cadamy

Tired

Today I’m reading in a national publication about three rape victims in my home state being bullied out of high school. A few weeks ago I was filing a police report, because a man in my building attempted to sexually assault me in the middle of the day. Last year I was explaining to myContinue reading “Tired”

Excalibur

First, Happy Adoption Month! Secondly, though it may seem like we’re super serious a lot of the time, what with the calls to the local PD, psychiatric hospital stays, running away, my meltdowns, and other stuff, we actually do have a pretty fun time at our house. We camp, we take road trips, we hadContinue reading “Excalibur”

$#!+ People Say To Foster Parents

Wow, I wish I’d made this. Terrifyingly accurate. Bravo!

So Comfortable

This morning I read Slate’s story on The Whiteness Project and I was reminded of the times I’ve been asked by black people how I got so comfortable around black people. First, I have to give major credit to those who asked, because that’s not an easy question to ask for lots of reasons. And,Continue reading “So Comfortable”

Removed Part Two

Several months ago I wrote about an incredible film, Removed, that obviously resonated with you like it did me, because more than two hundred thousand of you viewed it from this page, and now the creators of Removed have launched a Kickstarter campaign to craft Removed Part Two, and they need your help in creating whatContinue reading “Removed Part Two”

What Adoption Classes Didn’t Teach Us About Raising Black Children

Wow, I wish I’d written this. What Adoption Classes Didn’t Teach Us About Raising Black Children.

Mars

My oldest ran away this week. She’s run away multiple times (it’s her thing), but she’s never stayed away overnight before, which she did this time. She apparently landed at her friend’s house where I went to pick her up today and take her to the CALM center where she can stay until we (I,Continue reading “Mars”

Don’t Mind The Man Behind The Curtain

Though it’s taken me years to learn, I’ve finally figured out that one of the the most vital parts of my kids’ history and their issues is shame. When I really sit and analyze why they have the unhealthy behaviors they have, it always come back to the shame they feel from their early lives.Continue reading “Don’t Mind The Man Behind The Curtain”

Interview on NPR’s “Tell Me More”

Thanks to NPR’s “Tell Me More” program for doing a story on the complicated nature of Mother’s Day for foster moms and kids. Cris Beam, author of To the End of June: The Intimate Life of American Foster Care was interviewed as was Jeanne Pritzker, the fabulous founder of an annual Foster Mother’s Day celebration.Continue reading “Interview on NPR’s “Tell Me More””

Public Service Announcement

My friend, and adoptive parent in crime, Michelle Kelley sent this to me tonight. I have literally been asked ALL of these questions. I have watched this video six times, because it’s ridiculously on target. And, I’ve been known to respond to people who ask “are those your real kids? with “Are those your realContinue reading “Public Service Announcement”