Independent Adoption Center » IAC

Modern Extended Family

IAC — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:53:10 +0000

Even so, the knowledge we now have tells us that modern infant adoption increasingly involves informed consent, mutual respect and the genuine best interests of children to a degree that simply hadn’t existed before. And it tells us — in the really big picture — that adoption as a social institution continues to do what it has done for a very long time: open our minds and alter our collective views about what constitutes a family, and that’s very good news for the growing gamut of family constellations in our country today.

~ Excerpt from Adam Pertman in, “New Realities in the Extended Family: Who Is the Woman Celebrating Thanksgiving with Your Next-Door Neighbors?”

Top Ten Tips for Avoiding Delays When Filing for the Adoption Tax Credit

IAC — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:39:39 +0000

It’s tax season again and time you file your adoption tax credit. In order to avoid the delays experienced by many adoptive families last year, follow the ten helpful tips provided by Creating A Family in their recent blog post, “Top Ten Tips for Avoiding Delays When Filing for the Adoption Tax Credit.”

In addition to tips, the post provides resources on the adoption tax credit, including links to necessary IRS forms and interviews with adoption and tax professionals. You can also sign up for weekly emails about several bills in Congress trying to make the Adoption Tax Credit permanent.

Read the full article here.

Meet Glenda Duru, Birthparent Outreach, Houston

IAC — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:18:55 +0000

Greetings all, I am Glenda Duru, a native of Houston, Texas. I am of Nigerian Descent and truly love my Nigerian heritage. I received my bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Prairie View A&M University. Currently, I am completing my Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Houston. I have a long-term goal of going to Law School and receiving my JD. I am in love with every aspect of Social Work. I enjoy empowering people & communities.

I love working in the community, so most of my spare time is spent with my Girl POWER mentoring group for high school girls in the Alief Community. I am also a sorority girl and enjoy spending time with my sorority sisters doing community service. I enjoy spending time with my friends, family and going to church. Another important part of me that I care about is dance. I love the sound of music and enjoy dancing to Nigerian Music, both old school and new school.

I am very excited to join the IAC as the Houston Birthparent Outreach Worker. I am ready to make long lasting partnerships for IAC within the Houston Community and State of Texas.

Celebrating Adoption Through Photography

IAC — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:19:48 +0000

“An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break.”-Chinese proverb

From this quote grew the name Red Thread and its connection to adoption. Red Thread Sessions, an organization that provides complimentary photography services to adoptive families, was created in 2011 by two photographers who had gone through the adoption process themselves. Gradually, photographers across the country started to volunteer their services. The photographers involved see it as an opportunity to capture the unique emotions involved in adoption.

To qualify for a Red Thread Session your adoption must be not be more than three months post-finalization. There are three types of sessions: family portrait, homecoming session, birth photography. Visit their website for more information.

Here is a list of Red Thread Session Photographers.

If you decide to take advantage of this wonderful service, please share your photos on IAC’s Facebook Page, or send us the digital files for inclusion on our blog. Don’t’ forget to credit your generous photographer!

Waiting to Adopt: Shop for Baby Furniture

IAC — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:59:08 +0000

“This one’s too big, this one’s too small, this one fits just right!”

Finding the right baby furniture for your child is very important and finding quality furniture at a decent price can be a hassle. But getting started early will help you sift through all the products and find the best furniture for your child. Before you get started on buying anything read, “How to buy a safe crib” for safety tips and what to look for when buying a crib. Safety and versatility are two of the most important things to look for when buying baby furniture. Most cribs range from $100-$500, but if you’re looking for something fancy, the price can reach $1,000.

Before you start shopping you can also check out Baby’s Dream Furniture where you can:

Visualize your child’s nursery using a virtual nursery planner
Get a free 36 page nursery guide
Pick out wall decals
Get ideas from real nurseries
And shop when you are ready!

Here are some other places to browse for furniture:
For bargain shoppers:

For the high end traditionalists:

For modernistas:

Happy shopping!

Waiting to Adopt: Select A Name for Baby

IAC — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:33:51 +0000

“A Rose By Any Other Name Would Smell As Sweet.” ~ William Shakespeare

Regardless of what you name your child, you will love he/she unconditionally. But picking out a name is one of the most exciting things to do before your child arrives! It’s a way to create a meaningful connection, whether it be familial, personally sentimental, or inspired by the birth family. Babyhold.com is a great resource to search baby names based on family origin, famous names, unique names, as well as many other categories.

Here are some more sites to get ideas:

BabyZone: They have celebrity baby names, as well as other names you can search with origin and meaning

MomsWhoThink: Provides baby names with tips, and also the top baby names for each decade as far back as 1880!

babycenter: This site lets you search baby names by gender, popularity, syllables, what you want it to start or end with, origin, or by meaning! Very useful!

Make the naming process fun! Think outside the box. If you get frustrated coming to a decision, consult the Name Inventor. It’s sure to make you laugh!

Tax Attorney Discusses Adoption Tax Credit

IAC — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:12:04 +0000

Adoption Share hosted an interview with a tax attorney to address new changes regarding the adoption tax credit. For answers to your questions, read the transcript.

Destiny Fulfilled: Single Woman Becomes an Adoptive Mother-Part 2

IAC — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:13:34 +0000

Part two of Darlene’s story tells of what led her to her daughter Shayna Rose, revealing the ordinary day that turned into the day she’d never forget, and how her life forever changed. To hear the rest of Darlene’s story read: “Triumph Over Tragedy: A Baby Miracle (Part 2)

Destiny Fulfilled: Single Woman Becomes an Adoptive Mother

IAC — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:41:24 +0000

Darlene recently adopted a newborn baby girl through the IAC after a 37 month wait. Her story of perseverance is told in a two part series in the San Ramon Patch. Part one, published today, details what led her to adoption in the first place. Part two, coming out tomorrow, will chart her struggles and her endurance on her journey to motherhood. Read part one of this inspiring two part series by Sarah Frank, “Triumph Over Tragedy: Wanting to Become a Mom.”

Through Your Child’s Eyes: Create an Adoption Life Book

IAC — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:34:19 +0000

Creating an adoption life book is a great way to capture the entire story of your child’s adoption, from the phone call or match meeting, to the day you brought him/her home. A life book is essentially a scrapbook created through the eyes of your child. A life book is a visual depiction of your child’s birth story that will always reminder them of who he/she is and where he/she came from.

A life book is useful because:

It helps establish a bond between you are your child;
Being able to visualize the story, helps your child understand his/her adoption;
It will be a lifelong momento.

Before you begin creating this important family keepsake, find some inspiration. Creating Keepsakes is a good place to start.

Here are a few websites that sell scrapbook supplies:

http://www.creativememories.com/

http://www.paper-source.com/

Nowadays there are even resources for creating printable or digital scrapbooks! Scrapblog takes advantage of drag and drop technology, making design and sharing easy and fun.

For a list of the best software and online scrapbooking tools view this list.

IAC would love to see your creativity at work! Please feel free to share your masterpieces on our Facebook page. Happy life book creating!