The Term "Real Mother" Confuses Us
Mothers’ Day has always been a tough one at our house. My wife, Amy, came from a home where she was abused by her father and her mother did nothing to stop…
Family Blog
Stories, essays, and notes
Mental Illness Is Like Other Illness
Amy and I have three biological children and six adopted ones in our family. Parenting that many children should clue you in on the fact that there is some mental illness in the home, if…
A Rose By Any Other Name...
Simmons Family in 2007 Sarah or Yeakaterina? (Make sure you roll the “r” when you say that.) I need to back up. Recently, a mom-blogger provided some feedback for my new book,…
A World Without Bullies
As Seen in Huffington Post I was always the second or third child from the left on the front row of class pictures in elementary school. I was never the shortest in…
I'd Rather Be In An Orphanage
Hula Dancer at our Luau My wife and I just got back from our first trip ever to Hawaii. It was incredible. It was everything we imagined it to be. I saw…
Broken Lives and Broken Tiles can be Things of Beauty
Broken Tiles in Our Master Bathroom Broken lives, to my wife, were reflected in the broken tiles of our new Master Bath. “It’s even more beautiful because they were broken!” At…
A Love for Books and Reading
I love to read. I crave the time I spend with authors who take me to other times and places. I savor the chance to learn why other people think what they…
Down Syndrome doesn't Mean Something's Wrong
Down syndrome doesn't mean something's wrong. Jack is now eighteen. We adopted him when he was just one-month old. As with a large percentage of other children born with Down syndrome,…
The Family and Me
I’m John Simmons and this is my family. On the back row we have Steve, Emily and Cory. Middle row: Holly, Amy, me, Sarah and Annie. The front row has Mike, Celeste,…
Statistics for Orphans are Staggering
The broken Nesting Dolls in my office represent the staggering statistics for orphans Nesting dolls in my office represent the staggering statistics for orphans. The room is decorated with pictures and souvenirs from Russia.…
Thoughts on the History of Russian Adoption
http://adoption.about.com/od/adoption_by_country/a/Thoughts-On-The-Russian-Adoption-Ban-Issue.htm
An Adoptive Parent’s Thoughts on the Russian Children That Have Been Murdered
An Adoptive Parent’s Thoughts on the Russian Children That Have Been Murdered The Trouble with Finding Services http://adoption.about.com/od/adoption_by_country/a/An-Adoptive-Parents-Thoughts-On-The-Russian-Children-That-Have-Been-Murdered.htm