Adoption

[rawbutterfly]

My question is to those of you out there who have adopted a child while raw. We are trying to adopt a sibling group of 4 right now from the foster system here in the US. It will soon be time for our homestudy and I guess I am starting to get worried that our choice of food may not look good to the social worker. We already have 2 children that are obviously very healthy (been almost 100% for over a year). There are huge bowls of fruit and veggies all over the kitchen, a dehydrator, blender, etc...no microwave... so it will be quite obvious that we eat differently than "normal" people. I'm sure that they don't ask about food on the homestudy, but I'm worried it might get brought up because of what she will see here. We would never force our beliefs on the children we adopt, just try to teach them and let them decide. Has anyone ever been through this situation? I know a few of you out there have adopted but was it while raw?? Did it make any difference??

[Anastazia]

I'm hoping to adopt, so have given this a lot of thought, & done some looking into this.
(Keep in mind I'm in Canada, so it may be different.)

They likely will ask some simple dietary related questions, & look in cupboards, & perhaps even talk with your kids about it, if they have an inkling to, based on their observations.

I would suggest being really clear with your kids that they have choice, so that if questioned, little things don't get said like,"We're not ALLOWED to eat that!" (Teach them to say, "We don't want to eat that (anymore?)" so it's clear the choice is theirs.

I would ask questions during the homestudy like, "What are their favorite foods, so we can have something familiar to feed them that they like?" (not mentioning the lack of health of their preferences, of course!) & if they have cultural foods, let them know you're learning to prepare those (they don't have to know it may be a raw version! Lol!)

Even having a cupboard ready of things that are on the healthier end of 'normal' (familiar) foods, (like, organic versions of snacks, etc.) might be a good idea, especially cuz there'll be 4 of them!

If you're clear with them that they'll be given a healthy variety of choices, there really should be no problems...if you're dogmatic, intense, trying to convert the workers to see the wisdom of raw, of course it ain't goona go over well!:rolleyes: You'll do fine, it'll just be a matter of sharing as little as possible about it, not volunteering info, maybe just answering their questions with comments about wanting to eat healthy, & how much healthier you all are now.

What a wonderful adventure you're about to embark on!!! Hope it all goes really well!!!:D
Please share it with us as it unfolds!
~Anastazia~

[Ginger]

That is excellent advice! I would not say anything about being raw, I would just say that you offer plenty of fruits & vegetables and whole grains and that your family trys to eat as much whole foods as possible. Tell them you have crackers, breads, cereal and milk and burgers and pasta etc because YOU DO, only don't tell them its RAW! :D

[Bethanie]

These people still believe highly in the Sad American Diet.
Don't get caught up in talking too much because it will not be heard the same way you put it out there.
Be very limited in what you let them in on please.
Being vegetarian is difficult enough in some areas of the USA but being Raw, don't chance it.
I know from personal experience what can go wrong.
B.

[jacsam]

My husband and I were the only ones with children for the longest time, on both sides of the family....until adaption came into play, so even though I haven't adopted children, it has been a VERY big part of my life. So, here's what I have to say....more than likely you aren't going to be asked about particulars in exactly what you eat or for family meal menus. Usually they are looking at the safety of the home. My sister in law had to do things like get electrical outlet safety plugs before she could pass her home study. If they ask about your diet, I'd keep it simple and let them know that you try to be very health concious and always have plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.....my philosophy is that honesty is ALWAYS the best policy. You really do want them to make the best match for the children and your family.....being adopted will be a very big adjustment for the children even if it is a positive thing for them. Adoption is wonderful, my children wouldn't have cousins if it wasn't for adoption. (although my brother did recently have a baby) Oh, and another fun thing is that we have a rainbow of colors and I love it. My one sister in law talks about her family in terms of chocolate....they have white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate. Life is fun!!!!

[rawbutterfly]

Thank you guys for all the input! I am not quite as worried about it as I was before. :p

[eachpeachpearplum]

Allison had a great blog called therawtribe about raising her twelve adoped kids raw. Unfortunatly her blg seems to be inactive at the moment although I read it just at christmas. The link below is to a thread with her Avatar you can click on her name and try to contact her for advice.

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=33537

[kaleidoscopeeyes]

"Tell them you have crackers, breads, cereal and milk and burgers and pasta etc because YOU DO, only don't tell them its RAW!"

I don't know...that seems a little deceiving to me. Maybe make a superb raw dessert for the social workers to try, so they know the kids won't be deprived.

[nfracer]

I am a mom to 5 children...2 adopted in the mix. Both came pre-raw but I was at the time gfcf.....Food issues/preferences did not come up ONCE. They are searching for safe (as someone else mentioned), loving environments. An abundance of fresh fruits and veggies will only add "glow" to your family. We adopted here in NY...BTW, there are thousands and thousands and thousands of children in foster care here in the USA just waiting, dreaming wishing for a loving home-like yours I assume! Trust me, I've heard too many horror stories about what kids go through to be in "the system"...A healthy raw diet will be the least of the caseworkers concerns.!!!! Good luck on your home study!

[Marin Mom]

I second nfracer's post. My 2 were adopted from Russia 6 years apart, the second one age 7 at the time. Good grief, the social worker is not going to peek in your cupboards. People sweat over the anticipated homestudies so much and the SW's know this. Most professionals will put you at ease and applaud you for doing this! How many out there would take on four at once- you are HEROS (and I hope you know what you are in for :p)

Having said that I wouldn't even mention food at the HS. Your current kids may or may not even bring it up as they will be questioned apart from you about many things but hopefully if it does come up it will be in a positive light. I would tend to downplay the issue.

I would have LOTS of fresh fruit around for them to grab when they do arrive-they will love it and scarf it up. Mine went bananas for bananas. They also love to prepare their own salads- I put out lots of pretty little dishes each with a veggie and let them choose for themselves what to make. I was pre raw when the second adoption took place with the older one but surprisingly enough, it is she (who was most deprived) who really goes for the raw stuff and is more adventurous. Since yours I take it are domestic they may be more entrenched in the SAD diet so you may want to start them off on a vegetarian cooked/ raw diet and see where it goes from there. You will know what to do once in the trenches and I APPLAUD you!