ElizabethAnn

The whole "kid thing" is a wild card, frankly. There are times, when birthparents and adoptive parents have compatible parenting styles, that spending time all together can be very positive, but folks rarely know each other well enough before their first meeting to make such evaluations in advance. I can imagine that some readers may be secretly thinking "why should a birthparent judge the parenting skills of the adoptive family, if they're not even capable of raising the baby themselves?" Yet bear in mind that most of Abrazo's birthparents are raising other children, however effectively, and

People Adopting Children When Most Are Thinking of Retirement Is 60 Too Old To Adopt a Newborn? When Are You Too Old to Adopt? At Abrazo, we do not maintain an "upper age limit" for adopting parents, nor do we subscribe to the classic social work theory that parents should not be more than 40 years older than the child they seek to adopt. That said, however, the majority of placing parents with whom we work are in their twenties, so understandably, their idea of "optimal parents for a baby" may not include those who are their own parents' age... or even older than their parents. (Occas

When you finish your rough draft of your profile, why not read it aloud to your spouse, and have them listen like a frightened, prospective birthmom who's been warned already about people who are in this just to get her baby and probably won't bother to keep in touch afterwards? Does the text of your profile alleviate such fears? Does your letter suggest ways in which you hope your future child's birthparent/s can enjoy an ongoing connection with you and your child over the years? Does your profile reflect an authentic interest in the reader? (Or does it read like it's just "all about you"?)

Thank for you mentioning the obituary, Nicole... it's at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sanantonio/obituary.aspx?n=robert-estrada&pid=170678479&fhid=7331. Please do add a favorite photo of Bob from your finalization to the gallery on Legacy, if you're so inclined! We know Bob's wife Barbara and the rest of the family would enjoy seeing those pictures of him with Abrazo's clients! He so enjoyed being part of your adoption stories (especially the happy parts!)

My heart is so heavy as I type the words I dreaded to hear for so long... but our dear friend and beloved attorney Robert Estrada passed away today. Bob had represented Abrazo and its clients for more than a decade. A "local boy done good," Bob was well-respected at the Bexar County Courthouse and much-loved by the AbrazoChicks over the years. He was a highly-skilled lawyer who took great pride in Abrazo's placements and who enjoyed very much the adoptive families and children he met at our finalizations. In his free time, he enjoyed bicycling, tropical fish and collecting motorcycles. H

We're not sure whether it's blowback from the healthcare reform act or what, but recently, we are seeing a huge (and horrifying!) jump in medical bills in healthy newborn cases. One family's insurance got a nearly $9k bill-- for the pediatrician's care, alone! We've gotten several hospital bills lately topping $13k for single babies discharged in the routine 2-3 day's time, which is more than four times what Abrazo typically collects from adoptive families for baby's hospital care at placement. (We're also finding, suddenly, that fewer local pediatricians are willing to see babies being ad

Yes-- two different cases.

We are pleased to have been able to match the mama referenced above! Thank you for your prayers on her behalf. ----------- We are presently seeking a home-studied African-American or interracial couple for an expectant mother who is already dilated and expects to deliver a baby girl very soon (and before her due date). Interested families should email their current homestudies with a Dear Birthparent profile to info@abrazo.org. Thank you!

Awesome, Lindsey! Thank you... we NEED families, so their timing rocks!

Mick Jagger is mourning the death of his longtime girlfriend, who happened to be an adoptee: http://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/people/2014/03/20/lwren-scott-hated-adopted-life/6642301/. Lorraine Dusky, a birthmom whose relinquished daughter also committed suicide, writes about L'Wren's tragic passing here: http://www.firstmotherforum.com/2014/03/saying-goodbye-to-adoptee-lwren-scott.html?m=1. May Ms. Scott find in death the peace (and the answers) that appeared to so evade her in life...

He may have been an Adoption Angel recognized by Congress, but this adoptive dad does not get my nomination for "Parent of the Year"... http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/as-i-lay-dying-frontman-pleads-guilty-in-murder-for-hire-plot-20140225

Hate to sound like a broken record... but a recent crop of matches has left Abrazo in need of more adopting couples! Lately, we've had special requests from expectant parents who are particularly interested in Hispanic couples, as well as childless Texans, so if you know of infertile, traditionally-married couples who would fit Abrazo program requirements and be excellent parents through open adoption, please encourage them to apply!