, though, I see that this film both allows for a broad definition of family while also underscoring the importance of biological family and emphasizing that nontraditional families can work, even when faced with significant challenges. It also shows social workers as allies. I like it. Lilo and Stitch seems like probably a good choice for most kids between the ages of 7 and 10, allowing for the one concern I mentioned at the beginning of this section.

Questions for Discussion

For Lilo and Stitch, family means “No one gets left behind or forgotten.” What does family mean to you?

Lilo remembers everyone who has left. Who do you remember?

What do you pray for?

The Case Against 8 Review (Adoption Movie Review)

Today, HBO will be premiering “The Case Against 8,” a feature-length documentary exploring the legal journeys of two same-sex couples in California who wish to marry. The issue of adoption isn’t raised in the documentary, but one interviewee asked an interesting question: how will children already being raised by same-sex couples be impacted if the couple is (or isn’t) allowed to get married? The documentary suggests that if familial stability is good for children and if marriage increases familial stability, then allowing a child’s parental figures to marry will only help the child. 

The Case Against 8 clearly supports the legalization of same-sex marriage. Unlike some voices on both sides of this debate, the documentary is reasoned and does not seem sensationalist. When dealing with issues so central to the lives of many, where people on each side have devoutly-held beliefs, “reasoned” is a goal. It’s hard to have a conversation when both sides are screaming; The Case Against 8 doesn’t scream. It will be upsetting for some, affirming for others, and perhaps thought-provoking for many. There seem to be some parallels between the film's focus and adoption laws; currently, same-sex couples are permitted to adopt in some states while being prohibited from adopting together in other states. It would be interesting to see a documentary covering those laws. For now, this film raises some powerful questions.

The film debuts tonight at 9:00 on HBO.

A Therapist Weighs in on How To Train Your Dragon 2

Brooke Randolph, an adoptive mom, therapist, and adoption professional wrote me recently with her thoughts on How to Train Your Dragon 2. I reviewed the film last week (click here for my review). Because it's such a potentially popular - and potentially powerful film - I think it's worth getting a second opinion. Here's Brooke:

As a single mom, movies don't normally fit into the budget, so when I had the opportunity to take my son to a pre-release showing of How To Train Your Dragon 2, I jumped at it. My son loves movies and he particularly enjoyed How To Train Your Dragon. I wasn't concerned with any of the content in the original, so I wasn't concerned about seeing the sequel without a review from Addison. My son enjoyed the experience, but I left with re-affirmation that foster adoptive parents must preview or find adoption specific reviews before viewing any film with a foster or adoptive child, even when it seems like it should be "safe". As a mom (not as a movie reviewer) and maybe as a therapist that specializes in adoption two things stuck out to me.

Near the beginning, while Hiccup is trying to talk to his father, one of the 'pet' dragons makes a mistake and is told "you're going to be put up for adoption". This is kind of in the background and I do not think my son noticed; but of course it got my attention, and I was dismayed. I am not a fan of the overuse of the word adoption and how it can confuse children and lead to false perceptions about adoption.  (link to http://www.brooke-randolph.com/Blog/Dont_Adopt_This_Holiday_Season) A threat of being removed from the family as a result of a mistake can exacerbate feelings and fears of children who believe that they were the cause of separation from birth/first family through their behavior. Children make mistakes. A threat of separation from family for a mistake - even a major infraction - is frightening and inappropriate for any child, whether he or she had already experienced such a separation or not. For the children who have been separated from family for any reason in the past, such a joke phrase can be an emotional trigger.

Hiccup is dealing with identity issues as part of the plot, something to which many who have been adopted can relate. He attributes this identity crisis to never knowing his mother, whom everyone believed had died when she was taken away by a dragon. Hiccup's mother unexpectedly finds him, and they discover that they are very much alike. I have concerns about how this can complicate fantasies that birth/first families will return. These types of fantasies are understandable and part of how children process adoption. As presented, the film suggests that even death is not final and anything is possible. There is a nearly perfect family reunion in the movie, but in reality reunions are often complicated by a variety of personality factors and issues. Reunions are rarely as simple as "they lived happily ever after." In true Disney fashion, Stoic, Hiccup's father is killed before they can return home together as a reunited family. I cannot decide if this detail is helpful or not to a child's processing of the film in relation to adoption issues.

While the first reference was disappointing to me, I wished I would have had some warning regarding the plot twist. For me this affirmed the importance of this site and Addison's work. While I may not budget for the theater frequently, when my dad wants to take my son to a movie, I read Addison's reviews. A movie theater creates an intensified sensory and emotional experience through the large dark room, surround sound, and bigger than life screen. It is a place where emotional separation becomes more difficult.  Adoption triggers can pop up anywhere at any time. Adoptive parents have to be ready to address inappropriate comments and answer questions for their children at any time. Yet if I can avoid triggers in a movie theater where they can potentially be more powerful, I want to do that for my child. When reviews suggest that there may be something emotional or intense in a film, I am much more likely to wait to watch it together at home than view it in a theater.

Bio: Brooke Randolph, LMHC, is a parent, therapist, and adoption professional with more than 20 years of experience working with children and families. She is a private practice counselor in Indianapolis, Indiana; the Vice President of PR, Outreach, and Communications at KidsFirst Adoption Services; and the mental health expert contributor at DietsInReview.com, a national diet and fitness column. She was a founding member of MLJ Adoptions, Inc., where she served as the VP of Social Services for seven years. She adopted an older child internationally as a single woman, which she considers one of the most difficult and most rewarding things she has ever done. She has authored adoption education materials and presented at numerous conferences and workshops throughout North America. Brooke is primarily motivated to encourage, equip, and empower parents and individuals to make changes that strengthen their lives, their careers, and their families.

http://www.brooke-randolph.com/

http://www.facebook.com/brookerandolphlmhc

http://www.twitter.com/choosingchange

Find Brooke on Google +

Good Movies for Fathers' Day - 5 Good Movies for Kids Featuring Adoptive Dads

Many times, kids who have come through foster care have not had a positive relationship with their father, and may not have a ready concept of a kind paternal figure. Here are some kid-friendly films that do a good job of showing genuine, caring father figures in relation with their children. I’ve gone ahead and linked the titles of the movies to the Adoption Movie Guides; feel free to click through.

   

Admission:  John adopted Nelson. Nelson was born in Uganda. John intends to do many good things in his life, but is sometimes a bit headstrong. He had expected Nelson to travel the world with him, doing John’s version of good deeds, but eventually learns to listen to Nelson’s needs and desires. Dad points: Sensitivity and good listening.

Chimpanzee: In this Disney Nature film, a young chimpanzee named Oscar is separated from his mother. He is unable to find nurturance from any of the adults in his tribe, until he is embraced by Freddy, the gruff leader of the tribe. Freddy provides for Oscar, tolerates his youthful energy, and teaches him important life skills. Dad points: Protection and nurturing.

Despicable Me 2: Former supervillain Gru has become a caring, loving father to his three girls. He even dresses up as a princess to celebrate one of their birthdays. Dad points: loving and playful.

Kung Fu Panda 2: Mr. Ping, a goose, has adopted Po, a panda. In the second Kung Fu Panda movie, Mr. Ping shares Po’s story with Po. He encourages Po to thrive, and remains perpetually proud of him. Mr. Ping is also probably the most non-threatening character I can imagine. Dad points: Approachable, honest, proud and accepting of his son.

Martian Child: David and his wife intended to adopt a child from a group home. When David’s wife dies, he still chooses to pursue adoption and is matched with Dennis a boy who finds it very difficult to trust that his relationships will last. David and Dennis share fun moments, deep conversations, forgiveness, and one of the most powerful statements of parental love that I’ve ever seen in a film. Dad points: Imperfect but loving, commitment.

Those are five of the best ones I’ve reviewed so far. Which films would you add to this list?   Which films have you seen that portray really positive maternal figures? Comment below!

Whatever your connection to adoption, Happy Father's Day!

Want to watch something after the kids have called it a night?   Two more good movies featuring strong "dad" characters are Delivery Man and Instructions Not Included.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 Adoption Movie Review

Hiccup is a young Viking enjoying his life. He is the son of Stoick the Vast, the chief of the village of Berk. Hiccup is preparing to marry Astrid, a beautiful young woman and an accomplished dragon rider. Hiccup is also enjoying exploring the world on the back of his dragon, Toothless. Together they are discovering new lands, and learning how to help each other fly. On one journey, Hiccup, Astrid and their dragons are capture by Eret son of Eret, a dragon trapper who is working for the villainous Drago Bludvist. Drago intends to use dragons to control the world.

*Heavy spoilers ahead the rest of the way *

How Does This Relate to Adoption?

Hiccup’s mother left Hiccup long ago. Hiccup does not know why. Largely because of this, he has some identity issues. He tells a friend, “You know exactly who you are, but I’m still looking. I know I’m not my father and I’ve never met my mother, but what does that make me?” (His friend responds by saying that Hiccup’s identity is not out in the world – but in his heart.

In this film, he unexpectedly finds her and gets all of his questions answered. His first question to her is an honest one, “Where have you been all this time?” Hiccup’s mom shortly asks him whether he’s upset. He doesn’t seem to be, but does express, “It’s a lot to get my head around.”

In the course of the film, Hiccup loses his father (his father is killed by Hiccup’s own dragon.)

The relationship between Viking and dragon is a close, loving partnership between two people from different families (or species in this case.) Drago Bludvist tries to use a father (Alpha) dragon to rip apart the relationship between Vikings and dragons.

Positive Points

The film shows that identity is drawn from your roots, but also shaped by your own choices.

The theme, “Leaders protect their own” runs through the film. However, as the film progresses, the definition of “our own” seems to become more inclusive.

Although the reunion of Hiccup’s parents is unrealisticly quick and simple – they sing one of the most delightful love songs I’ve heard in a film.

Challenges

The villain uses control of will to bend dragons to do his bidding. One character expresses, “Good dragons under the control of bad people do  bad things.” Drago compels Toothless to kill Hiccup’s father. Hiccup initially sends Toothless away, but ultimately forgives him.

Hiccup attends his father’s funeral and openly mourns. The scene is powerful, but might be too sad for kids who are mourning lost parents.

Weak Points

One character jokingly tells an underperforming dragon, “I’m going to put you up for adoption.” The line is delivered so quickly that it might be missed, but some people will hear it and be bothered by it.

Recommendations

Parents reunited.

I’ve never cried while wearing 3D glasses, but this almost became the first time. How to Train Your Dragon 2 is far more powerful than I expected for a kids movie. Hiccup finds his long lost mother. His father dies, killed by Hiccup’s own pet/friend/dragon. Hiccup inherits his father’s place as chief of the village. How to Train Your Dragon 2 is a well-made, exciting film with friendly characters, beautiful visuals, and a strong enough plot to keep parents and kids entertained and invested. It will appeal to kids as young as 4 or 5 because of the appearance of the film, and will probably be enjoyable for a goo number of adults too.

There’s one caveat though – the film might not be a good fit for kids (or teens) who have lost or lost contact with any of their parents. The film is powerful, and the specific issues that make it powerful might be very hard for some viewers to enjoy: a long-absent mother being reintroduced out of nowhere, parents quickly and seamlessly reunifying, and father dying – quickly, unexpectedly, violently and onscreen. This is a good, well-made movie. In the course of being a good movie, it has one of the highest trigger potentials I’ve seen recently. Foster and adoptive parents should probably see this first to decide whether it will be too heavy for their kids.

Dreamworks Animation is also the studio behind Kung Fu Panda (click here) which has some pretty strong adoption themes. If you haven’t checked out the Kung Fu Panda movies, you might like to.

  

Scores

Adoption/Foster Relevance: 6/10

Trigger Potential: 9/10

I enjoyed it: 9/10

(I’m not sure if I’ll give scores like these to every film. Are they helpful? Answer in the comments...)

Questions for Discussion

Is your identity derived from your parents (Hiccup and his mother share a love of – and skill with – dragons), or is it self-generated (Astrid told Hiccup, “who you are is not out there, it’s in here.”)?

As with the recent X-Men movies (click here for the latest review), an important question is raised: What do you do with the pain that others have introduced into your life? Do you turn it outward, acting in anger against others, or do you work for healing and peace?

Are there people that are important to you that you don’t see anymore? What do you imagine about them? What would you ask them if you could?

Tangled Adoption Movie Review

An old witch named Mother Gothel has discovered a plant from which she drew eternal youth. Although she tried to keep it hidden, it was discovered by the King, who used it to save his wife who was near death while pregnant. The queen recovers, and her daughter Rapunzel is infused with the healing power of the plant. One night, Gothel kidnaps the infant Rapunzel. She keeps Rapunzel sequestered in a tower, under the dual illusions that the world outside of the tower is very dangerous and that Gothel is her mother. While Gothel continues to benefit from Rapunzel’s healing abilities, Rapunzel’s parents mourn her loss, and institute an annual celebration to both commemorate her birth and to hope for her return. They launch lanterns into the sky each night on her birthday. Rapunzel has seen them every year from her tower window and wonders what they are. She longs to see them closer up, but is forbidden from leaving the tower. One day, she tricks Gothel into leaving the tower for several days. Taking this opportunity, Rapunzel sets off to see the lights.

How Is This Relevant to Adoption?

Gothel is raising Rapunzel as her own daughter. Rapunzel has no idea of her previous history, and Gothel has no intention of telling her. It’s really easy to use Rapunzel as a way to illustrate the problems with secrecy in adoption. Rapunzel’s parents grieve her loss. When she does reunite with them, they are overjoyed.

Strong Points

Gothel firmly insists on secrecy, and is ultimately revealed as a villain. Also, Rapunzel affirms that she always kind of knew the truth. When she finds the truth, she is angry. This does illustrate the damage of secrecy.

It’s obvious that Rapunzel’s parents love and miss her. They have never forgotten her. This could be a comforting reassurance for some children.

Weak Points

This isn’t an adoption. Gothel stole Rapunzel. She lies to her and manipulates her. Rapunzel is only freed when she rejects Gothel, causing Gothel’s death. Some kids who have been adopted have fears that they were stolen. This movie could introduce – or strengthen – those fears. It also could confuse some children into believing that adoptive parents are not legitimate and that they must reject them in order for life to be as it should.

Everything that Gothel does is manipulative. Even her assertions of love for Rapunzel have to be called into question. This could be a really difficult thing for kids to see if they’ve already been the victims of manipulation by adults that had professed love for them – whether birth parents or previous foster/adoptive parents.

Gothel is horrible. She even stabs Rapunzel’s boyfriend.

Recommendations

Although Tangled feels like a kid-friendly film, I do see some potentially heavy challenges for young kids who haven’t developed a full understanding of adoption. That’s unfortunate, because it is kids of that age who would be most drawn to this film. I can’t really recommend it. There are some similar animated films with strong female characters that don’t have the same problems. Take a look at Frozen, Despicable Me 2, or Ernest and Celestine.

Questions and Thoughts for Discussion

How is our adoption different than Gothel’s relationship with Rapunzel?

Do you imagine that your birthparents still think of you? I bet they do.  I bet they have some sad and some 

peaceful feelings about your adoption, and it’s OK if you have both kinds of feelings, too. Many people have mixed feelings about this.

Remembering the Artist: Robert De Niro Sr. Debuts Tomorrow on HBO (Review)

Remembering the Artist: Robert De Niro, Sr. premiers Monday June 9, 2014 at 9PM on HBO. This 40-minute feature from HBO Documentary Films shares an introduction to the art and career of Robert De Niro, Sr., and features many personal insights from the late artist’s son, the actor Robert De Niro.

De Niro, Sr. was a prominent painter in New York City in his early adult years, but fell out of the spotlight as trends in art shifted away from his style. The artist seems to have struggled with depression due to difficulties in his life – his art career did not maintain the high level of esteem for which he hoped, and his marriage ended when he realized his own homosexual feelings. The artist separated from his wife when his son was two years old.

Although the film is about the art of the senior De Niro, the participation of his son is particularly interesting. 

Robert De Niro participated in this film with the goal of helping his father regain the recognition he felt he deserved as an artist. Robert De Niro also has maintained his father’s studio so that his own children can appreciate their grandfather’s work. De Niro noted that as “a kid, I wasn’t interested in going to [my father’s art] shows,” but that now he feels it is “important for children to appreciate the things your parents [do] of they want to share it with you.”

De Niro often helped his father throughout his father’s struggles (in one letter, his father calls him an “angel,”) but also expresses regret that he did not help his father even more. De Niro may be responding to his regrets by immersing himself in his father’s artwork.

Remembering the Artist: Robert De Niro, Sr. is an interesting film for fans of the actor and for lovers of art. It also may connect with people who for one reason or another, have not had quite the relationship they had hoped for with their parents. It probably will connect with adults rather than kids. The film first runs June 9, 2014 at 9 PM on HBO.

Questions for After the Film

De Niro and each of his parents were very creative. What traits and talents run in your family? In the first family of the child you adopted?

It’s possible that De Niro’s investment in his father’s artwork is fueled by sadness at the loss of his father. If this is the case, it seems like a healthy way to process grief. What losses do you mourn in your own life? 

What losses might your child be mourning? In what healthy, creative ways can you honor what was lost?

Interested in more documentary reviews? Click here!

Check out this list of adoption-related films now playing in theaters: Click here.

Antwone Fisher Adoption Movie Review

I watched Antwone Fisher early in my career as a foster care social worker. Several years later, I watched it again for this review. The film is less negative, but more potentially traumatizing, than I remembered. Fisher is a young man serving in the Navy. He grew up in foster care; much of his life was in an abusive foster home. After he aged out, he experienced homelessness. After his best friend was killed, Antwone joined the Navy. While there, he is often in trouble for engaging in fist fights. One of the fights results in him being seen by Dr. Davenport, a Navy psychiatrist. Davenport helps Antwone revisit his past. Antwone seeks reunification with his birth family in an effort to learn why they never knew him.

How is This Relevant to Adoption? 

Antwone was born while his mother was incarcerated. Two months after his birth, he was placed in a foster home. Although the social workers anticipated Antwone returning to his mother, she never came to claim him. Antwone’s father was killed shortly before Antwone’s birth. Antwone grew up not even knowing his father’s last name. Antwone survived considerable abuse in his foster home. As a young adult, he decides to search for his birth family, and finds them. His mother is unable to receive him; she cries silently while he leaves. His father’s family embraces him wholeheartedly; his reunion with them comes straight out of his dreams.

Strong Points

Antwone has a positive relationship with his psychiatrist, who challenges him to face his own past.

Davenport encourages responsibility but not blame, “What they did was wrong. You’ve got the right to be angry , but you’ve got to use that energy to better (and not worsen) yourself.”

Antwone asks, honestly, “Is it possible for somebody who’s had problems all their life not to stay that way.” His question is inspired by his desire not to be abusive in the romantic relationship he hopes to establish. Davenport gives Antwone hope, and Antwone is able to function successfully in the relationship.

Antwone writes and recites a powerful poem, “Who will cry for the little boy.”

Antwone is able to find love. His girlfriend joins him in his search for his family.

The scenes of Antwone’s reunification with his paternal family are very touching. He is embraced by multiple generations of his family. Like Angela Tucker – Antwone Fisher found Closure.

Challenges

The movie has lots of scenes that could traumatize younger viewers or viewers who have experienced violence. We see two significant men in Antwone’s life die from gunfire. As a young child, Antwone is bound and beaten into unconsciousness by his foster mother; on another occasion she threatens him with fire. We also hear Antwone being sexually abused by another adult in his foster home. The foster mother robs Antwone. She is very verbally abusive, calling Antwone racial slurs, and saying that his “no good momma threw you away.” While these experiences are not fictional, they are not representative of most foster homes. They could be triggering, traumatic, or confusing for some viewers. Antwone does eventually confront his former foster mother, and tells her, “You couldn’t destroy me. I’m still standing. I’m still strong. And I always will be.”

 

When Antwone finds his mother, she acknowledges that he is her son, but is unable to respond when he asks, “Why’d you never come for me?” He finishes by telling her, “I’m a good man.” Antwone ultimately decides, “In my heart, I forgive her, but I don’t need to see her again.”

Recommendation

Antwone Fisher is a thought-provoking film. Some of its scenes are hard to see in the same way that Piece of Cake is hard to read – they’re graphic depictions of violence against kids in foster care. I’d recommend it for adults considering foster care. As you watch about it, think about fostering a teen. First parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees may watch it and consider what reunification would mean for them. Also, think about seeing the documentary, Closure, which offers a real-life glimpse into the search for birthparents.

Questions for Discussion after the movie

What internal thoughts and past experiences do you see evidenced in your kids’ behaviors? In your own?

Did Antwone need to find his birth family to move forward in life?

How important are roots?

How important is the impact  of professionals in the life of a child?

If you’re considering fostering or fostering-to-adopt… What age group are you considering? What about a teen?