China Connection newsletter welcomes you to its guide site for China adoption.     Note from the co-editors / publishers: China adoption brought us the opportunity and adventure of connecting very personally with another culture, as well as giving us two dear daughters and making us a family. Through China Connection (a national newsletter, on paper) and this website, we are pleased to share what we have learned and experienced--and continue to observe as circumstances change. The newsletter, published bimonthly, provides Chinese cultural material, including traditions of the season, and ongoing coverage of useful information for parents who are in the adoption process or have completed it. A few selected articles are included on this website, which is intended as a guide for China-adoptive families. (Some photos and details from the co-editors' own Chinese American family.) Website provided by China Connection newsletter Published since February 1995 This website of ideas, information, selected links and resources for China-adoptive parents is provided by the national newsletter for China-adoptive families, China Connection . Please note: The newsletter stopped publication with the Dec./Jan. 2008-09 issue, but back-issues are available. Short SITE INDEX  For China-adoptive Families:  -Issues & Ideas: Adoption / Parenting / Intercultural  -Chinese Language, History & Culture  -Selected Books: For Parents / Children  -Other Resources & Websites  -NewsNotes ---No fees or exchanges are paid for inclusion of any information on this site.   --Search this site

------Site startup: 12-16-96. Site moved to present address 1-24-2001. Photos (except when otherwise noted): Bob Crawford

Issues & Ideas: Adoption / Parenting / Intercultural     "Care Needed in Making Statements to Public Media" -- a few cautionary notes "Observing Adoption Anniversaries" -- pros, cons, and other considerations "Mongolian Spots (--Did you tell the sitter?)" -- some basics not to be missed "The Need for Chinese Cultural Support for Our Children" -- need to nurture the child's Chinese identity    Chinese Language, History & Culture     "Roses in Her Hair" an excerpt from a 1930s autobiography of a young woman growing up in Changzhou. Tangram -- ancient Chinese storytelling device Tones: the Four Inflections in Spoken Chinese -- a brief primer to some basics of spoken Chinese Dictionaries: English to Chinese and Chinese to English -- how to select (plus, link to two online Chinese-English, English-Chinese dictionaries) Names: How to find the meaning of the characters in your child's name -- brief explanation, examples and dictionary link "Chinese Driving" -- a brief article from the newsletter    Selected Books: For Parents / For Children      Book List -- A basic list in several parts    Other Resources & Websites     Citizenship for Internationally Adopted Children -- the law in effect now: The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 Referral waiting time: Graphs & discussion of history of waiting time and recent changes. CCAA's quota statement of Oct. 2001 (See also News Notes) China's amended adoption law: Overview article on changes made effective April 1, 1999. Medical and Financial Forms & CCAA Guidelines (Homestudy / Dossier and Post-adoption reporting are covered in these Guidelines) Directories of China-AdoptiveFamilies -- index and contact links to about 70 known directories (Page also has link to listing of mailing addresses of many of the children's institutions.) Telling TIME in China (a chart relating U.S. and China time) Weather forecast for China (with quick search for cities) Traveling: Go alone to China or take a companion? Discussion groups (Internet "lists") re. China adoption --APC, PAC, "older kids" (AOK) and several others Find the meaning of the characters in your child's name -- brief explanation, examples and dictionary link (This is double-listed from the above "Language" section.) Services & Products -- several selected, including -- couriers for documents (Wash., D.C., NYC, Chicago, Kansas City, Houston and SF/Bay Area & Sacramento) -- dossier preparation services -- book mail-order sources -- vocabulary (& phrase) cards for China-adoptive travelers with optional CD -------------> -- Chinese characters -- China-related items, including Shirts for Little Characters, tm -- Tiger Shirt in ADULT sizes: Shirts for Big Characters, tm -- International Travel Medical Kit (This links to NewsNotes where links are given.) -- translation services About the China Connection newsletter -- a resource for China-adoptive families ---> Other China-Adopton-Related Websites / Online Resources -- page of links for ... -- "DTC websites" (Go directly) (informal registries track dossier and referral data) -- detailed paperchase information -- CCAA Guidelines for homestudy and dossier (with medical & financial forms) -- I-864 & I-864A (some clarifying notes on use of these forms) -- where to obtain vital records in each State (U.S.) -- how to choose an agency -- overall cost itemization for China adoption -- U.S. Poverty Guideline figures (Health & Human Services Dept.) -- BCIS (was INS), IRS & Social Security forms and information -- Chinese Embassy (visa application) -- CCAA website -- CDC website (travelers' shots recommendations; US growth charts) -- international adoption clinics -- growth charts -- packing lists and advice -- statistics on referral and travel waiting time -- adoption srories (accounts of preparation and travel) -- and more Sept., 2010: 7 Collected Articles on Heritage Support now available as a Kindle download This is the classic take-along vocabulary card set. Optional CD has native speaker speaking contents of the cards. China Connection newsletter--current contents listing. Cultural and practical content Chinese Characters by e-mail Get details.   Go to NewsNotes

Back to TOP

Uhh ... where are the shirts? The SHIRTS are now on a different page.

Lisa's first trip to the beach. Age two. (6-98 photo)