Support Groups: What are the benefits?

* Making Connections (feeling less alone)
* Improving coping skills
* Getting motivated: to find resources, ways to focus
* Finding hope

Given the lengthy wait for your referral Support Groups may really be useful to get you through the tough days, where you feel you just cannot wait another day to know who your child is.

Our agency realizes that waiting families need support, but find that it is difficult to find positive ways to help families during the wait.  We hope you feel comfortable to call  or e-mail when you have questions.  We also hope you rest assured that we are updating you as much as we can, on the process, referrals, new policies.  In recognizing our limitations, we hope to help families find the resources they need and the support that they need during the long wait.

This link is one you might find to be a helpful start in finding a support group, and learning more about the pros and cons of them.

http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/support_group.php

If you live in the MA area this group might also interest you:
http://adoptioncommunityofne.org/pages/programs/all/support-group-for-waiting-parents.php


Support Organizations              

Families with Children from China (FCC)
FCC is a volunteer network of independent chapters across the country and the world . It is made up of families with children adopted from China as well as families waiting for or considering adoption from China. It provides a way to connect with other families with children from China and to learn about adoptive parenting and the various ways internationally adopted children form their sense of identity. FCC’s mission is to help families celebrate the joys of Chinese culture and their children’s heritage, as well as to support children who wait in the Chinese orphanages. You can learn more about FCC and what it has to offer by going to the national web site - http://www.fwcc.org. This web site is an informative resource for pre- and post-adoptive families.

FCC-NE - New England
This is the largest chapter in the New England area and one of the most active in the country. Its magazine, China Connection, is published three times a year and includes articles, interviews, and book reviews about adoption, Chinese culture, medical issues, cultural activities, and much more. FCC-NE sends regular email updates; a quarterly calendar of playgroups, cultural events, parties, and other news from around the region; and invitations to educational events and Chinese New Year parties. It publishes an annual membership directory, provides access to a lending library of adoption-related videos, and more. The membership fee for the FCC-NE chapter is $29 a year. Membership also links you to local affiliate groups around Massachusetts, supported by FCC-NE, which sponsor events of local interest. While FCC-NE activities are primarily in eastern Massachusetts, families outside this area may still be interested in joining to receive the newsletter and other resources. To join, download an application from the FCC-NE website at http://fccne.org, contact Susan Avery (Membership) 978-635-1982 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it For more information about FCC-NE and how to get involved, contact Joyce Tavon (Outreach) (617) 625-4284 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

FCC-CT/RI/Central MA
Membership of $20 per year or $35 for two years provides you with access to area holiday events, a newsletter, email list-serv group, Chinese Culture Courses and more. For information about joining contact Robyn Leo, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by mail at FCC-CT/RI/Central MA, c/o Robyn Leo, PO Box 101, Thompson, CT, 06277.

FCC-New Hampshire
Membership of $25 provides you with access to three annual events including a Chinese New Year party, a summer picnic and a Cultural day as well as the national FCC newsletter and a local chapter newsletter published three times a year. For information about joining the New Hampshire chapter, contact: Vicki Etchings, Membership Coordinator (603) 745-9828 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SPACE - For Single Parents

Check our website at www.geocities.com/odsspace for more information or contact Claudia This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Kathy This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Chinese Culture/Adoption Support Connection for Young Children Adopted From China and Their Families

Publications

NEW!!   The Chinese Way to Wealth and Prosperity -- by Michael Lee, an adoptive parent - www.michaeljustinlee.com

received good review by the New York Times

Is She Your Real Sister?

Bonding Tips!

Adoption In School

Transracial Parenting

Surviving the China Wait 

Older Child Adoption

Sleep Solutions   

Is It Adoption or Is It Life? 

Raising Sound Sleepers 

Adoption Stories 

 http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14579781

Adoptive Families of America Magazine
Bi-monthly magazine offering the most up-to -date information, support, and advice on adoption issues. Please contact: AFA, 2309 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, 1-800-372-3300 Web: www.adoptivefam.com

CAWLI Family Blogs:

http://babygraceking.blogspot.com/ 
http://zoechronicles.blogspot.com/ 

http://tayloradoption.blogspot.com/
http://acdbeach.blogspot.com/

http://www.ouradoptionjournal.blogspot.com/

http://home.comcast.net/~benjenn
http://ongoldenhill.blogspot.com/          
http://www.babyjellybeans.com/web/do/site/home?ID=294530
http://www.babyjellybeans.com/web/do/site/home?ID=172693
http://www.waitingformolly.blogspot.com/
http://www.lucchesi.org/adopt/home/

 One adoptiove mother has set up a group to discuss adoption related issues, in particular there is discussion around the recent reports of melamine in the milk produts in China.  This mother has sent an invite to anyone who would like to join:

"This group has been set up to discuss the melamine issue in China. We are here to share information and learn from each other so our children can get the right testing and right treatment.

Please see the file section for lots of information.

Please fill in the information in the database section so we can see how far back this issue goes.

I want to add that I am an adoptive mom as well and have no medical knowledge, just what I read like the rest of you, and what I find out from my doctor. So the more we share (and where the information came from) will be helpful for all. "
 
If you would like to join, here is the link:
 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChinaMilkIssue/

Events

CAWLI’s Annual Chinese New Year Celebration Held every year to celebrate the Chinese New Year. A great way to meet other CAWLI families!

The Dragon Boat Festival
Held annually in May or June along the banks of the Charles River. In addition to the boat races the festivities include music, dance, Asian arts and crafts and food.

Resources To Learn Chinese & Chinese Culture

http://www.livemocha.com/

http://chinesepod.com/ 

Schools*

The Boston Chinese Folk and Classical Dance Troupe
Classes run every Saturday for all levels and ages!
Please see www.BostonChineseDance.org for more information.

Cambridge Center for Chinese Culture
Director: Ms. Kai Tao at 781.788.8558, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.bostoncccc.org/
411 Waverley Oaks RD, Building #2, Suite 214, Waltham, MA 02452
Home to: Little Wagon Early Education Center
Contact Paula Phipps or for more information go to http://www.littlewagon.org/

Children and Music in Chinese
Director: Ms. Pei-Chun Lin, at 508-333-2535, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it http://www.childrenandmusic.com/Music/Movement, piano, flute, Chinese flute and voice classes for all ages, using Chinese language.

China Bridge for Education
Yong Li, Director
617.970.1769
7 Brook St., Quincy, MA
www.chinabridgeforeducation.org or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text60604 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //-->\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

GBCCA's Little Dragon Girls Troop Seeks New Dancers
Traditional Chinese dance classes: 2-3 Saturday mornings/month, October 15, 2005-June 10, 2006. Openings for beginners aged 5-6 years old and dancers 10 years and up with any prior (ballet to hip-hop) experience. Go to www.gbcca.org for more information.

Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association
437 Cherry Street, West Newton, MA 02465
Telephone: 617.332.0377
Web Address: www.gbcca.org

Massachusetts Chinese School (MCS)
Director: Dr. Peng Yin
Newton Horace Mann Elementary School
687 Watertown St., Newton, MA 02460
Telephone: 781.275.8942
Offer various summer classes!
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
web: www.masschineseschool.org

Tapes and Videos*
Follow Me Learning Chinese, Learning Express, Inc. 888.246.1860
www.learningchinese.com

Play and Learn With Mei Mei
Mei Mei and Me
Play & Learn Chinese with Mei Mei video series
Website:  http://chinaadoption.org/www.meimeiandme.com
Telephone: 401-723- 4440

*Please note that this is a partial listing of various schools and services and as an agency, we do not necessarily endorse any school/product listed above. Instead, we encourage you to research each service on your own to determine the most appropriate for you and your family.

Travel Clinics for Parents

Clinics for Adopted Children 

 Book List

Most of these books can be ordered from the Adoptive Families of America's bookstore. The telephone number is: 1-800-372-3300, or visit their web site at www.tapestrybooks.com.