If you’re expecting a newborn, you’ll have no trouble finding list after list of dozens of “must-have” necessities. But for families adopting a toddler or older child, how do you prepare? Get out your pen and paper (or just hit the print button) because we have the information you’re searching for.

Do a little research

Whether you are adopting domestically or internationally, try to ask questions about the types of foods your child likes, whether they are eating table food or jarred baby foods, what kind of schedule they may be on, what size clothing they wear, and what toys they favor.

If you are adopting internationally, research some of the foods you child may be accustomed to eating.  By providing foods he/she recognizes you may be able to ease the transition to a new country. You may also want to buy prepackaged snack foods or treats your child enjoys while you are in his/her country.

Start with the necessities

Your child will need a place to sleep. Children under the age of 2 will likely be comfortable in a crib. From for small toddlers a toddler bed that uses a crib mattress will provide adequate space without the enclosure of a crib. For older children consider a twin or full-sized bed.

Beyond sleeping arrangements, you’ll need to think about feeding your child. Many young children who have grown up in an orphanage or group home, may be delayed in some skills—including feeding themselves. If you child still uses a bottle or sippy cup, you’ll want to stock up on these. You’ll also need bowls and spoons with soft tips for feeding. You may want to invest in some large bibs until your child grows accustomed to feeding himself.

You’ll also need season appropriate clothing. Don’t go overboard and buy an entire wardrobe. Buy some basics—jeans, shorts, tshirts and a jacket if it’s cold weather. Children under 3 may not be very particular about their clothing but older children may prefer to pick out their own clothing. Also keep in mind that some adopted children grow very quickly once they are in a stable, nurturing environment.

Child proof your home

Children are curious by nature. They like to open doors, pull things out of drawers and investigate. Keep your child safe and your valuables out of harms way by doing some child proofing ahead of time. Cover all outlets. Put cabinet locks on any low cabinets that may have cleaning chemicals or breakable items. Place family heirlooms out of reach.

You can always invite over friends with young children for a couple of hours, they will definitely find what you forgot!

Move on to the fun stuff

Children learn by playing. Keep in mind that some children who have been in foster care or orphanages may be delayed with social, emotional and learning skills. Pay attention to the age rating on toys and stay within or one group younger than the age of the child you are adopting.

Great toys to consider include puzzles, board books, stuff animals, cars and trucks, balls, building toys, dress up clothes and outdoor toys. Be careful to avoid toys that might be easily swallowed.

Healthcare

Choose gentle children’s soaps with mild scents. Your child will already be in an unfamiliar place with many new sights and smells. Reduce overstimulation by keeping bathtime simple. Your child may also have skin allergies or irritations to certain soaps. If you are adopting a child from another ethnicity, research what types of skin and hair products they will need.

Make an appointment to talk to a local pediatrician. Ask about what types of medicines you will need to have on hand. The stress of all the new changes in your child’s life may lead to headaches or stomaches. Be prepared with the right medications and dosing instructions.

Make a list

Most expectant parents will create baby registries where their family and friends can help them to purchase the items they need. Don’t be afraid to create your own gift registry including many of these items listed. You can keep track of what you’ve purchased and what remains to be purchased and your family and friends will know how to help.

James 1:27. We love to quote it as one of the “foundations” of Christianity. Quoting is fun. Quoting does not cost us anything. Quoting, without action, is something many of us are really good at.

“…visiting the fatherless…” You send an offering to the Children’s Home. You give to your local church trusting that your offering is used to by food, clothing and perhaps help educate a child in a far-off land…or even down the street in America.

Do you KNOW where the orphan home is in your community? Perhaps it’s called a “shelter,” a “residential group home,” or even “the Mansion” as we call it in ours. Have you visited the children in the home? Have you really looked into their eyes and asked, “Lord, what would you have me do?”

How about getting on a flight, traveling 20+ hours and visiting the New Beginnings of Nepal Children’s Home? Ten children in the midst of a “reported” 900,000 orphans (please see my previous “143 million…” blog). You CAN impact the lives of 10 orphans (please e-mail Development@NewBeginningsAdoptions.org for more information).

What about ADOPTING one of the orphans from Nepal (or Vietnam)? Pardon the language, but it “ain’t gonna happen” because the U.S. Government, UNICEF and other forces do not want it to happen. The orphans in Nepal, Vietnam and many other countries are just STUCK, STUCK, STUCK and STUCK. The argument against adoption from Nepal is that it is “there is corruptness and fraud in Nepali adoptions.”

Ever been to Kathmandu? Ever visited an orphan home there? Every look at the paper ledgers that hold the names of the children in care? Ever walk up the crooked stairs in the dilapidated Ministry building (the main office for social welfare in Nepal)? The TRUTH is that the State Department and others do not want adoptions to happen. You will hear arguments about the Hague cleaning things up, and Nepal signing onto the Hague, and lots of other official-speak.

You will never hear about the U.S. spending a few dollars to  help the Nepali Ministry staff improve their system. Why? Because it seems that we would rather have thousands of girls and boys enter the sex trade, enter the criminal world and be trafficked rather than be freed for adoption in Christian homes…perhaps the “Christian” part is really the problem?

So HAVE YOU VISITED Nepal, Haiti or any other country to spend a little time with the ORPHANS? Remember James 1:27?

You have an opportunity to GET INVOLVED and to make a difference in your community. THERE IS A REAL, TANGIBLE WAY TO HELP TODAY. You can help move the “Stuck” campaign ahead by getting involved.

Please visit www.BothEndsBurning.org. Sign up as one of the 1,000,000 U.S. citizens who want something to change. Get involved by “visiting the orphans” through one of the greatest and best organized CAUSES for New Beginnings and for “new beginnings” for children in American history.

What will your part be? Please take action now!

Russian Federation Council Sends Ban on Adoption to President Vladimir Putin

December 26, 2012 – The Russian Federation Council, the upper parliamentary house, has unanimously passed a bill that proposes a ban on adoption of Russian orphans by United States citizens. The bill has been sent to President Vladimir Putin for his signature.

“If President Putin chooses to sign this bill it will close adoption to American citizens. A ban on Russian adoptions would be heartbreaking for the many thousands of children outside of family care who are languishing in Russian institutions. After much time, effort, and goodwill between Russian and American actors to negotiate the new Intercountry Adoption Agreement that took effect in November, it would be a great injustice to destroy their work and children’s hope for a family before we’ve been able to see the positive results that we believe are on the way,” says Lauren Koch of National Council For Adoption.

If President Putin signs this bill into law, he effectively strips the hope of family from thousands of Russian orphans that may have found their way to a family in the United States. About 60,000 Russian children have found safety, stability, and the opportunity to thrive in American families.

One shining example is a young man named Sasha D’Jamoos. Sasha was born in Russia with a disability that left him unable to walk. Since joining his American family he received surgery, learned to skillfully use prosthetics, and has climbed Kilimanjaro. He is also thriving as a University student.

As part of his Voice of the Child campaign, Sasha has written a letter pleading with President Putin not to sign this bill into law. A draft of this letter will be delivered to the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. today, Wednesday, December 26th at 3:00 pm EST by adoptees and adoption advocates (Contact Dima Fasolyak to attend the event). You can join Sasha’s Voice of the Child campaign by signing his letter asking President Putin to act compassionately and preserve adoption between Russia and the United States. To sign Sasha’s letter, click here.

“There is terrible irony in the fact that America’s decision to speak out against human rights violations may cause the Russian government to deny many thousands of Russian orphans the possibility to grow up in loving, adoptive families,” says Chuck Johnson, president and CEO of National Council For Adoption. “The plight of orphaned children worldwide, so many of whom spend their young lives in institutions, is itself a violation of every child’s right to a safe, nurturing, and permanent family. Often inadequately cared for, lacking in love and security, deprived of necessary education, healthcare, and support, too many orphaned children either die in institutions or ‘age out’ into a world in which they continue to suffer the harshest of injustices, alone and without a voice.”

On behalf of the tens of thousands of children whose human right to a family will be violated if this law is passed, the National Council For Adoption calls on Congress, President Barack Obama, and President Putin to act now and act compassionately. “As advocates for children who know and believe that intercountry adoption is in the best interest of many children, we humbly plead with President Putin and Russian officials to consider how this intercountry adoption ban could hurt Russia’s voiceless orphaned children” says Chuck Johnson.