Welcome
Navigate the Complexities of Adoption
With An Adoptee-Centered Focus , Build a Better Life for Your Entire Family
About Deliberate Families
WHO
We are guided by adoptee-focused members of the global adoption community, which allows us to effectively address the complexities of adoption today. Adoption can present many confusing and sometimes conflicting choices for adoptees, as well as for birth and adoptive family members. At Deliberate Families, we prioritize an adoptee-centered approach. We encourage all members of adoptees' extended families—from birth families to adoptive families—to build meaningful relationships with one another and with the adoptee. We believe this fosters connections that honor the unique experiences of each individual within what we refer to as a wide-net, "Deliberate Family."
why Deliberate Families
Adoption Constellation Gifts & Challenges
Adoption Constellation Gifts & Challenges
Family relationships are complex. When adoption is in the mix, it is akin to family dynamics on steroids. While much good and bad info abounds online, finding what you need when you need it is time-consuming and filled with false starts. Deliberate Families gets you what you need faster.
Adoption Trauma Realities
Adoption Constellation Gifts & Challenges
Science and adoptee voices now confirm that adoption trauma is real, whether a child is adopted at birth or as a teenager. It will manifest slightly or significantly depending on a number of factors. The adoption industry has begun to recognize this reality. Deliberate Families does not replace therapy; if needed, rather, it provides self-assessments and resources that save time and dollars for those who can't afford much of either. It's a good starting place.
Every Adoption Is Unique
While each adoptee's journey and set of family relationships are unique, there are common themes and dynamics that emerge along the way. Deliberate Families augments information you may have received before or at placement that will better equip you as a family member -- whether by birth or via adoption, no matter how much time has elapsed since placement. Birthparent and adoptive parent relationships need good bridges and fences.
Key Points Along the Lifelong Journey
Key Points Along the Lifelong Journey
An adoptee's development journey is not the same as a child who is raised with their natural parents. New development models are emerging. The journeys are not better or worse -- but they are different. Adoptees need to feel seen, heard, valued, and to own their origin story. It's easier said than done. Deliberate Families is created to help family members break adoptees' sense of aloneness.
Respect, Safety, and Confidentiality
Key Points Along the Lifelong Journey
Respect, Safety, and Confidentiality
Charter members will be especially helpful in the development of our membership software. Deliberate Families is designed with respect, safety, and confidentiality of every family member and adoptee. Your feedback on experiences and preferences will be essential as we slowly roll out our capabilities. We are launching with software used by thousands of membership organizations, but we still want your feedback.
Adoption Industry Reform Advocacy
Key Points Along the Lifelong Journey
Respect, Safety, and Confidentiality
Deliberate Families is not a nonprofit, nor is it a lobbying organization. However, we will be calling out needed reform and advocacy actions that we see, so that you can participate. We hope to someday make contributions to those efforts. For now, we want to become economically self-sustaining and not beholden to big donors with their agendas. Adoptees and former foster youth will also be given preference in hiring. If possible, we'll make it a requirement.
how we work
Self Assessments
You select the appropriate, quick assessment questionnaires based on where you are in your relationships, what hurdles or opportunities you have, what hats you wear in the constellation, and more. They are designed to encourage you to move forward or identify next steps you may want to consider for action within yourself or with others.
Resources
We offer curated information on the most important and trustworthy research, information on new models of adoptee development and parenting, reviews and summaries of the critical adoption-related books, podcasts, and documentaries, links to other therapeutic directories, and more.
Hot Topics
Relevant blogs and articles on key adoption issues will be featured and regularly updated, along with announcements of upcoming events highlighting adoption issues.
Advocacy and Reform Information
Industry reforms are increasing in each state. When they can be boosted by various members of the adoption community, we want to lend communication assistance when appropriate..
charter member information
Let's Get Started
Take the first step, and sign up for more information on becoming a Charter Member in this new community, which brings the best resources, the latest and most significant research on adoption, the trending discussions customized for your role(s) in your adoption family constellation, and fights for systemic reform across the global adoption industrial complex. Charter Members will be instrumental in determining our membership benefit features and priorities going forward.
Deliberate Families
Hours (Eastern Standard Time)
Open today | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
