Adoptive Mom's Summer Survival Kit
Donation protected
[Hi, my name is Dann--I'm setting this up for my wife.]
Last summer our family moved back to the States after 13 years in China. We barely survived that season of life due to difficulties with our recently adopted son.
This summer my wonderful and capable wife faces a long, difficult time of it once again. But, due to my new job with no vacation days, she'll be largely on her own.
Which is where you come in.
Perhaps your family has a heart for adoption but hasn't ever done it yourselves. Perhaps you feel compassion for broken, traumatized children but don't currently have any in your own life. We do! And we need help raising them! Coming back from China due to adoption has upended everything about our lives. Here at home we haven't yet found employment that covers our needs, and so Tammy's summer looms more daunting than ever.
Wouldn't it be nice if those that loved her made it possible for her to plan some fun things that cost a little money rather than only those that are free? Trust me, there will be hours upon hours of those, too. Many of them are already planned. School will let out June 23, but I could already look up what's for lunch and for supper and to be done on August 22, for instance. (Many adoptive kids need lots of scheduling to feel safe (not to mention keep their moms from going questions-insane).)
As a side note, let me tell you what Tammy has been doing with most of her free time. Her original plan this year was to substitute teach 1-2 days a week. Instead, she's started an adoptive/foster family support group (a long-time dream) called The Vine. Then, most every time she's prayed about doing more subbing (= $) and less of The Vine (= no $)… she's felt distinctly nudged in the opposite direction.
She spends 10-15 hours every week organizing and developing ways to encourage, equip, and give respite to other adoptive and foster families struggling through things like we do. The Vine currently:
-serves nearly 20 adults and 33 kids in our local Oswego, NY area
-provides monthly parenting/attachment training
-organizes meal trains for those taking in new foster children
-hosts a weekly FAMILY small group time
-facilitates family-building activities and outings
-offers one-on-one parent coaching
-reaches 60 Facebook group members with weekly parenting advice, encouragement, and resources
Simply put, Tammy gives.
Sacrificially. Creatively. Selflessly. Repeately.
Would all you who know and love her consider giving something back to her?
I will commit to pray for her summer while at work each day from 8 to 5, and you could commit to treating her to one of (or a portion of) the things below:
-Home Lunch for 1 week, Everett: $10 (With NY's reduced school lunch program, this is an expense we don't currently have. 11 weeks for 6 kids = $660)
-Bowling shoe rental for 6 kids (for free game coupons we have): $15 (Going bowling 5x, or every other week, shoe rental = $75.)
-1 day of very-discounted tutoring for Everett: $20 (He will be pushed to middle school this fall but is just now hitting a second grade reading level. Our 2 hr/day plan for summer tutoring = $600.)
-a Family Pool Pass: $55
-a Family Zoo Pass: $75
1 week of Art Camp, Everett: $145
1 week of Basketball Camp, Everett + 1 sibling: $180
1 week of Animal/Bible Camp, Everett + 3 siblings: $580
Be blessed!
We are, regardless of what comes in.
Last summer our family moved back to the States after 13 years in China. We barely survived that season of life due to difficulties with our recently adopted son.
This summer my wonderful and capable wife faces a long, difficult time of it once again. But, due to my new job with no vacation days, she'll be largely on her own.
Which is where you come in.
Perhaps your family has a heart for adoption but hasn't ever done it yourselves. Perhaps you feel compassion for broken, traumatized children but don't currently have any in your own life. We do! And we need help raising them! Coming back from China due to adoption has upended everything about our lives. Here at home we haven't yet found employment that covers our needs, and so Tammy's summer looms more daunting than ever.
Wouldn't it be nice if those that loved her made it possible for her to plan some fun things that cost a little money rather than only those that are free? Trust me, there will be hours upon hours of those, too. Many of them are already planned. School will let out June 23, but I could already look up what's for lunch and for supper and to be done on August 22, for instance. (Many adoptive kids need lots of scheduling to feel safe (not to mention keep their moms from going questions-insane).)
As a side note, let me tell you what Tammy has been doing with most of her free time. Her original plan this year was to substitute teach 1-2 days a week. Instead, she's started an adoptive/foster family support group (a long-time dream) called The Vine. Then, most every time she's prayed about doing more subbing (= $) and less of The Vine (= no $)… she's felt distinctly nudged in the opposite direction.
She spends 10-15 hours every week organizing and developing ways to encourage, equip, and give respite to other adoptive and foster families struggling through things like we do. The Vine currently:
-serves nearly 20 adults and 33 kids in our local Oswego, NY area
-provides monthly parenting/attachment training
-organizes meal trains for those taking in new foster children
-hosts a weekly FAMILY small group time
-facilitates family-building activities and outings
-offers one-on-one parent coaching
-reaches 60 Facebook group members with weekly parenting advice, encouragement, and resources
Simply put, Tammy gives.
Sacrificially. Creatively. Selflessly. Repeately.
Would all you who know and love her consider giving something back to her?
I will commit to pray for her summer while at work each day from 8 to 5, and you could commit to treating her to one of (or a portion of) the things below:
-Home Lunch for 1 week, Everett: $10 (With NY's reduced school lunch program, this is an expense we don't currently have. 11 weeks for 6 kids = $660)
-Bowling shoe rental for 6 kids (for free game coupons we have): $15 (Going bowling 5x, or every other week, shoe rental = $75.)
-1 day of very-discounted tutoring for Everett: $20 (He will be pushed to middle school this fall but is just now hitting a second grade reading level. Our 2 hr/day plan for summer tutoring = $600.)
-a Family Pool Pass: $55
-a Family Zoo Pass: $75
1 week of Art Camp, Everett: $145
1 week of Basketball Camp, Everett + 1 sibling: $180
1 week of Animal/Bible Camp, Everett + 3 siblings: $580
Be blessed!
We are, regardless of what comes in.
Organizer
Dann Johnson
Organizer
Oswego, NY
