The internet has forever changed private adoption in the United States. With so many options available to adoptive parents, families are choosing to market themselves and expand their outreach via social media, custom websites, blogging platforms, and video sites like Youtube. Online advertising and connect sites are also growing in popularity each year. But having more options... Read more…

Adoption scams can be a devastating experience for hopeful adoptive parents. Fortunately, by educating yourself on adoption scams, you can help to minimize them. Today, we talk to attorney Anthony Zurica of Zurica Law. A practicing lawyer since 2006, Zurica has been handling adoptions in New York for the past three years. Find out what he has to say about adoption scams and what... Read more…

When you think of an adoption scam, being swindled out of money or goods often comes to mind. However, there is another form of scamming that is just as deceptive but far less tangible. It’s called emotional or psychological scamming. And, it’s unfortunately fairly common during the adoption process. Emotional scammers target their victims with one goal in mind: getting attention. They don’t want your money or gifts. Some enjoy... Read more…

I know in my heart that each and every one of us waiting to become parents through adoption will know the joy of holding our baby. It is just a matter of when it will happen.  Like many of you, my process has been long and filled with all kinds of unbelievable bumps and moments of hope.  I have never experienced such a roller coaster of emotions! There is no question that the adoption world is changing now that social media plays such a prominent role in our lives.  Adoption connection... Read more…

I remember hearing those dreaded words from my son’s adoptive mother. “Can you please not have contact with him until he graduates from high school.” He was nearing graduation and really struggling with his identity. His rebellion was at an all-time high and his parents feared that he wouldn’t graduate and be able to go to college. He had come so far and had been awarded a number of athletic scholarships. What a waste it would have been if he couldn’t take advantage of them. Because I worked with troubled teenagers in one of Chicago’s roughest... Read more…

Maybe you have a little time off during the holidays and want to make your profile all it can be. Or maybe your profile needs some pre-holiday attention but you are unsure where to begin.  Here are three easy things you can do today to help make your profile what it is meant to be- an honest reflection of you and the life you hope to share with a child. Get In The Habit Of Adding Blog / Diary Entries Every time you add to your diary, you are updating your profile.  Your diary is a quick and easy way to continue your story. The holidays are a great... Read more…

The holiday season is a warm, fuzzy time.  We are usually gathering with family and friends and enjoying traditions, old and new.  This is a great time to add to your Adoptimist diary and share your unique family traditions! Be sure to include pictures of what you have been up to and tell the reader how much you are looking forward to including a child one day.  Here are just a few ideas, things you can just snap pictures of this weekend, to help show and tell your story in your profile. • Decorating the Christmas tree or Hanukkah bush... Read more…

It’s time to get real about your profile photos. Here are 20 good reasons you should consider changing yours today: 1) Blurry / out of focus 2) You aren’t smiling 3) You are frowning 4) Too dark outside / inside 5) Photo is seasonally inappropriate (winter shot in the middle of summer) 6) Eyes not visible - closed / covered by sunglasses 7) Doesn’t actually look like you 8) Over-exposed 9) Outdated photo from a previous decade 10) Not looking at the camera 11) Background is too busy 12) Bad scan / poor image quality 13) Too... Read more…

“Hi”, “Hello”, “Come on in!” That is what your main photo is.  It is like someone seeing you from across a room and taking a minute to decide things about you in their head before they ever speak to you. It may even decide IF they even talk to you. It is that handshake or pat on the shoulder as you greet someone for the first time. You are inviting expectant parents in to learn more about you, to get to know you better in your profile. Think about the first impression your picture makes. Is it welcoming and inviting? Let ‘em see that face... Read more…

The first words that a visitor reads when she arrives at your profile will go a long way toward making a solid first impression. Commonly referred to as a dear birthmother letter, on Adoptimist we prefer the term ‘intro letter’ or simply ‘introduction’. Naming conventions aside, it is a vital piece of your adoption profile and you’ll want yours to be as lean and effective as possible. Even if you like your current intro, there are several good reasons for an occasional... Read more…