Financial supports for adoptive and permanency families
Welcoming a child into your family is a meaningful and life-changing journey. Financial support can make a big difference along the way. In British Columbia, adoptive and permanent caregivers have access to several financial programs to help ease the costs of providing a loving, stable home. Exploring these supports can help families focus on what […]
Teen adoption Q&A: part two
In part two of our teen adoption Q&A, Ashleigh Martinflatt, a clinical counsellor, post-secondary instructor, and adoptive parent, dives deeper into the journey of providing permanency for teens. She addresses concerns around bonding, managing missed milestones, navigating the mixed emotions teens may experience, and offers advice on supporting adopted teens. I’m scared that I won’t […]
Teen adoption Q&A: part one
Ashleigh Martinflatt is a registered social worker, clinical counsellor, and post-secondary instructor, teaching courses on trauma, child abuse, and neglect in both Social Work and Child and Youth Care degree programs. Most importantly, Ashleigh is an adoptive parent herself. In part one of this Q&A, Ashleigh shares her expertise on the unique aspects of adopting […]
Adoption and permanency support guide
An easy-to-use guide for families and caregivers to explore the services, resources, and supports available through the Belonging Network.
Building community
How our Facebook groups support adoptive and permanency families We have Facebook groups for waiting parents, families with complex support needs, 2SLGBTQIA+ families, parents of Indigenous children, and adoptive and permanency parents. These groups are incredible places where people from all over BC with connections to adoption and permanency can gather and connect. They’re private […]
Belonging matters: 5 tips to strengthen your child’s sense of belonging
“Belonging” has become a bit of a buzzword. But for us, it’s more than just a popular term; it’s what we’re all about. After all, it’s our name! But what does it really mean? Why is it so important? And how can we help our children and youth feel a sense of belonging? In this […]
School and adoption: Navigating the education system
This free digital guide includes information about Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings, trauma in classrooms, how to talk to teachers about adoption, and more! Learn how you can help your children cope at school, and what advice to give to teachers.
School 101: 8 tips to support your newly adopted child
Starting school can be a major adjustment for any child, but it can be particularly overwhelming for a newly adopted child. However, with the right support, your child can feel confident and prepared to thrive in their new school environment. Here are eight tips to help you navigate the back-to-school transition smoothly. 1. Familiarize your […]
School 101: 8 tips to prepare your child for the school year
For adoptive and permanency families, navigating the education system can bring unique challenges. From sensitive assignments to fostering a sense of belonging, there’s a lot to consider. To help you and your child have a positive school experience, here are eight tips to help prepare you for the year ahead. 1. Sit in on a […]
Supporting LGBTQ2S+ youth in adoption and foster care
Download this free guide to learn about how to understand and help 2SLGBTQIA+ young people in your care. Approximately 20 percent of high school students today identify as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer (or questioning), intersex, asexual, and gender non-conforming (2SLGBTQIA+). Among youth in government care and adoptive families, the numbers are even higher. […]
The journey of a lifetime: Why adoptive families need support throughout the years
When potential adoptive parents begin their journey, they’re buoyed by the enthusiasm and support of others. Once they bring their child or children home and make it through the first few months, though, that support tends to dissolve. In this article, an experienced adoptive mom explains why adoptive families need support throughout their entire journey, […]
Adopted voice: Six ways to support your adopted child
“Adopted Voice” is our response to the #FlipTheScript campaign, which promotes the importance of making space for and listening to the voices of adopted people. If you’re an adoptee of any age who’s interested in writing a column for “Adopted Voice,” we’d love to hear from you! Reach us at editor@belongingnetwork.com. Advice from an adoptee […]
Adopted Voice: It’s not about gratitude
My adoption story Prior to my adoption, I lived in Tennessee with my birth mother (in utero) and then spent one year in foster care. Doctors’ assessments of my potential medical issues deterred black families from adopting me, so a white couple with experience parenting children with special needs was selected. I moved across the […]
Ask the expert: Occupational therapy for kids
Occupational therapist Gina Fernandez explains what OT is, who it helps, and the qualifications required. What is occupational therapy and what qualifications do OTs need? Occupational Therapy (OT) is the art and science of enabling individuals to participate in meaningful activities or occupations by using evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning. Occupations vary: a child’s occupation […]
Ask the expert: When parenting gets tough
Adoption is a rewarding journey, but it can come with unexpected challenges. If your child is struggling to adjust, you’re not alone. Social worker Susan Lees shares insights and resources to help adoptive parents navigate this journey with support and confidence. “Two years ago we adopted a child of six. We have found parenting him […]
Parents or children: Whose job is it to change?
I was presenting at a workshop recently and mentioned, in an off-hand way, that I wondered what surprises we would find with our next adoption. A woman in the front row shot up her hand (front row people are like that). “What do you mean your next adoption? You already have nine children. Why would […]
Are you up to parenting a child with FASD?
When I met Susan Bell* in her large, Surrey home, I was immediately struck by how ordered and tidy it seemed, especially considering it’s home to several teens. I had pictured a far more hectic, cluttered place. Susan ushered me into her equally immaculate office, and we spoke for two hours about parenting kids with […]
The proposal process explained
Cathy Gilbert has been through the MCFD proposal process dozens of times (she’s adopted 11 children). Here, she shares what she’s learned. Accepting a proposal is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make—it needs to an informed one. Once parents, or a social worker have seen a potential child and parent match, information is […]
Respite: how to make it a reality for your family
Respite is a vital support for many adoptive families, but it can be a challenge to access funding and to find trustworthy and reliable caregivers. In this article, an adoptive mom of many explains how to make respite a basic part of your family lifestyle rather than a last resort. “I can’t deal with this […]
Ask the expert: Adoption and the school
Jennifer Hillman, a former Belonging Network regional coordinator, shares advice for helping children navigate hurtful comments about adoption. My six-year-old daughter came home from school very upset after a friend had told her that I was a “fake” mom. How can I help her face such difficult comments? First, have a discussion with your daughter […]
Diary of an Adoptive Mom #14
In the 14th of our series, we presen the secret thoughts of an adoptive mom of three kids, Emily, Grant, and Lynn. This time, our struggling mom realizes that, though it’s slow, she is making progress with her kids. February Although I haven’t written in a while, don’t start thinking things are getting dull around […]
Diary of an Adoptive Mom #10
In the tenth of our series, we present the secret thoughts of an adoptive mom of three kids. The behaviourist, Roz, who has come in to help the struggling family is teaching Mom how actions speak louder than words. Roz has been observing the kids for a while now and although she still hasn’t come […]
Diary of an Adoptive Mom #9
In the ninth of our series, we present the secret thoughts of an adoptive mom of three kids. This time, mom loses confidence that she can cope. The past ten days have been an absolute nightmare. The foster parents came for a visit last weekend. We’d planned this a month ago, and we all through […]
Diary of an Adoptive Mom #8
In the eighth of our series, we present the secret thoughts of an adoptive mom of three kids. After a couple of months having the children home, our mom finally admits she’s overwhelmed and needs help. No, I am not writing this from the psych ward. However, there are times when that is a definite […]
FASD support group: A parenting lifeline
“Are we scaring you?” the facilitator asked me in a very concerned voice. “Not at all,” I lied. My husband and I had recently brought home a sibling group of two, both of whom had been prentally exposed to alcohol and drugs. Despite all the reading and education we had done in advance, nothing prepared […]
