Continued Decline in International Adoption Numbers in 2013

Here's an interesting report about the continued decline in international adoptions.

Celebrity adoptees . . .

Thought this was an interesting slide show . . .
http://celebs.allwomenstalk.com/celebrities-who-were-adopted-that-you-probably-didnt-know-of

Understanding the Federal Income Adoption Tax Credit

The subject of the Federal Adoption Tax Credit is complex (and ever-changing, it seems), but it appears that we have reached a little bit of a stasis. This is a great resource (here) for understanding the subject visit me at www.nedwilliams.com if you have questions.

"Second Best" in the eyes of the beholder?

Here's an encouraging and inspiring account--from author Karen Beattie (http://karenbeattie.net/blog/), of adoption through foster care. It will likely challenge your perspective of adoption through state foster care.

More on IRS targeting of adoption tax credit filers . . .

When you study the data (as attorney and author David French has) there is no justification for the IRS' zealous auditing of American families who have claimed the adoption tax credit . . . (more here).

Failed adoptions stir outrage . . .

This news story about WA adoptee Hana Williams is troubling . . . Failed adoptions stir outrage; reforms are elusive; however, I think it is ignorant or disingenuous to frame a discussion about adoptees who face abuse without the context of the high percentage of parenting "failures" (or abuses) that occur with non-adoptees.

And I must admit I am skeptical of the assertion by seemingly most of these critics that a new Federal program or subsidy is the answer.

This was an interesting statement from a Federal government official: "A lot of people say they have a heart for adoption. But you also have to have a head for it." [the Obama administration's point person on international adoptions] said. "You think love will solve everything. It doesn't." True, feelings of love aren't sufficient for an adoption; however, feelings of love--manifested in commitment and sacrifice and not measurable by dollars and cents, are essential for adoptions to work.

Embryo Frozen for 19 Years Adopted

Embryo Frozen for 19 Years Adopted Interesting to consider obligations and "opportunities" inherent in the process of creating life for IVF.