Ukraine isn't the only country experiencing an adoption slow down. Russia' law requiring adoption agencies be registered NGOs has created problems for some families. China is also experiencing a slow down.

Lisa adopted 2 boys from Ukraine and is now trying to adopt a girl from China. She tried to adopt from Romania but was a month away from getting a referral when Romanian adoption was shutdown.

Here is what she says about waiting.....

I feel this dreaded sick... more

I thought that I had found most of the interesting Ukrainian adoption books. Well.... I found a few more.

Starting with a classic. I cannot believe that I failed to mention this one. It is a great book for adoptive families that are just getting started and exploring their options. It is used as a reference book for many adoptive families.

The Russian Adoption Handbook: How to Adopt... more

Before I get started on Ukraine references in English language movies, I want to mention Pixar's new movie, Cars.

I thought that it was really cool that Cars is being shown in Ukraine in the Ukrainian language. Many movies shown in Ukraine are in English with Russian subtitles.

But then I read there is a new Ukrainian law that requires 70% of movies to be dubbed in Ukrainian start September 1, 2006. Pixar wasn't being cultural sensitive. They were just adjusting to the new law.

If... more

Part 1 is here. I found several movies (in English) that reference Ukraine. Here are a couple of other movies.

The Sum of All Fears was released in 2002. It is based on a book by Tom Clancy and stars Ben Affleck and Morgan Freeman. Here is why this mainstream movie is on my list.

About an hour into the movie, when Ryan meets Clark after he is ambushed by the two Ukrainian officers, there are a number of mistakes. For one thing, the officers... more

I recently developed a list of movies with Ukrainian references. There are very few movies that focus just on Ukraine. If you know of any other movies (in English) please email me at adoptukraineblog@adoptionmail.com.

Finding Dzhulynka is a documentary that was released in 2004.

Part history, part mystery, and part travelogue, the documentary film "Finding Dzhulynka" follows an American family back to Russia and the Ukraine, as they make... more

Here are some Ukrainian Adoption books of interest. I haven't read all of them. But reading does help the time pass.

Finding Yasha : An Adoption Journey To Ukraine by Mickey & Len Sirowitz is Spiral-bound. Amazon.com is selling the book for $25.99. It was published May 11, 2006.

Yasha was adopted from Cherkassy.

FINDING YASHA is a very personal account of a shared family experience. It all began with a son's... more

I didn't realize just how important a lifebook was until my daughter had one. And it amazes me just how frequently Natasha pulls it out. We call it The Book of Natasha.

It has pages on my adoption trip and her adoption. Pages on her eye surgery and preschool. I have a couple of more school pages and a BFF (best friend forever) page that I need to add it. Well... I need to complete them first.

I decided to just keep growing The Book of Natasha because it has been so loved. It has gone to school for show and tell.... more

A husband and wife who are Ukrainian citizens and live in the US recently had their parental rights terminated for child abuse. Their children are dual citizens (American and Ukraine). It looks like the parental rights were terminated before the Ukrainian embassy was notified. Parents are going to appeal.

A Kent County judge terminated the parental rights of Marina Ivanova on Friday along with those of her ex-husband.

In September of 2004, police say they found Ivanova's 3-year-old daughter and 23-month-old son tied up in a trash-filled apartment.... more

Why is everyone's adoption experience unique?

Back to the book, State and Institution Building in Ukraine... It was edited by Taras Kuzio, Robert S Kravchuk, Paul D'Anieri and was published in 1999.

While Ukrainian scholars have not applied the label post-colonial to Ukraine. Tazas Kuzio believes the label is correct. He compares Ukraine to other post-colonial countries like Zimbabwe.

Ukraine was bullied... more

Many families trying to adopt from Ukraine are getting very emotionally tired. I know that I would be. Ukrainian adoption used to be more predictable for families. They could be completed from start to finish within a year. There are people waiting for an appointment who were registed in Feb 2006.

Current rumor is that the SDA will open at the end of June.

Sending everyone who is waiting a virtual hug.

(((((((((((((((((( hug ))))))))))))))))))

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Here are some... more