Parenting After Adoption

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A not-for-profit Support Group for Parents with Adopted Children, based in Ontario, Canada

"....Some of the adoption-related challenges my wife and I were experiencing with our younger boy were confusing and exhausting.  There were others in the group who had gone through something similar.  It was a relief to be able to talk to someone who "got it", and was able to give us constructive advice......"

(Adoptive father of 3 1/2 year-old boy)

PAA is a forum for adoptive parents for exchange of information relating to parenting our children, and to the adoption process itself.

All who have issues relating to parenting after adoption are welcome to participate in the support group, which is based in Southern Ontario, Canada. Any information discussed by the group is kept confidential within the group.

Adoption brings special issues to the parties involved.  Adoptive parents often seek out other people who understand their children, their families, and the unique challenges and rewards that adoption has brought to their lives. Parenting children whose lives have been affected by neglect, abuse, institutional care, separation and loss, and multiple moves is like no other kind of parenting.  Families may have to draw on skills they never knew they had or needed.  They may need to turn to others who have experienced similar challenges. By bringing together people who have been touched by adoption, our group can:
 

• Validate experiences and frustrations;
• Celebrate the joys and challenges unique to adoption;
• Enable the sharing of resources, suggestions, and success stories;
• Identify and solve problems;
• Guide parents on a better understanding of adoption’s impact on child development;
• Reduce feelings of isolation and self-doubt or guilt when problems arise in the family.

 
Most importantly, our support group offer encouragement and hope to those who are new to adoption and may feel overwhelmed, and provides a forum for parents to discuss specific adoption issues with parents who have already gone down this road .

We now have two branches of Parenting After Adoption!

The original group is based in Mississauga, Ontario, and the second group, Parenting After Adoption, North, meets occasionally in Bolton.

Mississauga
We have changed the format of our meetings,  focussing on several joint events with our children - such as a Tobogganing Day or Skating Party, a Summer BBQ, a Sports Day or Pool Day, a Hallowe'en or Harvest Festival Day.  We are now holding only 2 support meeting per year - in April and September (but we are flexible, if the need is there).

2008 Meeting Schedule for the Mississauga branch of PAA:

Sat     Feb 9     10:00 am    Tobogganing Day or Skating Party
Tues   Apr 15    7:30 pm    General Meeting, Mississauga
Sat     Jun 21    11:00 am    BBQ
Sat     Aug 16   10:00 am    Swimming/Splashpad
Tues   Sep 16     7:30 pm    Support Meeting, Mississauga
Sat     Oct 18    10:30 am    Harvest Festival Day
Sat      Dec 6     12 – 4pm   Christmas Pot Luck Party, Mississauga

For futher details on the Mississauga or Bolton meetings or events, please call Paul at (905) 278-5022
 

Healthcare Professionals - Adoption Related
    (Under Construction)

Community Champions Network - Post Adoption Support Initiative in Ontario
    (Under Construction)

Association of Adoptive Parents of Ontario
    (Under Construction)

    Adopt Ontario
     Adoption Resource Exchange - April 2008

If you would like to learn more about Parenting After Adoption, or attend the monthly meetings, please email us at: mississauga@parentingafteradoption.ca or call Paul at  (905) 278-5022