The Adoptive & Waiting Parent Group (APG) is an ongoing support meeting for Adoption Options’ waiting and parenting adoptive families. The group offers a confidential space for connection with other families and ongoing learning about open adoption. It is an open group allowing adoptive families to attend as they desire. There are no fees.
The Adoptive Parent Group is facilitated by Adoption Options’ social workers and will take place on the third Wednesday of each month.. There will be a mix of in-person meetings in Calgary and Edmonton as well as virtual meetings via Zoom.
2024-2025 Meeting Schedule
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 @ 7pm – 8:30pm [Virtual]
Connection: Welcome Back, Check-In, What’s on Your Mind?
Reconnect with fellow adoptive parents as we kick off the year! Meet our facilitators, learn about the year’s activities, and share your summer experiences. This session is all about answering your questions, catching up, and setting the stage for the upcoming months.
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 @ 7pm – 9pm [Virtual]
Topic: Nurturing Open Adoption Relationships
Explore strategies for building and maintaining healthy, open relationships with birth families. Discuss effective communication, setting boundaries, and fostering mutual respect to support a positive adoption experience for everyone involved.
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 @ 7pm – 9pm [Virtual]
Topic: Losses in Adoption (Grief, Loss, & Boundaries)
Delve into the complexities of grief and loss in the adoption journey for everyone in the adoption circle. This session will address the emotional impact of adoption-related losses, including strategies for boundary setting and finding support through challenging times.
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 @ 7pm – 8:30pm [In-Person in Edmonton & Calgary]
Connection: Holiday Social
Join us for a casual gathering for the holiday season, where the focus is on connecting with other waiting and parenting families. This is a space for sharing experiences, offering support, asking questions, and building community without a specific theme or agenda.
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 @ 7pm – 8:30pm [In-Person in Calgary – Virtual for Everyone Else]
Connection: Waiting Families
Connect with other families waiting to be placed. Share your experiences, support one another, and build relationships with others who understand the unique challenger and hopes of waiting for a placement. Connect with Calgary families in-person or join other families virtually.
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 @ 7pm – 9pm [Virtual]
Topic: Joint APG & BPG
Engage in a collaborative session with birthparents. This joint meeting provides an opportunity for mutual understanding, story sharing, and addressing questions, fostering a supportive network for everyone involved.
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 @ 7pm – 8:30pm [In-Person in Edmonton – Virtual for Everyone Else]
Connection: Parenting Families
Enjoy an open-ended connection session with no specific theme. This gathering is designed to provide a relaxed environment where adoptive parents can share experiences, seek advice, and support one another in a casual setting. Connect with Edmonton families in-person or join other families virtually.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 @ 7pm – 9pm [Virtual]
Topic: Navigating the Difficult Parts of Your Child’s Story
Learn how to sensitively address challenging aspects of your child’s adoption story with them and others. This session will cover strategies for discussing topics like birthparents, substance use during pregnancy, and other sensitive issues.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 @ 7pm – 9pm [Virtual]
Topic: Welcoming Your New Child, Creating Attachment, & Sharing Your Child’s Adoption Story with Others
Focus on the crucial aspects of welcoming your new child and fostering attachment. Discuss best practices for integrating your child into your family and effectively sharing their adoption story with others to build a supportive environment.
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 @ 7pm – 8:30pm [Virtual]
Connection: Celebrating Diverse Family Structures
In honor of Pride Month, we invite all families to join us for a special connection session that acknowledges the unique challenges and perspectives of queer families in the adoption journey. This gathering is a space for everyone to connect, share experiences, and celebrate diversity within our community while fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all.
Adoption Options’ waiting and parenting families receive exclusive invites to these group meetings. If you are an Adoption Options’ waiting and/or parenting family and have not received invited to these groups, and would like to be, please reach out to aoedm@adoptionoptions.com or aocal@adoptionoptions.com.