Today birth families and adoptees are connecting through DNA databases, social media and access to original birth certificates. Many people find search and reunion to be “one of the most emotional experiences in their lives”. They report that “support was key” in helping them to deal with their feelings and questions and to navigate these […]
Archive | Family Building Options
Disposition of Cryopreserved Embryos: Now That You Have Them, Can You Use Them?
Joni Mantell, LCSW, IAC Center Director with Denise E. Seidelman (Rumbold & Seidelman, LLP), Nina E. Rumbold (Rumbold & Seidelman, LLP) is offering a CLE training for lawyers on: Disposition of Cryopreserved Embryos: Now That You Have Them, Can You Use Them? Learn more and Register: https://www.lawline.com/course/disposition-of-cryopreserved-embryos-now-that-you-have-them-can-you-use-them
TiP-ToP Workshop: A Modernized WISE-Up Program
By Joni Mantell on March 9, 2016 in Adoption, Family Building Options, Siblings, TEENS, Transracial, Upcoming Events, Workshop
When: Sunday, May 1, 2016 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM (EDT) – Add to Calendar Where: IAC Center – 2 Tree Farm Road, Pennington, NJ 08534 – View Map We invite you and your adopted child/children or their siblings to participate in a concurrent workshop for parents and children ages 7 to 11. Did […]
Young Adults Leaving Home
By Joni Mantell on December 23, 2015 in Adoption, Adoption, adoptive families, Family Building Options, For Professionals, NEW Articles, TEENS
As seen on NYSCCC.org “There are only two lasting gifts we can give our children: One is roots – The other is wings” Hodding Carter, Sr. Leaving home is a challenging period in nearly everyone’s life, fraught with conflicting feelings and needs: the earnest desire for independence and autonomy, alongside the fear of failure, and […]
Healthy Holiday Tip Sheet
By Joni Mantell on December 18, 2015 in Adoption, Adoption, adoptive families, Family Building Options, Holiday, Infertility, NEW Articles, Open Adoption, Siblings, TEENS, Transracial
Third Thursday of the Month Group in 2014 SEASONS GREETINGS, Tis the season for heightened emotions. Whether you’re in the process of building your family or already parenting, I hope this Healthy Holidays Tip Sheet arrives in the nick of time. Pictured here are members of what was the Third Thursday of the Month Pre-adoption group at […]
Knowing When to Stop Trying
By Joni Mantell on September 1, 2015 in Adoption, Family Building Options, Infertility, Pre-adopt, Psychotherapy
Written By: Janet Jaffe, Ph.D./ Center for Reproductive Psychology /www.ReproductivePsych.org / www.UnsungLullabies.com One of the most profound decisions you must make when dealing with infertility – as important as the decision to try to conceive in the first place – is the decision to stop trying. How do you know when enough is enough? How can […]
Keeping Your Relationship Healthy During Infertility
Written by Janet Jaffe, Ph.D./ Center for Reproductive Psychology / www.ReproductivePsych.org / www.UnsungLullabies.com Adapted from: Unsung Lullabies: Understanding and Coping with Infertility (St. Martin’s Press, 2005) Infertility is not just an individual trauma. The stress on your relationship can leave you feeling that you’re alone in this, not facing this crisis together as partners, as a team. The […]
Adoption or Donor – Making the decision
By Joni Mantell on September 1, 2015 in Adoption, Family Building Options, Infertility, Open Adoption, Pre-adopt
Written By: Judith Kottick, LCSW Montclair, New Jersey/ judykottick@comcast.net/ (973) 746-7370 For many couples and individuals yearning for a child, it is unwelcome news to hear that the time has come to transition from the dream of parenting a child of your genes to an alternative family building method. While accepting the concept of non-genetic parenting […]
Adoption or Donor – Making the decision
Judith Kottick, LCSW Montclair, New Jersey judykottick@comcast.net (973) 746-7370 For many couples and individuals yearning for a child, it is unwelcome news to hear that the time has come to transition from the dream of parenting a child of your genes to an alternative family building method. While accepting the concept of non-genetic parenting may […]
Knowing When to Stop Trying
By Janet Jaffe, Ph.D. Center for Reproductive Psychology www.ReproductivePsych.org www.UnsungLullabies.com One of the most profound decisions you must make when dealing with infertility – as important as the decision to try to conceive in the first place – is the decision to stop trying. How do you know when enough is enough? How can you […]
Baby Care for Adoptive Parents – NY, NY
By Joni Mantell on August 21, 2015 in Adoption, Family Building Options, Open Adoption, Pre-adopt, Upcoming Events
Saturday, November 21, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM (EDT) 333 West 57th Street New York, NY This workshop is for you if you are waiting to adopt and would like to learn about baby care. Workshop Facilitator is Nicole Mayer RMA, RN, BSN, an IAC Center Educator, with extensive experience in infertility, OB/GYN, and newborn […]
Therapeutic Writing: Putting Your Feelings on Paper
By Joni Mantell on August 21, 2015 in Adoption, Family Building Options, Featured in Adoptive Families, Infertility, NEW Articles, Open Adoption, Pre-adopt, Psychotherapy
Infertility, parenting after adoption, growing up in an adoptive family, relinquishing a child—all give rise to complex emotions. Learn about the innovative Therapeutic Writing model that’s helping many lay bare and make sense of their innermost thoughts.
Open Adoption: A Reference Guide for Families
By Joni Mantell on August 21, 2015 in Adoption, Family Building Options, Featured in Adoptive Families, NEW Articles, Open Adoption
By Joni Mantell; as seen in Adoptive Families Magazine Open adoption is a scary phrase. “When I first heard it, I wondered, would I feel like a ‘stand in’ or a ‘rent-a-mom’?” says Christine, from New Jersey. This is the most common initial reaction prospective parents have—that open adoption is “co-parenting.” Others may come to domestic […]
Talking to Your Child About Their Donor Origins
Written By: Judith Kottick, LCSW, Fertility Counseling & Consulting Services 4 Key Parental Steps to prepare for talking to children about their donor origins: Make the decision to be open with your child before they are born and while they are young; as you get comfortable with the idea, the telling will be more natural […]
Resilience Tips for Your Family Building Journey
A process requiring resilience comes in two phases. First there is the crisis, a time when the loss or distress is often too unbearable for you to see opportunities that may be available. Once the distress fades away, you may start to see potential in a new situation and to gain a new perspective. And […]