[tinkerbell11599]

Hi all,

I wanted to tell you about a wonderful conference for Korean adoptees, adoptive parents, social workers and more. It’s called the KAAN (Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Family Network) Conference and their 10th annual conference is being held in Chicago at the Wyndham O’Hare starting July 18th and going to July 20th for more information about the conference go to KAAN Conference Home Page.

They have various sessions going on for the adult adoptees (see KAAN Conference Adult Adoptee Sessions for the young adult adoptees aged 18 to 21 and the adult adoptees over age 21). The kids and teens have their own program while you attend your sessions (see KAAN Conference Kids & Teen Schedule for the Kids program and Teen program). It doesn’t matter if you have young kids like I have (4 year old, 2 3/4 year old, and a 15 month old) or older ones or just starting out in the process with a referral since you still will find something to take away from the conference. For me, I loved the sessions on the First Mother and the Q&A with the adult adoptees. This year’s conference looks spectacular again…just check out the schedule for it at KAAN Conference Schedule. My husband, Jeff, went to the sessions that interested him. It’s a great way for adoptees or parents to network as well I found. You don’t need to sign up for which sessions you want to attend ahead of time which I found to be really nice.

BUT in order to go to this wonderful conference and get it at the reduced registration rate, you need to get your registration in by May 31st. So head to KAAN Conference Registration Form and follow their simple directions. Jeff and I registered for the full conference last year and I’m so glad that we did since we both got something out of it. Please don’t be late, register and attend this conference…you’ll get something out of it. We certainly did.

Jen

[jojo13551122]

We just submitted our pw for our first Korean adoption. But we live in Chicago. Are there any sessions that you think would benefit us? It seems this may be more beneficial to people that have already adopted.

[tinkerbell11599]

Joanna,

This conference is for everyone touched by adoption. I was nervous that I wouldn't get anything out of it but I did and so did my husband.

Here's some suggested sessions that I went to last year that I can recommend or sound like they would be beneficial to you as a prospective adoptive parent:

More Than Just Love - A Dad's Transcultural Adoption Story - (All Adults and Teens)--Went to at last year's conference and DH and I got alot out it

Growing up in a Multicultural but Racialized Society: Challenges for Korean Adoptees and Their Parents - (All Adults)--happens at the same time as the previous one listed but also looks very good

Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao's keynote speech during Saturday morning's breakfast looks good as well

Understanding Attachment Disorder - (All Attendees)--This session is being done by our social worker. We have had attachment issues with our son and she was a godsend to us during the 3 months struggle with attachment issues (attachment issues only with me) after his arrival. It would help you understand what might occur and how to look for the signs of attachment issues and how to help your child.

Meeting a Korean Birthmother - (All Attendees) --this one alone is worth going to the KAAN conference IMHO. I chatted with a domestic First Mom last year and there wasn't a dry eye in the place after she described what she goes through on a daily basis. Listening to her talk and describe what she has gone through still affects me to this day.

Father's Dialogue - (Adoptive Father's Only) --this one looks like it would be a good one to attend as well

An Interactive Discussion Among Adult Adoptees and Parents - (All Attendees) --was standing room only last year...it's a Q&A session with the adult adoptees. Ask your questions of the adult adoptees and listen to their responses. Even though you are a prospective parent it'll give you some insight into adoption. Mark Hagland spoke at last year's session and mentioned a bunch of stuff that we are implementing even with kids as young as mine are (4, 2 3/4, and 15 1/2 months old).

Beyond Celebration - The Experience of Being an Adoptive Parent - (Adoptive Parents Only) --gives you an idea of what it's like to be an adoptive parent...this sounds really good to me.

How Parents Can Help Their Children Build an Ethnic Identity - (All Attendees) --for us we have Korea items in our home and not just in the kids room either...it's on TV through Korean children's videos, Korean music, norigaes in our family room, and more. We have Korean food (chicken bulgogi, mandu, jook, ssam, seasoned mung bean sprouts, Korean cookies, and more). We shop at the Korean food market. We attend our local Korean Cultural Camp (Camp Mu Ji Gae) as a family and invite our parents and siblings to attend it as well.

That's just suggested list to those of you who are prospective parents who are wondering if you should attend this conference or not. Or even those of you who have young adopted kids like I do will benefit from the sessions that I have suggested.

Jen