Tuesday Giveaway Link Up 11/30

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Welcome to Tuesday's Giveaway Link Up with your hosts Karen @ Tots and Me, Emily @ Emily Reviews, Shelly @ The Attic Girl, and Rena @ An Ordinary Housewife.

So glad you could join us as we share our giveaways. 

This link up will be posted Monday at 7 PM est. and run all week long! Stop in as often as you can to list your latest giveaways.

Here is how to use the Giveaway Link Up

1. Post your reviews and/or giveaways, as many as you have, be sure to add the end date (family friendly please)

2. Help spread the word about the giveaway link up by grabbing our button, Tweeting or posting on Facebook. (Not mandatory- but it helps get more exposure to your giveaways as well!)

3. Take a moment to enter any giveaway that strikes an interest to you!

If you would  like to follow the  hostesses, we will gladly follow you back! Simply leave us a message to do so.

Featured Giveaways

Suffragette Movie Prize Pack US only Ends 12/7

$25 Amazon Gift Card US only Ends 12/7

$200 Paypal Worldwide Ends 12/10

Thank you for linking up with Karen @ Tots and Me, Emily @ Emily Reviews, Shelly @ The Attic Girl, and Rena @ An Ordinary Housewife.

An InLinkz Link-up

Hydra Skin Sciences & Apple Watch Giveaway #TurnBackTheClock #MomBuzz

 



Welcome to the Apple Watch and Hydra Skin Sciences Giveaway!   We have an awesome prize pack for you to win this holiday season!

Sometimes don’t we all wish we can just turn back time? Keeping up with day to day activities and responsibilities takes a heavy toll and you blink your eyes and ten years have simply disappeared -- just like that! 

In its place are fine lines, wrinkles, and even a few gray hairs peeking out. There is no magical way to completely stop the aging process and stay 21 forever and that is okay. Embrace who you are and your accomplishments. Growing older is a beautiful process, but I bet if you knew you could reverse the signs of aging without surgery or injections…you would be anxious to learn more…  

Hydra Skin Sciences combines the simultaneous action of Snow Algae Powder, six powerful peptides (including Matrixyl 3000, Argireline and Syn-Ake), Vitamin C, with the ultimate moisturizer Hyaluronic Acid. The unique combination of Hyaluronic Acid and Snow Algae Powder gives maximum absorption of vital nutrients into the deepest layers of your skin. 

Restore your youthful appearance, dramatically reduce the appearance of wrinkles and tighten sagging skin and magically turn back time!   First, Hydra Skin Sciences offers Allegro, a powerful new anti-aging cream developed by a team of expert scientists at some of the most prestigious laboratories in the world. This specially formulated cream helps rapidly reduce the fine lines and wrinkles that are just part of getting older. 

Results that had once only been possible with cosmetic surgery or painful injections is now available over-the-counter at a remarkably affordable price. Hydra Skin Sciences also offers Brio, an anti-aging serum for daytime and nighttime use, that has been described as a “face-lift in a box”. If you want radiant, glowing skin for life, Allegro Anti-aging Cream and Brio Day & Night Serum, is the closest to the fountain of youth as you are likely going to get!

 

Hydra Skin Sciences has sponsored this awesome giveaway! One lucky winner will receive the Brio Day & Night Serum, the Allegro AntiAging Cream AND an Apple Watch sport! Total Prize package is valued at over $550!

Good Luck! Share this Giveaway with your friends and use hashtag #TurnBackTheClock

Doozers Giant Gingerbread House DVD #sponsored #doozers

I received a Doozers Giant Gingerbread House DVD & kit for review.  All opinions are my own.

Do you remember those adorable little creatures from Fraggle Rock called the Doozers?  They have their own animated series on Hulu!  Just in time for the holidays, the Jim Henson company and NCircle Entertainment have released some of these episodes on DVD:  Doozers: Giant Gingerbread House.

 

 Welcome to Doozer Creek where the Doozers live! They're green. They're cute. They're three inches tall and they're full of energy, ideas, and enthusiasm! It's family time at Doozer Creek! The Pod Squad want to build a Doozer-sized Gingerbread House! However, in order to achieve such a large size Gingerbread House it's going to take some clever construction to create. Can the Pod Squad do it? Then, Daisy Wheel wants to ice skate with the others, but she doesn't know how. Together, the Pod Squad build her a custom Doo-Step Skating Dress that lets her glide across the ice in no time. Weee! Enjoy these adventures and six more focusing on science, technology, engineering and math!


We recently participated in a viewing party where we made our own gingerbread house, read Doozers:  Stick With It, and then watched the DVD.  It was a great #DoozersParty weekend!

It's been a while since we've made a gingerbread house, but we had so much fun!  AK and her daddy did most of the construction and I helped with the decorating while little sister AB watched.  The candy was our favorite part (we munched while we decorated!).

Our gingerbread house turned out great!  This was the perfect way to get us in the holiday spirit as we enjoyed making a new holiday tradition and watching the Doozers.  

This is a fun holiday themed DVD your family can enjoy together!


Check out Doozers on Hulu and find some fun activities and games at http://doozers.com/.


Giveaway: 

One reader will win Doozers and the Giant Gingerbread House on DVD 

Just use the Giveaway Tools form below.  You must be a US resident 18 or older to enter.  You must complete each task entirely or your entries will not count.  

This giveaway is not in any way associated with or endorsed by Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or Twitter.  Giveaway Ends 12/8/15 at  12 Noon EST.  US Residents **18 and older** only may enter. One entry per household and IP address.  Winner will be drawn using random.org and will have **48 hrs** to respond to email or another winner will be chosen. Entries are verified.  No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.  The Attic Girl is not responsible/liable for prize delivery.  By entering this giveaway, you agree to the Giveaway terms/rules.

Disclosure:  I received a Doozers DVD & kit for review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.  Sponsor is providing the giveaway prize. For more info. see my Disclosure Policy.

Tuesday Giveaway Link Up 11/23

<a href=" http://totsandme.blogspot.com/search/label/Tuesday%20Giveaway%20Linky "><img alt="Tots and Me" src="http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt58/kewkewphoto/TuesdayGiveawayLinkup2.jpg" border="0" alt="num2"></a>

Welcome to Tuesday's Giveaway Link Up with your hosts Karen @ Tots and Me, Emily @ Emily Reviews, Shelly @ The Attic Girl, and Rena @ An Ordinary Housewife.

So glad you could join us as we share our giveaways. 

This link up will be posted Monday at 7 PM est. and run all week long! Stop in as often as you can to list your latest giveaways.

Here is how to use the Giveaway Link Up

1. Post your reviews and/or giveaways, as many as you have, be sure to add the end date (family friendly please)

2. Help spread the word about the giveaway link up by grabbing our button, Tweeting or posting on Facebook. (Not mandatory- but it helps get more exposure to your giveaways as well!)

3. Take a moment to enter any giveaway that strikes an interest to you!

If you would  like to follow the  hostesses, we will gladly follow you back! Simply leave us a message to do so.

Featured Giveaways

ESV Men's Devotional Bible US only Ends 11/28

VTech Flipsies Sandy's House & Ocean Cruiser Play Set US only Ends 12/1

Suffragette Movie Prize Pack US only Ends 12/7

$25 Amazon Gift Card US only Ends 12/7

$200 Paypal Worldwide Ends 12/10

Thank you for linking up with Karen @ Tots and Me, Emily @ Emily Reviews, Shelly @ The Attic Girl, and Rena @ An Ordinary Housewife.

An InLinkz Link-up

Thankfulness & The Suffragette Movie @suffragetteMOV #fightsnotover #ninteeendays #ad

I received Suffragette promotional materials for sharing this info.  All opinions are my own.

Thanksgiving. It's a time to spend with family and friends and reflect on all of the blessings in our lives throughout the year.  

One of the blessings we may take for granted is our right as women to vote in our country.  It's such a simple thing really.   Something we don't really think about growing up in our generation. 

There are still many women around the globe who do not have equal rights.  I am thankful that I have the right to live where I choose, dress as I choose, marry who I love, and choose to stay at home with my two girls.   I can't imagine a life without those choices.  

To celebrate the upcoming film Suffrage this Thanksgiving, Focus Features is bringing awareness of the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote in 1919 with the "19 Days of of Suffrage" initiative. 

 

(l-r.) Violet Miller (Anne-Marie Duff) and Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan) campaign for women’s voting rights in director Sarah Gavron’s SUFFRAGETTE, a Focus Features release. Credit: Steffan Hill / Focus Features

Academy Award nominees Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter, and three-time Academy Award winner Meryl Streep, lead the cast of a powerful drama about the women who were willing to lose everything in their fight for equality in early-20th-century Britain. 
 

Carey Mulligan stars as Maud Watts in director Sarah Gavron’s SUFFRAGETTE, a Focus Features release.

Credit: Steffan Hill / Focus Features

The stirring story centers on Maud (played by Carey Mulligan), a working wife and mother whose life is forever changed when she is secretly recruited to join the U.K.’s growing suffragette movement. Galvanized by the outlaw fugitive Emmeline Pankhurst (Meryl Streep), Maud becomes an activist for the cause alongside women from all walks of life. 

Carey Mulligan stars as Maud Watts in director Sarah Gavron’s SUFFRAGETTE, a Focus Features release.

Credit: Steffan Hill / Focus Features

 

When increasingly aggressive police action forces Maud and her dedicated fellow suffragettes underground, they engage in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with the authorities, who are shocked as the women’s civil disobedience escalates and sparks debate across the nation. Inspired by true events,  “Suffragette” is a moving drama exploring the passion and heartbreak of those who risked all they had for women’s right to vote – their jobs, their homes, their children, and even their lives.

Carey Mulligan (left) stars as Maud Watts and Anne-Marie Duff (right) stars as Violet Miller in director Sarah Gavron’s SUFFRAGETTE, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Steffan Hill / Focus Features

I am excited to learn more about the brave women who fought for women's rights during this time period through this movie.  I am fascinated with history and think it's very important to know where we have come from and how we can improve for future generations.





 

Learn more at www.Suffragette-Movie.com





Giveaway:

One winner will receive a promotional pack for the Suffragette movie including a bracelet, journal, tote bag, and mini poster

Just use the Giveaway Tools form below.  You must be a US resident 18 or older to enter.  You must complete each task entirely or your entries will not count.  

This giveaway is not in any way associated with or endorsed by Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or Twitter.  Giveaway Ends 12/7/15 at  1PM EST.  US Residents **18 and older** only may enter. One entry per household and IP address.  Winner will be drawn using random.org and will have **48 hrs** to respond to email or another winner will be chosen. Entries are verified.  No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.  The Attic Girl is not responsible/liable for prize delivery.  By entering this giveaway, you agree to the Giveaway terms/rules.

Disclosure:  I received a Suffragette prize pack for sharing this info with my readers.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.  Sponsor is providing the giveaway prize. For more info. see my Disclosure Policy.

Put Me In The Story Santa's Bag Sweepstakes @PutMeInTheStory #holidaygiftguide

 

Put Me In The Story, the #1 personalized books site in the U.S., has hundreds of personalized books and gifts for newborns, kids, and even grown-ups! With a diverse selection of personalized story books, activity books, adult coloring books, adorable plush and more, Put Me In The Story is a fantastic spot to find personalized gifts that become beloved keepsakes.

 

As a huge thank you to their customers, Put Me In The Story is hosting SANTA’S BAG SWEEPSTAKES, just in time for Christmas! Now through December 8, enter each day for a chance to win the grand prize in Santa’s bag of goodies.

 

Santa’s Bag Grand Prize Includes:

·         One $750 Visa Gift Card for your holiday shopping!

·         ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas (NEW personalized book)

·         Our Little Deer

·         Santa is Coming to My House

 

Enter once a day for a chance to win and receive a 30% off coupon code for entering here:

http://books.putmeinthestory.com/santas-bag-sweepstakes/

 

Official Rules: http://www.putmeinthestory.com/santas-bag-sweepstakes-official-rules.html

 

Open to US & Canada only. Must be 18 or older to enter. Sweepstakes ends 12/8/2015 at 11:59 pm CST. Winner will be contacted on or around 12/9/2015.

  

Personalized gifts can make your child's holiday even more special, especially a book that not only has their name in it, but is part of the actual story!

Here are some great selections from Put Me In The Story this holiday season:

SANTA’S BAG BOOK SPOTLIGHT

 

‘Twas The Night Before Christmas by Daniel Kirk

$29.99 personalized book

Hardcover

 

It’s the night before Christmas and Father Mouse is stirring in YOUR house to the sound of Santa Claus and eight tiny reindeer! Cozy up as Father Mouse shares his story of what happens next. You’ll get a peek at Santa and a glimpse of your gifts under the tree, too. With illustrations that began as original ink drawings, this new spin on a classic Christmas tale is sure to be a hit for the holidays!

 

Personalize ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas with a name, picture, and cheerful dedication message to welcome this Christmas season with a new holiday tradition for the entire family. 

 

Our Little Deer by Sandra Magsamen

$29.99 personalized book

Hardcover

 

Your little “deer” will always know how dear they are to your heart with this special personalized book!

Families will love snuggling up together to read this adorable, personalized book that shows your little one just how special they are. Cute, holiday illustrations and sweet messages of love will have everyone smiling in good cheer!

 

Show your little star how bright they shine with Sandra Magsamen’s Our Little Deer—personalized with your child’s name and photo, and a special dedication page with a message from you! Share a whole lot of love with your little “deer” this holiday season and all the way through the years ahead!

 

Santa is Coming To My House by Steve Smallman

$29.99 personalized book

Hardcover

 

Mom’s Choice Gold Award Winner! Your child will light up with joy when they see their name woven into the story with Santa and his elves! Give the gift of a personalized storybook this year by turning your son or daughter into the star of this exciting new holiday classic that soars through Santa’s journey as he delivers presents.

 

Personalize the story with your child’s name and create a special dedication page with a photo and message from you.

Follow Put Me In The Story for the latest updates:

www.putmeinthestory.com

Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

For more holiday gift ideas, be sure to check out the 2015 Holiday Gift Guide  

 No compensation was received for sharing this info.

The Moodster Mirror and Storybook #ad #TheMoodsters

I received a Moodster Mirror and storybook as part of The Moodsters Ambassadors.  All opinions are my own.


As a brand ambassador for The Moodsters, I love helping spread the word about the importance of helping children develop emotional intelligence (EQ) skills. 

The Moodsters are five fun, funny, and wise little “feelings detectives”; their detective tools (otherwise known as toys!) teach kids about emotions. This month I’m pleased to present a guest post from Moodsters creator Denise Daniels—followed by a giveaway of the Moodster Mirror! First, here’s Denise: 


One of the things I love about watching children is how unself-conscious they are—their faces are wide open to every feeling they experience, from joy to tragedy and back again! Yet children themselves often have no idea that what they’re feeling on the inside is reflected in facial expressions on the outside. Making that connection is the beginning of emotional intelligence, or EQ. Emotional intelligence is the process by which children learn to recognize, understand and manage their emotions. 

Decades of research shows that children who learn EQ skills are more likely to do well in all aspects of life—socially, academically, physically, psychologically. And that’s where our colorful little detectives, The Moodsters, come in! Through humor, entertainment, and play, The Moodsters teach children the fundamentals of feelings, setting them on the road to emotional intelligence.


Our curriculum was created along with Marc Brackett, Ph.D., Director of Yale’s Center for Emotional Intelligence, using his “RULER method” to teach children the five components of emotional intelligence: Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, and Regulating emotions.


The first of these skills is to learn to recognize emotions. So I created the Moodster Mirror, which allows children to see what their own emotions “look like” on their faces, and to help them recognize the emotions of others—the key to empathy. See more information below about how the Moodster Mirror, and prepare to have plenty of fun and lots of enlightening conversations with your child about the fascinating world of feelings! 

—Denise Daniels, Creator of The Moodsters

My preschooler loves reading the Moodsters Storybooks with me.  The Moodster Mirror is a fun toy to go along with the story about being kind.  

As soon as she picked up that mirror, the giggles started.  She made lots of faces in the mirror.




We talked about how our face shows what we are feeling and how that can affect others.  Sometimes we don't even realize what our faces are telling people.   
 
AK enjoyed making different faces in the mirror with each character prompt.  Her baby sister enjoyed it too.

Both of my girls love the Moodsters and look forward to seeing what new toy will be coming next.  (we can't wait for the app!)


Where to Buy:

The Moodster Mirror and other toys are available for $19.99 at Target.com 

Enter to win The Moodster Mirror

The Moodster Mirror helps children make the connection between feelings on the inside and facial expressions on the outside. Kids make a happy, sad, angry, scared, or loving face into the Moodster Mirror, and they are able to see what these feelings look like on the outside. By turning the dial, kids select the matching Moodster to hear the character’s wisdom about that particular feeling, which helps kids recognize their feelings and non-verbal cues. Includes full-color, 32 page storybook, “A Time to be Kind”. Ages 3+

Giveaway: 

One reader will win a Moodster Mirror & storybook

Just use the Giveaway Tools form below.  You must be a US resident 18 or older to enter.  You must complete each task entirely or your entries will not count.  

This giveaway is not in any way associated with or endorsed by Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or Twitter.  Giveaway Ends 12/2/15 at  NOON EST.  US Residents **18 and older** only may enter. One entry per household and IP address.  Winner will be drawn using random.org and will have **48 hrs** to respond to email or another winner will be chosen. Entries are verified.  No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.  The Attic Girl is not responsible/liable for prize delivery.  By entering this giveaway, you agree to the Giveaway terms/rules.

Disclosure:  I received a Moodsters Mirror & storybook for review purposes as The Moodsters Brand Ambassador.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.  Sponsor is providing the giveaway prize. For more info. see my Disclosure Policy.

When Calls the Heart: Follow Your Heart #sponsored #Hearties

Thank you to Edify Media for giving me a review copy of When Calls the Heart: Follow Your Heart. This post contains affiliate links.

I am a huge fan of the series When Calls the Heart and love being part of a group called #Hearties.  It's a wonderful family-friendly show from executive producer Michael Landon Jr that keeps getting better and better!

In case you need to catch up on Season 2, here are the DVD's in order:

When Calls the Heart: Trials of the Heart
When Calls the Heart: Heart & Soul
When Calls the Heart: Heart of the Family
When Calls the Heart: Heart and Home 
When Calls the Heart:  Follow Your Heart


When Calls the Heart: Follow Your Heart is now available on DVD.

Synopsis:

From celebrated author Janette Oke (The Love Comes Softly series) comes a rigorous and romantic adventure as epic as the wide frontier. Erin Krakow (Army Wives), Daniel Lissing (Eye Candy), Jack Wagner (Melrose Place) and Lori Loughlin (Full House, 90210) star in When Calls The Heart, “a beautiful story with roots in relationships, self-empowerment, and the enduring power of love” (Common Sense Media). 

While Jack and Elizabeth’s relationship has cooled following their arguments in Hamilton, Jack is hot on the trail of a counterfeiter right in Hope Valley! When he finds the culprit, a two-fisted brawl ensues as Jack apprehends the man. Seeing Jack in danger prompts Elizabeth to confront her feelings and seek him out… but she inadvertently sets Rip, Jack’s dog, loose at the same time. As a violent storm bears down on Hope Valley, Jack and Elizabeth search for Rip and take shelter in an old mineshaft together. But the storm won’t be escaped so easily, and the unstable shaft begins to collapse…




Follow Your Heart is aptly named.  Elizabeth is still trying to figure out her feelings and the relationship between her and Jack is strained.  Elizabeth isn't sure that Jack's job is something she can handle long term and there is still that little part of her that is drawn to Charles.

Other couples are also in strained relationships like Abigail and Bill Avery, Rosemary and Lee, and Julie and Jack's brother Tom.  Each character is faced with the decision to follow their heart; the battle between what the heart wants and what the mind tells you to do is a strong one when it comes to love.

This last DVD in Season 2 will leave you hanging.  If you've been hoping for a clear resolution with your favorite couples in Hope Valley, you are probably hoping for Season 3 to get here already  (I know I am).  Luckily, the holiday special is coming soon!

If you're a fan of the series, follow #hearties on twitter for all the latest buzz.

And stay tuned for the "When Calls the Heart" holiday special December 26th at 8/7c on the Hallmark Channel!

 

Where to Buy:

Follow When Calls The Heart #Hearties

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

 
 

Tuesday Giveaway Link Up 11/16

<a href=" http://totsandme.blogspot.com/search/label/Tuesday%20Giveaway%20Linky "><img alt="Tots and Me" src="http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt58/kewkewphoto/TuesdayGiveawayLinkup2.jpg" border="0" alt="num2"></a>

Welcome to Tuesday's Giveaway Link Up with your hosts Karen @ Tots and Me, Emily @ Emily Reviews, Shelly @ The Attic Girl, and Rena @ An Ordinary Housewife.

So glad you could join us as we share our giveaways. 

This link up will be posted Monday at 7 PM est. and run all week long! Stop in as often as you can to list your latest giveaways.

Here is how to use the Giveaway Link Up

1. Post your reviews and/or giveaways, as many as you have, be sure to add the end date (family friendly please)

2. Help spread the word about the giveaway link up by grabbing our button, Tweeting or posting on Facebook. (Not mandatory- but it helps get more exposure to your giveaways as well!)

3. Take a moment to enter any giveaway that strikes an interest to you!

If you would  like to follow the  hostesses, we will gladly follow you back! Simply leave us a message to do so.

Featured Giveaways

Set of 3 Ladybug Girl books US only Ends 11/22

VTech Flipsies Sandy's House & Ocean Cruiser Play Set US only Ends 12/1

Thank you for linking up with Karen @ Tots and Me, Emily @ Emily Reviews, Shelly @ The Attic Girl, and Rena @ An Ordinary Housewife.

An InLinkz Link-up

November is National Adoption Month #NAM15 #sponsored

This is a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.

The month of November is National Adoption Month.  This is a topic dear to my heart as my best friend adopted a sweet little boy four years ago.  You may remember this Answer to Prayer. 


The day she became a mommy was incredibly special and I am so happy for their sweet family.  Her kiddo and AB have been the best of friends since they were babies.

There are so many children that need forever homes and so many families yearning to become adoptive parents.

I’m reaching out on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, AdoptUSKids, and the Ad Council to ask for your help in spreading the word about a new PSA campaign that encourages prospective parents to adopt older youth from foster care.

The theme for National Adoption Month is, "We Never Outgrow the Need for Family." That's because older children and youth still have many big milestones in their life they need a family for. 
Can you believe that there are 415,000 children in the U.S. foster care system and 108,000 are waiting to be adopted?

 

Older youth and teens have lower adoption rates than younger children, and they often wait longer to be adopted. But no matter their age, all kids need a supportive, loving home and the teenage years are a critical period for growth. AdoptUSKids’ maintains a national photo listing service for children waiting to be adopted. Since the project launched in 2002, more than 25,000 children who were once photo listed on adoptuskids.org have been adopted and nearly 38,000 families have registered to adopt through the website.  Nevertheless, older youth are disproportionately represented – approximately 41 percent of children and youth photo listed on adoptuskids.org are between 15 and 18 years old, but only 17 percent of those adopted have been in this age group.




The new TV PSAs, which were created for the campaign probono, portray a dad giving advice to his teenage daughter after her first breakup, and a mom giving her son a haircut at home. The humorous, lighthearted scenarios aim to overcome fears adoptive parents may have regarding their own imperfections. The PSAs end with the tagline, “You don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect parent,” reassuring prospective parents that even if they are not ‘perfect’, they have the ability to provide the stability and security that older youth in foster care need and deserve.


 

The PSAs direct audiences to visit adoptuskids.org or to call 1-888-200-4005 (English) or 1-877-236-7831 (Spanish) to receive the latest information about the foster care system and the adoption process.

  Here’s how you can help:

• Write A Blog Post  About National Adoption Month. Embed the new PSAs and encourage people to visit AdoptUsKids.org: 
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3atI4qKtsE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGLkWKkGhNc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_fPn3DUTAU
  • If relevant, share a foster care/adoption story that has touched your family personally. Please let us know if you want us to share your story on social media. 

• Use #NAM15 and #perfectparent to share your experience or the new PSAs on social media.
• Spread the word! Let us know if you know a blogger who might have a place in their hearts for the Adoption from Foster Care campaign. 

For more information about adoption, or about becoming an adoptive parent to a child from foster care, please visit www.adoptuskids.org or visit the campaign’s communities on Facebook and Twitter.


Why Older Youth?

• All of us – and that includes older youth in foster care who are waiting to be adopted – need and want families throughout life to support us and to share important life events. Learning to drive a car, applying for higher education, and birthday and holiday celebrations are just a few examples of the times in life we need and want to share with family. 
• Older youth are overrepresented in the foster care population, as they generally wait longer to be adopted, and have lower overall adoption rates.    
• On adoptuskids.org, roughly 41 percent of the children and youth actively photolisted are between the ages of 15 and 18 years old. About 58 percent are male. (Most recent stats as of May 31, 2015) 
• Families who adopt older youth, are providing them with the support and stability of a family during a critical period of normal adolescent concerns and additional self-identity issues.

Some of the Misperceptions about Adoption from Foster Care: 

• Adoption is expensive.  Unlike the private adoption of an infant or adopting internationally, there are virtually no costs associated with adoption from the US child welfare system. In addition, the vast majority of youth adopted from foster care are also eligible for monthly adoption assistance up to the level of the foster care rate. 
• You have to be married. You do not have to be married to adopt in most states. Many children have been very successfully adopted by single parents. Single-parent families accounted for 29 percent of all adoptions from foster care in 2014 (AFCARS). 
• You have to have a college degree. Having a high school diploma or college education is not required. What is important is that you are stable, flexible, and compassionate, and that you have a good sense of humor. Most importantly, you must have the support and commitment to raise a child and to be there for him throughout his life. 
• You have to own a home and each child has to have their own room. You can rent your home or live in an apartment or a mobile home so long as your living situation is a stable one. 
• You have to be of child-bearing age to adopt. Experienced parents and empty-nesters are encouraged to adopt. In most instances, you’re eligible to adopt regardless of age, income, marital status or sexual orientation.  
• You can only adopt a child who is the same race and ethnicity as you. Federal law prohibits the delay or denial of an adoptive placement based on the race or ethnicity of a child in U.S. foster care and the prospective parent or parents who are seeking to adopt them. The only exception to this law is the adoption of Native American children where special considerations apply.  
• You can’t adopt if you’re in the military. Military families stationed overseas and within the U.S. are eligible to adopt children from the U.S. foster care system.    

Please consider spreading the word about this important campaign for National Adoption Month!

Every child deserves a family! November is National Adoption Month #sponsored #NAM15 #nationaladoptionmonth https://t.co/bOnCUNijNX … …

— Shelly Dixon (@atticgirl76) November 15, 2015