Book Review: Somewhere Sisters & Daughters of the Bamboo Grove

On August 3, 2025July 27, 2025 By lynellelongIn Adoptee vulnerability, Adoption Agencies, Adoption Book, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, adoption reform, Adoptive parents silence on illegal adoptions, Alternatives to Adoption, Birth family trauma, Birth mother choices, Birth Parents Searching, Birth parents speak out, China, China, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Family Preservation, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Religion and Adoption, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Trauma in Adoption, Twins in adoption, USA, VietnamLeave a comment

Lynelle reviews Somewhere Sisters and Daughters of the Bamboo Grove, exploring identity, nature vs. nurture, and the truths of twins separated by intercountry adoption.

The need for a national investigation into the role of the Australian governments in our intercountry adoption history

On April 1, 2025March 31, 2025 By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Adoptee Activism, Adoption Agencies, adoption reform, Adoption Research, Adoptive parents, Adoptive parents silence on illegal adoptions, Australia, Birth family trauma, Chile, China, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, DNA Searching, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Grief and Loss, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Is adoption the best option, Korea, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Origins Search, Philippines, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Reparation in Adoption, Return to Birth Country, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRC, Vietnam, What is an Illegal and Illicit Adoption?Leave a comment

Lynelle discusses why its time to investigate the past of Australia's intercountry adoptions and look into the role our governments have played.

Why I am relieved that China terminated its adoption program

On January 31, 2025January 31, 2025 By Guest BloggerIn Adoptee vulnerability, adoption reform, Adoption Research, Birth Parents Searching, China, China, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Generational trauma, Grief and Loss, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Racism in Adoption, Rights in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, The Netherlands, Transracial Adoption, Uncategorized1 Comment

Cindy shares her thoughts as a Chinese adoptee about the closure of China's intercountry adoption program announced late 2024.

Addressing Sexual Abuse in Intercountry Adoption

On November 18, 2024October 8, 2025 By lynellelongIn Abuse in Adoption, Adoptee Anger, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Agencies, Adoption Discharge Annulment, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, adoption reform, Adoption Research, Adoptive parents, Alternatives to Adoption, Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Ecuador, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Gratitude in Adoption, Is adoption the best option, Korea, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Philippines, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Puerto Rico, Racism in Adoption, Religion and Adoption, Rights in Adoption, Romania, Russia, Sense of Belonging, Sexual Abuse in Adoption, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Suicide, Taiwan, The Netherlands, Therapy, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, USA, VietnamLeave a comment

ICAVs newest Perspective Paper on Sexual Abuse experiences of intercountry adoptees helping to elevate their voices and advocate for much needed supports.

What do I want from my adoptive parents?

On October 3, 2024October 4, 2024 By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Adoptee Activism, Adoptee Anger, Adoptee support provided by adoptees, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Agencies, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, adoption reform, Adoptive parents, Adoptive parents silence on illegal adoptions, Australia, Belgium, China, China, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Denmark, Difficult discussions in adoption, France, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, India, Is adoption the best option, Italy, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Norway, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Reparation in Adoption, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Therapy, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, UN Joint Statement Illegal Adoption, Uncategorized, USALeave a comment

Lynelle shares what she would have wanted from her adoptive parents in response to the fraud and human rights abuses in her adoption.

How I feel about the end of Chinese intercountry adoption

On September 21, 2024September 20, 2024 By Guest BloggerIn Adoption Agencies, Adoptive parents, Birth Country, China, China, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption1 Comment

Meredith shares the range of emotions she is experiencing since the announcement by China, her birth country, that all intercountry adoptions will stop.

Tips and Suggestions for Returning to Birth Country

On July 20, 2024July 17, 2024 By lynellelongIn Adoptees Educate, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, China, Colombia, Denmark, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Hong Kong, Importance of Connections to Origins, India, Iran, Korea, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, New Zealand, Norway, Origins Search, Peer Support, Return to Birth Country, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, The Netherlands, Transracial Adoption, UK, USA, VietnamLeave a comment

ICAVs newest Perspective Paper offering global tips and suggestions for those considering returning for the first time to their birth country.

Reflections on Returning Home Part 3

On July 5, 2024June 11, 2024 By Guest BloggerIn Adoptees Educate, China, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Importance of Connections to Origins, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Origins Search, Return to Birth Country, Sense of Belonging, Transracial Adoption, USALeave a comment

Emma shares her reflections as a Chinese intercountry adoptee having lived in China as a MSW student at NYU Shanghai.

Reflections on Returning Home Part 2

On June 30, 2024June 11, 2024 By Guest BloggerIn Adoptee Activism, Adoptee support provided by adoptees, Adoptees Educate, China, China, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Diversity in Adoption, Importance of Connections to Origins, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Origins Search, Return to Birth Country, Sense of Belonging, Transracial Adoption, USALeave a comment

Emma shares her reflections as a Chinese intercountry adoptee having lived in China as a MSW student at NYU Shanghai.

Reflections on Returning Home Part 1

On June 25, 2024June 11, 2024 By Guest BloggerIn Adoptee vulnerability, China, China, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Importance of Connections to Origins, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Origins Search, Sense of Belonging, Transracial Adoption, USALeave a comment

Emma shares her reflections as a Chinese intercountry adoptee having lived in China as a MSW student at NYU Shanghai.

USA Virtual Fair

On June 11, 2024June 12, 2024 By lynellelongIn Adjustment and Transition, Adoptee Activism, Adoptee Search Service Orgs, Adoptee support provided by adoptees, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, China, Citizenship in Adoption, Colombia, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Diversity in Adoption, Ethiopia, Greece, Grief and Loss, Importance of Connections to Origins, Korea, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Lived experience leadership, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Peer Support, Racial Mirrors, Return to Birth Country, Sense of Belonging, South Korea, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, USA, VietnamLeave a comment

Lynelle shares the recording of the USA Virtual Fair held on 1 June 2024 showcasing 20 intercountry adoptee led organisation who provide support to adoptees.

To the Parents I don’t Know

On May 18, 2024April 24, 2024 By lynellelongIn Adoptee Artists, Adoptee Artwork, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, China, Complexities in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, UK1 Comment

Meredith shares her song to express the many complex feelings she has for her Chinese parents whom she doesn't know and has lost since being adopted to the UK.

I don’t know

On April 21, 2024April 21, 2024 By lynellelongIn Adoptee Artists, Adoptee Artwork, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, China, China, Grief and Loss, Importance of Connections to Origins, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, The Netherlands, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Xanne-Li shares her music written to express some of the heartache and pain of not knowing as an intercountry adoptee from China.

UK Intercountry Adoptees Webinar

On February 23, 2023January 21, 2024 By lynellelongIn Adoptees Educate, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, Brazil, China, Diversity in Adoption, Ecuador, Grief and Loss, Hong Kong, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Origins Search, Return to Birth Country, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sri Lanka, UKLeave a comment

ICAV UK shares a panel of intercountry adoptee answers to questions asked by UK adoptive parents from AdoptionUK via a webinar run on 30 Jan 2023.

Olivia Atkocaitis is not just a tabloid headline

On February 18, 2023January 21, 2024 By Guest BloggerIn Abuse in Adoption, China, Gratitude in Adoption, USALeave a comment

Maya challenges us to see beyond the tabloids and to give adoptees their space to represent themselves and be heard with their authentic real voices.

Sensitively Responding to Fears of Abandonment

On February 14, 2023January 21, 2024 By Guest BloggerIn Abandonment and Rejection, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, China, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Religion and Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, USALeave a comment

Lyla shares an awesome way her adoptive parents assisted her with abandonment fears - a rational fear all adoptees have borne out of losing their first family.

Navigating Disability and Rare Medical Conditions as an Intercountry Adoptee

On December 15, 2022January 21, 2024 By lynellelongIn Adoptee support provided by adoptees, Adoptees Educate, Adoption and Disability, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, Australia, China, Complexities in Adoption, Diversity in Adoption, Iran, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Rights in Adoption, Special Medical Conditions, Sri Lanka, Suicide, Therapy, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, USA, VietnamLeave a comment

What complex issues do intercountry adoptees living with disability and or a rare disease navigate? We have created a resource to help educate on this topic.

Grief in Adoption

On November 30, 2022January 21, 2024 By Guest BloggerIn Adoptees Educate, China, Complexities in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Importance of Connections to Origins, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Return to Birth Country, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, USALeave a comment

Cosette shares deep feelings of grief during her life, coming to terms with all she's lost and might never know. Being adopted means living deep grief.

One Adoptee’s Thoughts on the UN Joint Statement on Illegal Intercountry Adoptions

On October 29, 2022January 21, 2024 By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Adoptee Activism, Adoptees Educate, adoption reform, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Denmark, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Family Preservation, France, Germany, Greece, Grief and Loss, Haiti, Hong Kong, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Iran, Is adoption the best option, Korea, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, New Zealand, Norway, Origins Search, Philippines, Rights in Adoption, Romania, Russia, Search and Reunion in Adoption, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, Uganda, UK, UN Joint Statement Illegal Adoption, USA, Vietnam, What is an Illegal and Illicit Adoption?4 Comments

Lynelle shares her thoughts on the UN Joint Statement on Illegal Intercountry Adoption.

Gabby Malpas on Racism

On May 12, 2022February 2, 2024 By Guest BloggerIn Adoptee Artists, Adoptee Artwork, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, China, colourblindness in adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, New Zealand, Politics of Adoption, Racial Mirrors, Racism in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Suicide, Therapy, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Gabby shares with adoptive parents about racism as part of ICAVs submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission's National Anti-Racism Framework consult.