27 posts categorized "Celebrity Adoption"

Madonna's Quest to Adopt Second Child From Malawi Rejected

If you follow the news, you probably couldn't help overhearing that Madonna was sent packing by Malawian officials Friday, after attempting to adopt 3 1/2-year-old Mercy James.

An article in People magazine notes that prospective adoptive parents must live in Malawi for 18 to 24 months prior to adopting. Madonna lives in New York and London.

Stephen M. Silverman of People writes:

Madonna, 50, adopted her son, David Banda, now 3, from Malawi in 2008; she was granted custody and allowed to take him out of the country two years earlier. That adoption caused controversy, including claims that her application received special status because of her celebrity.

The Los Angeles Times ran an intriguing commentary on the Madonna adoption controversy in today's Op-Ed column.

Beth Nonte Russell reports that the judge who rejected Madonna's request to waive the residency requirement said that doing so would set a dangerous precedent.

I assume that the "dangerous precedent" the judge refers to is child trafficking. If any old person is allowed to adopt a child from Malawi without first living there a year and a half, that must mean the adoptive parent intends to illegally sell the child on the black market or turn the child into a slave.

While we all know that these atrocities happen, just how likely is is that Madonna -- one of the most recognizable public figures of our time (both with and without her clothes on) -- would get away with child trafficking?

That's not really the point, though. The point is that BECAUSE Madonna is a well-known public figure, Malawi would have to bend the rules for all adoptive parents if it bends the rules for Madonna.

But would bending the rules be so bad in the large scheme of things? Russell brings up several good points in her column:

  • Malawi has an estimated 1 million orphans, and the number of orphans worldwide continues to skyrocket (particularly in African countries, where AIDS is pandemic).
  • Within many of these countries, there is a rising attitude of nationalism, which holds that children born in a country "belong" to that country and should not be adopted by foreigners."

Russell writes:

This stance is a form of modern-day slavery, which in effect holds individuals hostage to nebulous ideas of culture and race. The needs of human infants and children are universal and have no relationship to what country, racial group or political system one is born into. These orphaned children do not have a voice and are therefore used as political, financial and cultural pawns.

Russell also questions why a child should be kept in an orphanage when a viable alternative (adoption) exists.

I echo her question. Is it truly better for the child to grow up in an orphanage -- likely undernourished physically, emotionally, and spiritually -- or to be adopted by people of another race, from another country, and have the opportunity to live a productive life?

Does an alternative exist for Mercy James and millions of children like her?

Let's discuss this important issue, readers. Please chime in with your thoughts.

Celebrity Adoption Gossip

Celebrities who adopt are always a hot topic on the Exploring Adoption blog. This year, the media inundated us with stories about Mary-Louise Parker adopting from Africa,  Cheryl Crow adopting domestically, and, of course, Angelina Jolie’s latest adoption, this time from Vietnam.

Also in this Year in Review series:

Adoption Statistics from 2007

Financing Adoption – Links to Articles

For more news and information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and check out my Exploring Adoption bookstore.

Mary-Louise Parker Adopts from Africa

People magazine reports that actress Mary-Louise Parker has adopted a baby girl from Africa.

The single mom, 43, also has a 3-year-old son with actor Billy Crudup.

Brad Pitt, who co-stars with Parker in the new movie, "The Assassination of Jesse James by The Coward Robert Ford," praised her decision to adopt.

For more news and information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and check out my Exploring Adoption bookstore.

Angelina Jolie Turns 32, Considers Adopting from Czech Republic

Rumors are flying yet again that Angelina Jolie is considering adopting for the fourth time (she and Brad Pitt also have one biological daughter). Jolie, who is in Prague filming her latest movie, Wanted, met a child in a Catholic orphanage who she thought would fit perfectly with their other children.

Last month we heard that Angelina might be adopting from Chad, so who knows whether this current rumor will pan out.

Source: ContactMusic.com

Other Angelina Jolie Adoption News

Was Angelina's Latest Adoption Fast-Tracked?

Angelina Jolie Adopts from Vietnam

Laura's book, The Adoption Network, is about to be released. Click here to learn more about a limited-time, pre-sale offer:  Buy 1, Get 1 FREE! Only $12.95 for TWO books (including USPS first-class shipping anywhere in the U.S.). Buy one for yourself and give the other one to a friend, colleague, clergyperson, or adoption professional.

For more news and information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and check out my Exploring Adoption bookstore.


Sheryl Crow Adopts

Grammy-winning recording star Sheryl Crow, 45, adopted a two-week-old baby boy last week. Her new son, adopted from the United States, is named Wyatt (after her dad) Steven (after her little brother and “Scooter,” the nickname of her longtime manager and friend, Steven Weintraub).

Source: Tonight

For more news and information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and check out my Exploring Adoption bookstore.

 

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Angelina Jolie to adopt from Chad This Time?

Can it be true? The gossip rags speculate that Angelina and Brad are planning to adopt yet again, this time from the African nation of Chad.

A source close to the family (don’t you just hate those unidentified sources?) told London’s News of the World, “Angelina and Brad want to make sure Zahara doesn’t feel alienated as the only black face in their family.”

Jolie recently remarked, “Should you balance the races, so there’s another African person in the house for Zahara, after another Asian person in the house for Mad? We think so.”

Rumor has it that Jolie’s next child will be a 1-year-old girl from Oure Cassoni in Chad, and that she hopes to bring her daughter home by this summer.

I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if the rumor mill is on target. If so, you read it first here!

Oh-so-reliable sources:
The Gossip Girls
Fametastic

Related Posts:
Was Angelina Jolie's Latest Adoption Fast-Tracked?
Angelina Jolie Adopts from Vietnam
Celebrities who are NOT Adopting

For more news, gossip, and good stuff about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and check out my Exploring Adoption bookstore.

Was Angelina Jolie’s Latest Adoption Fast-Tracked?

Because Angelina Jolie’s latest adoption has received so much media attention, people naturally wonder whether the adoption was fast-tracked.

Nope, says Angelina and her adoption agency.

Heidi Gonzalez, coordinator of the Vietnam program at Adoptions From the Heart, a private, non-profit, non-sectarian agency located in Wynnewood, PA,
says that Jolie proceeded through the adoption process in the same time-frame as other applicants.

The Vietnam government, however, decided to fast-track the paperwork when Jolie was in Vietnam because the press was so aggressive that they feared for the child’s safety. “They just felt that the faster she got out of there, the better for everyone,” said Gonzalez in an interview with KYW newsradio.

Source:
KYW Newsradio, “Angelina Jolie Used Local Adoption Agency,” by Suzanne Monaghan

For more news and information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and check out my Exploring Adoption bookstore.

Angelina Jolie Adopts From Vietnam

Angelina Jolie officially adopted her new son, 3-year-old Pax Thien Jolie, yesterday in Vietnam.

The boy's name means “Peaceful Sky.” Pax is Latin for peaceful and Thien means sky in Vietnamese.

Angelina will remain in Vietnam for a week until Pax’s American passport is processed.

Vietnamese law prohibits unmarried couples from adopting, so Angelina is adopting Pax. It’s speculated that Brad Pitt will later adopt the boy. Pax joins brother Maddox (5, adopted from Cambodia), sister Zahara (2, adopted from Ethiopia), and sister Shiloh, born to Angelina and Brad in May 2006.

More on the Brangelina Adoption

For more adoption information, visit www.laurachristianson.com or my Exploring Adoption Bookstore.

Angelina and Brad to Adopt from Vietnam

The rumor is officially official: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are adopting a boy from the Tam Binh orphanage in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

They are adding to their family of three children:

Angelina adopted son Maddox from Cambodia and daughter Zahara from Ethiopia. The couple also has a birth daughter, Shiloh, born last May.

Source: Arizona Central

Angelina and Brad, in case you're reading this (ha!), you need to know that adoption author, Kari Grady Grossman, created a heartfelt plea for you to endorse her book,  Bones That Float, A story of Adopting Cambodia, on her You Tube channel. Check it out below!


For more news and information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and check out my Exploring Adoption bookstore.

Celebrities Who are NOT Adopting

With all the furor lately about celebrities who are adopting, the media has resorted to reporting the names of celebrities who are NOT adopting.

Jennifer Lopez told Ellen DeGeneres she's ready to start a family, but she's not really considering adoption at this point. Jennifer is not opposed to the idea, but then, she's not excited about it, either.

I feel so much better about life now that I'm aware of that little tidbit. Don't you?

For more celebrity adoption gossip important news, click here.

For more information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and check out my Exploring Adoption bookstore.

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    Adoption Blogs

    • A Little Pregnant
      You want blogs? Julie's got blogs for you. Check out her "somewhat haphazard collection of links" to blogs pertaining to infertility, adoption, pregnancy after infertility or loss, and being a parent. You won't be disappointed.
    • About Adoption/Foster Care
      Written by Carrie Craft, this informative blog at about.com offers a variety of interesting tidbits about adoption and foster care.
    • Adopt Taiwan
      By Cindy, a Christian mom-to-be who is waiting to adopt from Taiwan.
    • Adoption Adventure
      Lena Wright, a certified professional coach and Christian counselor, is adopting two brothers from Haiti.
    • Adoption Family
      Hot links to hundreds of adoption websites, organized by topic.
    • Adoption Options Web Directory & Resources
      Free adoption articles to acquaint people with their options, as well as links to other quality adoption sites.
    • Adoption Share
      An online community where you can share experiences, find answers and purchase resources related to adoption.
    • Adoption.org Blogs
      The comprehensive adoption web site, adoption.org, recommends a few adoption blogs and has a discussion board.
    • AdoptLove
      A couple's journey to adopt a child from Ukraine.
    • Adventures in Daily Living
      Jamie and Suzanne's adventures with their adopted children from Russia.
    • And Chloe Makes 6
      By Becky, mother of four, and waiting for #5 to come home from China.
    • Anonymous Daughter
      By an adult adopted person whose biological father contacted her.
    • Big Momma Hollers
      By Cindy Bodie, a 51-year-old happily single mother of 39 kids ages 3-32.
    • Blogging Baby
      A blog about pregnancy, baby care and parenting. Some adoption issues covered. Entertaining and informative -- one of my faves.
    • Chronicles of Mommyhood
      Written by an African American mom from Pennsylvania who loves to share stories and resources with other African American families who are seeking to adopt. You can read about their adoption adventure in their first blog: http://cleandsylsjourney.blogspot.com/.
    • Crowned with Laurel
      By Esther, who has experienced two failed adoptions from Russia and is now embarking on adopting from a different country.
    • Do They Have Salsa in China?
      Gotta love the title of this blog! You can probably figure out what it's about.
    • Embracing the Journey to my Daughter and Beyond
      By Billie, who's recording her feelings about adopting her daughter from Taiwan as a gift to her daughter.
    • Families.com Adoption Blog
      A group blog written by an adult adopted person and several adoptive parents.
    • Family Building: From Where I Sit
      Cynthia Peck writes this informative blog, which covers many aspects of family building, from assisted reproductive technology to adoption to long-term foster care.
    • Fat Girl's Guide to Triathalons
      Candid comments about the home study process from a mom who's waiting to adopt.
    • Finding Sweetness
      By Kristin, who's waiting to adopt a baby from Vietnam.
    • Foster Care & Adoption Author's Site
      Okay, it's not a blog; it's Jayne Schooler's author website. Jayne is well-known for supporting, educating and encouraging families formed by birth, adoption or foster care.
    • From Hope to Reality
      The blog of Carolina Hope Christian Adoption Agency. Lots of in depth discussions and interviews about adoption issues.
    • Hand Picked
      Written by a couple who is waiting to adopt a son from Korea.
    • Heartprints
      Sharon Brani, an adoption coach and counselor, offers encouragement and inspiration for adoptive parents.
    • Heidi's Hotline
      Reflections about adoption and about writing from Heidi Saxton, an adoptive mom of two former foster children and editor of a magazine for Catholic "Women of Grace," www.womenofgrace.com.
    • His Heart
      By Erin, a Christian woman who has experienced infertility for 9 of her 11 years of marriage, and is moving towards adoption.
    • His Heart for Orphans
      This ministry of Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, LA, supports families during their pre-adoption journey.
    • Hydrangeas are pretty
      Pre-adoptive mom Shelli writes this blog about waiting to adopt domestically.
    • International Adoption Stories
      An adoption directory featuring international adoption information and agency advice from Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Guatemala, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Haiti, Mexico, Ethiopia and other counties. In addition to stories, the site includes information on adoption costs and financing, medical and health advice, parenting tips and news.
    • It's A Girl!
      The Seyler family writes about raising their special needs daughter adopted from Ukraine.
    • Jochebed's Hope
      A non-profit ministry aimed at promoting the Biblical foundation for adoption.
    • Just Enjoy Him: Ramblings of a Mid-Life Mom
      By Judy, a 45-year-old mom of a 5-year-old son born in Vietnam.
    • Lifemothers.com
      Although it's not a blog, this Web site for birth mothers is excellent. With the belief that a birthmother's role does not end at 'birth,' but continues for life, Lifemothers strives to be a safe haven for all Lifemoms, regardless of age or contact with child.
    • Links to Adoption Sites
      Links to adoption agencies, books, blogs, and personal sites.
    • Martha's Voice on Adoption
      Adoption info and commentary from Martha Osborne, editor of RainbowKids.com International Adoption E-Zine.
    • Mommy Monsters
      Heidi Saxton, columnist for CatholicMom.com, writes smart, refreshing posts about adoptive parenthood (among other things).
    • My Adoption Links
      A self-described "obsessive person collecting adoption links." Organized alphabetically.
    • Neither Here Nor There
      Written by The Passionate Peach, a 30-something reluctant adoptee who has been reunited with her birth family for over two decades.
    • Our Adoption Journey
      By Todd and Kimberly Phillips, who are waiting to adopt a special needs child from China.
    • Our Adoption Journey
      By a couple who is adopting from foster care.
    • Pamela Kruger
      A blog about motherhood, marriage, work, and life in suburbia by a mom who adopted from Kazakhstan.
    • Paradise Preoccupied
      Written by adoption advocate Sandra Hanks Benoiton, this blog is a cool combo of news tidbits and edgy commentary.
    • RainbowKids Blog Community
      Blogs from families who have adopted or are adopting internationally.
    • Red Lights
      Written by Monica, a single mom from Alberta, Canada who adopted a son with Down syndrome. Gorgeous design; interesting read -- don't miss this blog!
    • Red Thread Dads
      Jack Bailey, a dad-to-be who created his blog for to-be-dads, dads who have already adopted, and even those who are contemplating the idea of Chinese adoption. Not updated often, but then, he's probably busy getting ready to bring his daughter home.
    • Research-China.Org
      To educate adoptive parents about Chinese culture, China adoptions and aspects of a child's early life in China.
    • Ryan J Hale
      Ryan is a foster dad who reflects on his upcoming adoption from China. His entries are from a Christian worldview.
    • Stuart & Liz's Adoption Blog
      The highs and lows of one couple's journey through the UK adoption process.
    • The Adoption Choice
      A forum to help pregnant women and teens considering adoption.
    • The Chambers' Adoption Process
      By Brit and Heath, who are waiting to adopt domestically (U.S.)
    • The Life of a Texas Mom
      Gwen is a Christian adoptive mom of three who regularly shares bits of her adoption story.
    • The Seventh Diamond
      Kimberley Girvin and her husband prepare for the arrival of their family's seventh member, a daughter from China.
    • Third Mom
      A thoughtful, well-written blog by Margie Perscheid, mom of two Korean teens, wife of 30+ years, and Korean adoption activist.
    • This Woman's Work
      Dawn Friedman, an associate editor at epregnancy magazine, writes this blog about writing, mothering, and writing about mothering. Includes reflections on adoption.
    • Ukraine Adoption Journal
      Steven Harper Pizik chronicles his family's journal to adopt two boys from Ukraine.
    • Waiting for Mercy
      By Michelle, a mom of four boys who is waiting to adopt a little girl from Guatemala.
    • Writer's Wanderings
      Freelance writer, Karen Robbins, is also an adoptive mom. Her blog contains "musings along life's journey."