Morning Routines

As school starts back all across the country, it is important to establish routines for your child, whether they are adopted or biological children! It's imperative to begin the year off in a positive way, being prepared for the school day. The morning routine actually starts the night before. Feel free to add your comments.

The night before, pack the book bag with all needed items for the next day, such as homework, supplies, permission slips, etc.

Check to make sure all homework is completed. Go over as needed. (Has anyone else noticed that homework is mounting and getting harder each year??)

Prepare lunch or give lunch money the night before.

Have your child pick out his/her clothes for the next day. As they are getting out their jammies, have them go ahead and pick out something special to wear to school.

Establish a regular bedtime--Children need more sleep than adults, and the lack of sleep will show in their behavior and school performance.

Have a regular wake up time each morning.

Establish a morning routine. Lots of parents get creative and develop charts, with stickers or smiley faces. Let your child check off each task, such as getting dressed, brushing teeth, having breakfast, etc.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. It's especially important for children who have been adopted to have routines and structure. Knowing what to expect will help your child adjust to his/her new environment.

Why adopt an older child?

As an adult, think about your favorite holiday and how you celebrate your happiest occasions. I bet that family comes to mind. How often do we get together with extended family members for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas morning exchange and birthday celebrations. Did you bring your significant other home to "meet the family"? Did you/Do you get daily or weekly phone calls from Mom and Dad checking in on you?

Imagine having no one to call you on your birthday, imagine having no family to make plans with for the holidays, and worst of all, imagine having no grandparents to take your first child to. Children who do not get adopted face all of these issues. Whether a child is in an International orphanage or an American foster home, if a child "ages out" and doesn't become a part of a forever family, he/she has no one to call family, no one to take their first real love home to meet, and no one to gather with for the holidays. Can you imagine your life without all of the weird and sometimes dysfunctional people that you call family?

An older child doesn't mean a child that is passed the infant stage and learning to talk. Older children are often times elementary school age and many times, already into teenage status. Take a look at your state's waiting children. Chances are high that you will find more than one child that is nearing high school graduation, still waiting and hoping that he/she will be chosen by a family.

Consider an older child for adopting! Check out the link on Adoptive Families: http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=1358#1

Georgia Adoption Registry

Georgia's Adoption Reunion Registry was created as a result of a state law effective on July 1, 1990. The purpose of the Registry is to offer services to birth parents, adopted persons, adoptive parents and siblings who are affected by adoptions finalized in Georgia.
For more information or to register, contact:

Georgia Adoption Reunion Registry
Families First/ Office of Adoptions
2 Peachtree St N.W. Suite 8-407
Atlanta, GA 30303-3143
(404) 657-3555
1-888-328-0055