Among the boxes of Kleenex, the 10-cent spiral notebooks and multicolored dry-erase markers, among the smell of brand-new denim and the return of the PB&J, is the well-known stress (coupled with relief) that comes with the start of a new school year. For families formed through adoption, this stress is especially complicated.
The Cradle Blog
June 06,2018
A few months ago, the Our Children program, Raising Black Children Across Racial Lines brought together transracial adoptees and adoptive parents. Together, they discussed the unique issues brought about when white parents raise children of color. Some recurrent themes stood out ...
May 01,2018
There is no fixed definition for "normal" behavior. It varies by person, time, place and situation. Challenges may crop up for your family that therapists in The Cradle’s Center for Lifelong Adoption Support (CLAS) can help you work through.
February 05,2018
The Adoptive Family Weekend is full and we will not be taking anymore registrations. If you would like to be informed about next year's event please email us at AdoptiveFamilyWeekend@gmail.com and request to be put on our mailing list. Thank you!
August 22,2017
If you’re an adult adoptee, 18 years or older, and looking for a way to connect with the adoption community please consider helping out at The Cradle’s Adoptive Family Weekend. The weekend is over Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-4, up at the YMCA Minikani in Hubertus, Wisconsin (20 mins north of Milwaukee).
March 10,2017
In 2014, I walked into my position as a work-study intern for The Cradle completely new to the whole “adoption thing.” When I thought of adoption, I pictured families journeying to far-off countries to bring their children home, or young adults searching for birth parents who have been absent their whole lives. About certain aspects I wasn’t far off.
July 26,2016
A critical decision every parent makes for their child is deciding where they will go to school. We want the best for our children and know how foundational a good education is to reaching their full potential.
April 05,2016
Thank you to everyone for the love, prayers, and shares for Baby A! We are delighted to announce that Aubrey went home with her forever family. Congratulations to parents Chelsea and David!
November 25,2015
Back in 2001, Cristina Dombrowski spent nearly three weeks in The Cradle Nursery before going home with her parents Vicky Dal Santo and John Dombrowski, so she has a special place in her heart for the Nursery.
October 28,2015
Just saw this question in a popular advice column Ask Amy and had to add our 2 cents.
May 13,2015
The Cradle had the great fortune of sponsoring Mei Kelly for her Senior Studies project at Evanston Township High School. Adopted at nine months old from Southern China, Mei wants to share the stories of adopted teens in the U.S. today.
April 29,2015
There has been a flurry of news lately regarding states’ rights, adoption and same-gender families. While it is fine for adults to debate where the line between church and state may lie, and what should be legal and what not, it is concerning to us as child welfare professionals that too often the rights of the child are being short-changed.
December 16,2014
Countries open and close programs, change rules about who can adopt, and seem to be cavalier about the well-being of their orphaned children. It is typical for children already home to have questions and concerns surrounding these changes.
October 29,2014
Adopted persons born in Illinois may now request a non-certified copy of the Original Birth Certificate (OBC) from The IL Department of Public Health or call 877-323-5299 for more information.
October 27,2014
For non-conspicuous adoptive families, strangers typically do not ask them intrusive questions at the park and in the grocery store; their child does not have to explain to her friends why she doesn’t look like her mom and dad. Find out why it's important to tell your child he or she was adopted.