Meeting #2 - Extended Family and Your Kids

The second meeting of the group took place March 24, 2009 and our theme of the evening was Extended Family and Your Kids.  

Current adoptive parents shared their stories on the first meetings they arranged between their parents and kids.  This included some helpful tips on how to prepare both your parents and your children.  In particular, since most of our extended families tend not to live in Ottawa we also addressed how this works when your family comes and stays with you.

We also delved into how much of our kids' history we shared with our immediate family, and why, and what the outcome of that was.  Who should know about your child's history?  What is need to know and what is nice to know?  How much or how little do you tell?  What are the differences we should consider between younger and older children?

This then led to discussions on helping your parents and extended family prepare for the needs of children who have been adopted and what to expect.

We spent some of our time together talking about our adoption processes as there are a few prospective LGBTQ adoptive parents in our group.

Make sure to join us at our next meeting on April 21 where we'll delve into attachment and why it matters. 

Ottawa Launch of Expanding Possibilities: Research and resources about LGBTTT adoption in Ontario

Please join us at an event designed to highlight the results from a unique research study exploring the experiences of LGBTTT adoptive parents and to launch some new resources for Ottawa LGBTTT parents. Including:

• A scripted reading of LGBTTT adoption stories
• Launch of a new brochure
• Learn about the Ten Oaks Project and the Around The Rainbow Project
• Learn about a new support group for LGBTTT adoptive parents and their families
• A “Prospective Parents Café” – an opportunity for those thinking of adopting to talk to other adoptive parents.
• Activities for kids and light refreshments

Sunday, March 22nd, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Family Services Ottawa
312 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa, ON

Contact Scott Anderson at: Scott_Anderson@camh.net for more information.

ALL ARE WELCOME !!!

This research was funded by the Social Services and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and the Lesbian Health Fund (LHF) of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA, and conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in partnership with the LGBTQ Parenting Network, Sherbourne Health Centre (SHC).

Next Meeting - March 24

The next meeting of the Post-Adoption Support Group for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, queer) Parents will take place Tuesday, March 24 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at the Overbrook Community Centre (33 Quill St).

The topic to guide discussion will be Extended Family and Your Kids. Our discussion may cover things like:

• How to prepare for the first grandparent meeting
• Talking with your extended family about your kid(s)
• Ideas about what and what not to share regarding your child's history
• And anything else you'd like to cover

All are welcome. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. Please note that onsite child care will not be provided.

Right now, we're soliciting community-wide feedback on what LGBTQ parents would like this group to be. Please take 5 minutes to complete our online questionnaire.

For more information, please check out our blog www.lgbtqadoptionottawa.blogspot.com, email lgbtqadoptionottawa [at] rogers.com or call Holly at 613.742.5944 (note: if you don't leave a message on the machine, please assume the 13 year-old messenger failed to take your message!)