Adoption Adventures

I have been hearing a lot of rumblings from the adoption community about the lifestory books and some of the recent changes. So I decided to delve into it and see if I could find out what adopters experiences of the books were, my research didn't find great stories sadly.    Do you have any suggestions on how we could improve them?    adoptionadventures123@gmail.com

Little dude was in a “relationship” that ended, he then showed all of the signs of his attachment style as that relationship came to an end.  But I did get to see him for dinner, which made me a super happy guy! 

The new adopter group is launching in London, I have been asked to be a mentor and the Little Dude called for chat. It's all going on this week and I wanted to share as much with you as I could.    As always, thank you so much for listening, please feel free to reach out on adoptionadventures123@gmail.com if you have a topic you would like me to cover. 

The little dude was back for the weekend and sharing all of his own adventures! It sounds like he is having a great time, have a listen and see at if there is any part of the stereotype that he doesn't fit!!! 

I was asked to attend a profiling event and speak with the prospective adopters about our journey and our experiences of contact, throughout the day however, I did have a few moments that caught my eye and sadly...caused some frustrations. In today's episode, I am having a little moan...sorry! 

I attended the EP and Modernising Contact conference with my RAA, there were some great guest speakers and some very interesting discussions, so I thought I would share them all with you!!! :-) 

I've got some great news to share with you! I am working in partnership with Adopt London to bring a group together to gather adopters' views and opinions. I am so excited to be a part of this project and to be bringing adopter's voices to London.    If you are living in the London area, please reach out to adopttogetherlondon@gmail.com to get on the mailing list and start having your voices heard. 

Little dude moved out, I've been to the theatre and I'm delivering training! Looks like an episode to cover this all is needed!!  if you'd like to be a guest on the podcast please drop an email to adoptionadventures123@gmail.com

In this week's episode I am joined by Helen and Fiona, they are working on a research project that is aimed at supporting adopted children and their families. I wanted to learn all about it and to spread the word.    Are you interested in taking part in the RIGHT research trial and contributing to improving care pathways for adopted and fostered children? The Right trial is looking to determine the effectiveness of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy versus other appropriate treatment, offered to children experiencing difficulties related to early years trauma. We are also looking to identify how care pathways can be improved to ensure our vulnerable children are easily able to access the right treatment at the right time.   RIGHT is currently recruiting for adoptive families in the following areas: Hertfordshire, Central Bedfordshire, Bedford, Oxfordshire, Lanarkshire, Doncaster, East Midlands – Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire, West Midlands – Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, and Walsall And for children in a long-term foster placement in: Lanarkshire, Nottingham City, Norfolk, Oxfordshire   Get in touch with us at right-trial@glasgow.ac.uk or find out more at www.gla.ac.uk/right Please follow us on  www.facebook.com/righttrial and  @RIGHTTrial

As you heard in the last episode. Our dude is moving out and heading to Uni. But, what we didn't know, is that they would push his move in date up!!! 

The big day has arrived. The A-Levels results day, did the hard work pay off? Is our little dude off to uni? How will I feel if he is? How will he cope if he isn't?  Check out our latest episode to find out all of the above. 

I know that contact has been covered many times here, but as you know, it is an ever changing landscape. I have had some really interesting conversations with adopters and social workers and wanted to share these stories with you and get your thoughts too.     

Not massive amounts going on in our world this week, so I thought I would update you on the whole lot. :-)    Little Dude had a 'lads holiday' and I have been sacked!!! Have a listen and hope you enjoy.    Thank you as always for listening to our story, if you have anything you would like to hear about or discuss, get in touch. :-) 

I am going to open the door to our home and share with you a text exchange that went from good, to bad, to ugly, to...well, you will have to listen to see.    I hope you enjoy hearing how this situation unfolded

In this week's episode, I am talking about changing our children's names, I shall discuss the legal options and then the moral questions. I know that this is something that a lot of people think about before going into the world of adoption, so thought I would share my views and experiences to help you along the way. 

As our little dude celebrated his 18th birthday party I reflected on how far he has come and what an awesome young man he is.    He also got to come along and discuss adoption with a group of prospective adopters, which was awesome! 

Through various conversations I have had over the years. I have learnt many people would like to have a crash course on what it is like to parent a teenager. Here is my views thoughts and recommendations, I will be covering a range of topics some are a lot easier to discuss than others. I will give you a full lowdown of what topics I'm going to cover and in what order so as you can make sure that you're listening to the right part for you. If there are any topics, you'd like me to look at more please do let me know. 

Ok, so, this week I am sharing something very exciting that has happened for little dude, I confess that I am bragging in this episode, but I do not apologise for that. :-)    Let the episode speak for itself.    Next week, I shall be doing a full episode on having a teenager in the home, I will be looking for any questions you may have.  Drop me a line. 

It's been another great week with plenty happening, so here is the general update on all that has been happening in our world. It has brought lots of thoughts about what's next and future topics too. Hope you enjoy 

Welcome to adoption adventures, this week I am sharing an incident that occurred within the household and I need your judgment. I need you to listen to all details of the case and to consider all the evidence available, before making your own decision on what happened...   Thank you so much for listening, if you have a story you would like to share with our audience or comments you would like to add, you can always find us on our social media:   https://www.instagram.com/adoption.adventures/ https://www.facebook.com/adoption.adventures https://twitter.com/AdoptionAdvent1 Email – adoptionadventures123@gmail.com

I was invited to join a panel and be a guest speaker at JP Morgan and demystify the world of adoption. We spoke with an audience of around 100 and it was awesome! Tune in to learn more about it. 

I had to take last week off from recording to allow the show week to go ahead.    This week I am here to update you on all the exciting things that have been happening with us, there are updates from Little Dude and his exams, me and my training sessions, and some other fun times.    Check it out and let me know if you want me to cover any topics 

We're reached that stage again where not loads has happened that I can share with you this week, leaving me to ramble my way through another week in our world and giving you some hints about things that have happened.    Some friends are on the journey of adoption, I have shared a little from their experiences. We discuss our children's stories and who wants to know them, the training that I have delivered and the impending A-Levels. All great fun whilst I head into town on a shop for last minute show items!!!     

Well, our Little Dude is staying in heartbreak hotel this week, he came to us for advice and guidance so we had to navigate some pretty difficult waters to support him without putting our own bias in there. But he handled the conversation really well and it allowed us to support him and get him thinking about mature relationships and how to make good decisions. 

Welcome to Adoption Adventures, the podcast that explores the ups and downs of the adoption journey. In this week's episode, we dive into the PAC-UK big consult research around contact and identity. I shall be chatting through the launch of the research and the key findings I took away from the experience.  Join us as we explore the challenges and opportunities that come with contact and identity in adoption. Whether you are an adoptive parent, a birth parent, or an adoptee, this episode will provide valuable insights into the complex and emotional journey of adoption. Tune in to Adoption Adventures for an honest and informative conversation about the realities of adoption.    

I met with a support group and we discussed micro-aggressions, what they mean, and how they affect us on a daily basis. It was a great chat and I thought I would share my musings with you.    Have you ever experienced this? How did you handle it? 

Welcome to "Adoption Adventures," the podcast where we share the ups, downs, and everything in between of the adoption journey. In this episode, I am having a little moan about some posts that I have seen and the language used within them.  As an adoptive parent myself, I've experienced frustration and confusion when it comes to the language used in the adoption community. In this episode, I share my personal experiences and thoughts on how we can shift the conversation and the thought process.  Additionally, I discuss the importance of asking for help when navigating the adoption process. Bringing a new child into your family can be overwhelming, and it's essential to have a support system in place.  Whether you're a seasoned adoptive parent or just starting on your adoption journey, this episode will provide valuable insights and encouragement. So join me on "Adoption Adventures" as we navigate the complex, emotional, and rewarding world of adoption.

Hey there! It's me, Fathor, and I am thrilled to share with you the latest episode. In this week's show, I am so excited to talk about the amazing birthday present, "Little Dude," gave me. We had such a fantastic time together, and I can't wait to tell you all about it. As an adoptive parent, I cherish these special moments with my Little Dude, and I hope our story will inspire other families going through similar experiences. So, join me in this episode of Adoption Adventures, and let's celebrate the joy of parenting through adoption.

Welcome to "Adoption Adventures," the podcast that explores the ups and downs of adoption and foster care. In this week's episode, we have some exciting news to share: Little Dude has passed his driving test! Join us as we discuss the challenges and triumphs of teaching a teenager to drive, the nervous moments during the test, and the feeling of pride and relief when you find out your child has passed. We'll also explore how this milestone is a significant step towards independence for Little Dude and how it impacts his journey through life.  Tune in to "Adoption Adventures" and join us for a heartfelt discussion about the joys and challenges of raising a child through adoption.

In the latest episode of Adoption Adventures, we dive into the vital topic of adoption support and explore the measures being taken to enhance the support given to adoptive families. So, whether you're a seasoned adoptive parent or just starting on your adoption journey, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a strong and supportive family through adoption. Tune in now to Adoption Adventures and let's explore the world of adoption support together!

I've had contact from several agencies this last week all asking for adopters to be more involved in what they are doing and how they are operating. It is great that so many agencies care about what adopters think and it is lovely to have that call to be asked too! 

I had a listener get in touch (after I sent out a message) and ask e to speak about setting boundaries for our children, particularly in the early days, so I have given some details for those early days for us.    Hoping that it will help others in their transitions and early days. 

There have been a few moments over the past few days that have reminded me that we need to be an advocate for our children and for adoption in general. We need to put on our best cheerleader voice and cheer for the wins that our children have and even cheer when they fall down.    As a side note here, I mention a difficult situation that we went through and that it was bothering me, we are all ok and I am fine, it was nothing too horrendous, just enough to wind me up! :-) 

This episode didn't upload for some reason, so here you have last weeks episode:   As Little Dude gets closer to his exams we are finding ourselves in the same old argument, wanting him to revise and him thinking that he is revising enough, We have however, put a system in place that seems to help a little. 

I have been around a number of conversations lately surrounding transracial adoption. It is a topic that brings all kinds of questions to the table. I wanted to start the conversation and start my musing on the subject. I appreciate that I am coming from a very naïve perspective, so I am always open to learning and hearing what you think. 

I have been working with a new prep group and have asked Little Dude to speak from an Adoptees perspective, I asked him a variety of questions and we cover a range of topics. As you will hear, he only knew the topics just before we spoke, so these are all his genuine responses to the questions and feelings about each subject. We cover:  Contact  Life with two dads  Moving in  Belonging  Difficulties    I hope you enjoy listening as much as I do! 

I have just joined a group called the Adopter Reference Group, our meeting was at the DfE and we got to start the discussion on what needs to happen to improve things for adopters/adoptees. We talked about contact, trauma-informed schools, support and many other things. Very exciting!    I shall keep you posted on all the updates, but make sure you follow our accounts for all the updates. 

We held an evening with adopters in our Regional Adoption Agency last night discussing all the things that have happened over 2022. We looked at the recommendations adopters have made and the changes that our agencies have been looking to introduce to make an impact in line with the needs of the adopters.    It was wonderful to see how much the adopter voice is valued in our agencies and the work that is going in to help so many families.    Have a listen and let me know if your agency are doing more, or less or different. 

Little Dude is causing us all new headaches, granted, it isn't a new problem, it is just a new cycle of it being a problem. It then leads to us asking questions as parents like - Do you still punish teenagers?  Am I being too harsh?  Have I gotten too old to understand?    Have a listen and let me know your thoughts. 

I have had an email come through from a listener who is going through some difficult times at work, they wanted to share their experiences in the hope of spreading the word and getting some advice.    Whilst I am not an employment lawyer, I do have some experience that I have advised on here, I am hoping that it helps. But perhaps this is an area that you know more about.    So, get in touch and let me know if this has happened to you or if you have a way to manage this situation:    adoptionadventures123@gmail.com  Twitter - AdoptionAdvent1 Facebook and Instagram - adoption.adventures 

Well, for most people, the turkey has just about gone now, we are all full to the brim and just about ready to start working out what day of the week it is again!    I went for a lovely walk with Shadow and thought it was a great time to tell you all about our festive period and what we got up too. Hope you enjoy and look forward to catching up with you again in the New Year

On our Instagram account, I put out a link to NGL and allowed all the followers to ask any questions they wanted without sharing their details. It was a really fun exercise and it turns out, you guys wanted to know more about me! :-)    You can follow our Instagram account too: Adoption.Adventures

I have been to my first observation of another agency's prep group, it was really interesting and I got to see a lot of great work going on. But, this has also highlighted some key issues and considerations that I need to raise with the senior team and also on a wider scale too.    Apologies in advance, I get on my soap box a few times in this episode, I shall blame the cold! 

It's time for Christmas parties and instead of Dad and I going out to enjoy the festivities, it is once again our Little Dude who is reaching for the next egg nog. But then, he wanted to push his luck just a little further and see if our Christmas spirit was in the forgiving mood, check it out and let me know if you would have done the same. 

As part of my work with Adoption UK, we have explored Post Placement Blues and how many people have experienced this. It was a really interesting piece of work and has shone a light on some really important factors.     

As you know, I speak with Little Dudes mum over email on a regular basis, recently she has sent two emails that have given us pause and made us think about how we would talk with Little Dude. He was great when we sat him down to speak, but it then raised further questions that we needed to consider. 

As our children grow older we have to decide what parts of their lives that we will be involved in and what areas we need to give them space on. Then we have to deal with all of those people around us that have an opinion, the struggle is real!! :-)    Here are my views on the latest issues and what we have decided to do about them. 

I was really lucky to be invited to attend a training session with One Adoption West Yorkshire where I learned all about brain-based parenting, the session covered such a great deal of information and helped me to understand some of the behaviours we had seen and continue to see. I have tried to cover as many aspects of this training as I could to help you too. 

In a few conversations recently it has come up that there is a lack of Dads represented within the world of adoption and this then lead me to discuss the gaps that this makes, so it got me thinking about where I have met Dads who are sharing their experiences and wondering why there aren't more of us...   What are your thoughts?    Drop me a line on adoptionadventures123@gmail.com 

I was asked to attend a matching/profiling event and talk about my experience as a parent and how our process was adopting an older child. The whole day was great fun and I got to meet some wonderful people. Our RAA had taken a new approach to the event and I thought that it was a really smart way to launch the event. Have a listen and tell me if you agree. :-) 

I was able to attend our regional agencies staff conference and hear about all the great work that they had been doing for the past year and their plans for the year ahead. It is really exciting to hear what they have been able to achieve and how they have been listening to their adopter community.    The year ahead looks set to be super exciting, can't wait to share more as the year progresses.    Thank you so much for listening, if you have a story you would like to share with our audience or comments you would like to add, you can always find us on our social media:   https://www.instagram.com/adoption.adventures/ https://www.facebook.com/adoption.adventures https://twitter.com/AdoptionAdvent1 Email – adoptionadventures123@gmail.com