Belonging. It’s a basic human need. We all crave it, and many kids find it among their peers as they visit their birth country. Remember Maslow’s famous hierarchy of needs theory? If you’re a little rusty on that, here are the Cliff Notes. Maslow held that people must have basic needs like food, water, safety, BELONGING and self esteem met … Read More
What’s Your Story: Writing Contest Sneak Peak
What’s Your Story? WRITING CONTEST (sneak peak!) For more than 20 years, adoptive families and Ties staff have traveled the world with The Ties Program. We have had amazing experiences. We all have stories to tell. Some are touching. Some are funny. Some are sad, or one of a million other adjectives. This writing contest will focus on: Heritage Travel … Read More
Birth Country Travel: Language & Identity
Birth Country Travel: Language & Identity This is part 3 in a series on international adoption and identity. For most kids on a homeland journey, language and the ability to communicate is an immediate piece of how they see themselves. Very few are able to speak in their birth language. As a result, their first interaction with people in their … Read More
Identity: Do Adoptees Need to Know The Past?
About This Article Series This is the first in a series of articles on identity building and international adoption. Over the past 20 years, we have learned a LOT about what is important to adoptees as they take the giant step of visiting their birth country. We hope you enjoy the series from Adoptive Family Travel by The Ties Program … Read More