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There is much to know about the adoption process. Knowing what questions to ask and what specifically to research can be a difficult task on its own. We have put together a library of articles that you can start with.

Respecting Expectant Mothers: Boundaries in Adoption

Kelcie Grace Germano2023-09-15T12:42:28-07:00September 15, 2023|Adoption Advisor, Adoption Education, Adoption is Hard, Adoption Process, Domestic infant adoption, Drug/Alcohol Exposure, Hoping to Adopt, Learn|

In this blog post, Katie Zimmerman, founder of Purl, explores a topic that's often misunderstood: the boundaries and limitations inherent in being a prospective adoptive parent. It's crucial to understand and respect that the expectant mother holds the autonomy to decide what medical information to share and your level of involvement during her pregnancy. Knowing the difference between what you can 'expect' and what you're 'entitled to' in an adoption proceeding is vital for anyone considering the path of adoption. Click here for a comprehensive guide on how to navigate this sensitive and intricate journey.

Adoption is NOT Surrogacy

Kelcie Grace Germano2023-09-15T13:02:50-07:00September 14, 2023|Adoption Advisor, Adoption Education, Adoption is Hard, Adoption Perspectives, Adoption Process, Domestic infant adoption, Drug/Alcohol Exposure, Embryo Donation/Adoption, Hoping to Adopt, Infertility, Learn|

In this article, Purl Founder, Katie Zimmerman, aims to shed light on a pervasive misconception: treating adoption as if it were surrogacy. Prospective adoptive parents, particularly those looking into domestic infant adoption, must understand that the two paths are not interchangeable, particularly when it comes to interacting with expectant mothers. This article explores the key distinctions between surrogacy and adoption to equip prospective adoptive parents with the insight they need for a respectful and ethical adoption journey. Click here to read more.

Navigating Transracial Adoption

Kelcie Grace Germano2023-08-19T11:48:16-07:00August 18, 2023|Adoption Education, Adoption Perspectives, Domestic infant adoption, Hoping to Adopt, Learn, Open Adoption (Learn), Transracial Adoption (Learn)|

Explore the complexities of transracial adoption in today's blog post, "Navigating Transracial Adoption," authored by Ramya Gruneisen. Drawing from her personal experience as a transracial adoptee, Ramya delves into the vital aspects of this journey, offering guidance to adoptive parents and families. With a background in Public Health and a commitment to educating adoption agencies, Ramya provides unique insights on creating a supportive environment and initiating crucial conversations. Join her as she shares valuable practices, emphasizing the significance of representation, community, and empathy in this sensitive process. Click here to read more.

Giving Young Adoptees Tools to Discuss Adoption (OR NOT!)

Katie Zimmerman2023-07-29T13:04:49-07:00July 28, 2023|Adoption Advisor, Adoption Education, Adoption is Hard, Adoption Perspectives, Domestic infant adoption|

As you may know, I (Katie - Founder/CEO) have two daughters that are only eight months apart in age. We are that cliché that everyone talks about, we discovered a very unexpected pregnancy after already being placed with our daughter through adoption. Before someone asks, it was not because we "relaxed and stopped trying and then it just happened". There was nothing relaxing about the adoption process or the adoption disruption we had around the time we must have conceived our younger daughter. But, we were very lucky to have become pregnant naturally after being unsuccessful in multiple rounds of fertility treatments, and we feel so lucky to have our two daughters. But having siblings through adoption - one adopted and one a biological child can present some unique situations and considerations for adoptive families, especially if they are close to the same age, or if they are of a different ethnicity. To read more about education that is necessary for our kids in these situations, click here.

Problems in Domestic Adoption and Purl Filling a HUGE Gap

Katie Zimmerman2023-07-10T09:53:17-07:00July 8, 2023|Adoption Advisor, Adoption Education, Adoption is Hard, Adoption Outreach, Adoption Perspectives, Adoption Process, Domestic infant adoption, Hoping to Adopt, Learn, Open Adoption (Learn)|

What a week it has been! Please excuse the rant that follows as I (Katie - CEO/Founder) share some of my frustrations about the current state of the world of domestic infant adoption. Whether it be recently explaining to an agency director why I won't recommend their licensed adoption agency that routinely ships the expectant mothers they work with across lines to their "adoption friendly" state, or having to justify the work that Purl is doing as an adoption advisor in a sea of unethical adoption professionals, I'm frankly exhausted and questioning why I make the huge effort to do the work I do. Today I candidly some of my thoughts on the problems with the current state of domestic adoption and explain again what Purl is doing to fill the HUGE gaps caused by other adoption professionals. Click here to read more.

Dear Birth Father of My Child

Katie Zimmerman2023-06-18T15:37:13-07:00June 18, 2023|Adoption Education, Adoption is Hard, Adoption Perspectives, Domestic infant adoption, Learn, Open Adoption (Learn)|

This is a letter by an adoptive father to his daughter's birth father, who was not involved in the adoption plan and is still unknown to her adoptive family. I am a dad through adoption and the only person my daughter has known as a father. I wanted to write to you on Father’s Day to share some thoughts I have and to introduce you to the daughter you may not even know is out there. I think of you often but felt compelled this year to share with you my thoughts and feelings about our adoption and about your beautiful daughter. Click here to read more.

Trauma in Domestic Infant Adoption

Katie Zimmerman2023-06-09T09:01:00-07:00June 9, 2023|Adoption Advisor, Adoption Education, Adoption is Hard, Domestic infant adoption, Hoping to Adopt|

We are continuing our series on the “Things I Did Wrong” in our own adoptions to help prospective adoptive parents better prepare for their own adoption journeys. Once again CEO/Founder is coming back to share more of her mistakes. This time, she’ll be sharing her mistakes in choosing infant adoption as a route to grow her family, erroneously assuming this would avoid any trauma in an adoptee, as compared to either adoption from foster care or international adoption. Click here to read more about trauma in infant adoption.

Saviorism in Adoption

Kelcie Grace Germano2023-06-09T09:20:10-07:00June 1, 2023|Adoption Advisor, Adoption Education, Adoption is Hard, Adoption Perspectives, Adoption Process, Hoping to Adopt, Learn|

Today we continue our series on “What I Did Wrong as a Prospective Adoptive Parent”. In this blog Purl Advisor, Kelcie Grace, will discuss the concept of saviorism in adoption and how prospective adoptive parents early in the adoption process often see themselves as “helping a baby in need of a loving home” and fail to grasp the complexities and trauma of adoption. To read more, click here.

Oversharing My Adoption Story

Aubrey Cortez2023-06-09T09:21:45-07:00May 27, 2023|Adoption Advisor, Adoption Education, Adoption is Hard, Adoption Perspectives, Drug/Alcohol Exposure, Hoping to Adopt, Learn|

Hi there! My name is Aubrey, I am one of the Purl advisors and today I am sharing one of the biggest mistakes I made on my personal adoption journey: oversharing my child's adoption story. Parenting is hard and it's easy to get caught up in all the things we could have done better. My hope is by sharing a sliver of my story, prospective adoptive families that are just starting their journeys can learn from my mistake. Click here to read more.

Celebrating Adoption Finalization – This Gay Dad’s Perspective

Katie Zimmerman2023-05-22T11:20:21-07:00May 22, 2023|Adoption Education, Adoption is Hard, Adoption Perspectives, Domestic infant adoption, Hoping to Adopt|

If you've been following along, our CEO/Founder, Katie Zimmerman, has been doing a series surrounding the things she feels she did wrong in her domestic infant adoption journey, with the benefit of hindsight. We have gotten a lot of positive feedback from our readers and our fellow Purl Families who we have helped along the way. Daniel Duran, who adopted his daughter a few years ago with his husband with our support, sent this response to our recent post about whether we should celebrate adoption finalization days. In it, Daniel shares what celebrating adoption finalization means to him as a gay dad. We hope you enjoy this perspective and we hope this encourages you to also share your thoughts on the "mistakes" we have been discussing! Click here to read more.

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