FAIR FAMILY FUN – YOU ARE INVITED FAIR HOLIDAY PARTY: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2:30-4:30 . Location: Parents Nursery School 2328 Louis Road, Palo Alto It’s easy to find – between Oregon Expsway and Embarcadero Road. Especially for families with elementary children and younger. Older kids will enjoy helping. Waiting families are welcome. Meet other families with young kids! What to Bring: A wrapped inexpensive gift for each of your children (marked with first & last name & age.) These will go into the appropriate “Santa’s bag” when you arrive, to be distributed later! A plate of cookies or simple finger foods to share. (Optional) We will be outside in a wonderful play yard. The crafts and food will be set up outside also, unless it rains. Please come rain or shine and dress warmly! When: Party is from 2:30-4:30. Simple crafts and play from 2:30 on. Santa will appear at 3:30. Please arrive before he comes! Helpers: Adults and Teen/older child helpers. We really need you! Please arrive at 2:00 to help set up and receive directions. See RSVP information below. YOUR RSVP HELPS US PLAN! Call Wilma at 408-732-7776 or wilmachu@aol.com  to let us know how many people are coming, their ages, and if you could help at the party. Teens are especially wanted and needed to help.

Parents of School Ages Kids – Some parents have asked for a group for parents whose kids are in K-5th grades. Thanks to those who have responded with your interest. Wilma wilmachu@aol.com  is keeping a list of everyone and it looks as if we will be starting in January, but we will be in touch regularly. In the meantime, if your kids are on the younger side, feel free to come to the Parents of Young Kids Group.

Wed. Nov. 30. 7-9pm. “Moving On” – A group for parents of young adults ages 17 and up. Share the ups and downs of parenting kids who may have extra challenging behaviors or tasks at this stage of transition into the world beyond high school. For all adoptive parents of older teens and young adults. Facilitated by experienced adoptive parents. Meeting place: Saratoga. Contact Lansing lansingw@earthlink.net  or Kathy at Katherine.metz@comcast.net  for information. We will not meet in December but will be back in January.

Sat. Dec. 3. 2:30-4:30. FAIR Holiday Party. See above.

Sat. Dec. 3. Pact Family Day for Pact Members, including Teen and Tweens. Registration information at www.pactadopt.org  or 510-243-9460.

Mon. Dec. 12. 7-9pm. Parents of Young Children Support and Networking Group. Mountain View. This group is for adoptive parents of infants and young children. Pre-adopt parents will also find this group helpful. Thanks to BAAS for the meeting space! 465 Fairchild Dr. Ste 215. RSVP lansingw@earthlink.net

Fri. Dec. 16. FAIR Adoption Discussion and Support Group, San Francisco One topic of discussion will be coping with holiday stress, but an topic is welcome. For location and to RSVP, email amyk@stanfordalumni.org. FAIR membership encouraged but not required.

 

Planning Ahead: Please consider participating in this unique program.

FAIR Playshops 2006. FAIR is pleased once again to sponsor this popular adoption education program for children, PLAYSHOPS, facilitated by Jane Brown, an adoption professional and adoptive parent. Board members Amy Klatzkin and Mollie McCloud will be organizing the event locally. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to be with others who were adopted in a fun, structured, guided group. After Jane works with the children she meets with parents to talk about the groups’ experience and the age appropriate topics each group was involved with. FAIR encourages parents who have adopted in the US as well as those who adopted from other countries to register for this program. Many details are available through joining the Playshops announcements list: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FAIR-Playshops2006/  or send a blank email message to: FAIR-Playshops2006-subscribe@yahoogroups.com 

MARCH 17-19, 2006: ADULT & OLDER KIDS Fri. evening, March 17: Adult Workshop Sat. daytime, March 18: Kids born 1996 Sat. evening, March 19: Born 1991-93 Sun. morning, March 20: Born 1994-95

APRIL 8-9, 2006: YOUNGER KIDS Sat. morning, April 8: Playshop 1, ages 5 (all) & 6 (first timers) Sat. afternoon, April 8: Playshop 2, kids born 1999 and later Sun. morning, April 9: Playshop 3, born 1998 Sun. afternoon, April 9: Playshop 4, born 1997

Registration will begin in February. You do not need to be a FAIR member to register, but FAIR members will get preference if sessions fill. Scholarships available to FAIR members. Contact amyk@stanfordalumni.org