Life After An Open Adoption | F Word S2Ep6
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- čas přidán 30. 05. 2019
- If you missed season 1, watch here: • Queer Couple's Journey... The F Word follows the heartwarming story of one queer couple fostering a child in Oakland, CA. Nicole and Kristan celebrate J's first birthday and continue to pursue an open adoption.
CREDITS
Directed by
Nicole Opper
Produced by
Kristan Cassady
Nicole Opper
Written by
Kristan Cassady
Laura Green
Nicole Opper
Co-Producer
Natalie Teter
Director of Photography
Mario Furloni
Tijana Petrovic
Mike Seely
Additional Camera
Alix Blair
Jen Gilomen
Lou Nakasako
Nicole Opper
Sound
Lauretta Molitor
Emile Bokaer
Additional Sound
Anton Herbert
Max Hirtenstein
Editor
Laura Green
Composer
Diana Sailer
Animation
Sam Berliner
Laura Green
Production Assistants
Eden Polich
Michelle Yau
Adoption and Foster Care Consultants
Nia Clark
Angela Tucker
Legal
Justine Jacobs
Additional Funding Provided by
Dave Thomas Foundation
Chicken & Egg Pictures
Seed & Spark Supporters
Special Thanks
Dependency Advocacy Center
First Place for Youth
Foster America
Thanks
Santa Clara University
Tim Rose
Mike Whalen
Preeti Mishra
AnnaLisa Chung
Claudia Miller
Carrie Lozano
Elizabeth Lo
Karim Ahmad
Kristina Motwani
Nels Bangerter
Rodrigo Reyes
Eugene Yi
Emily Cohen Ibañez
David Feliz Sutcliffe
Débora Souza Silva
Contessa Gayles
Jen Bradwell
Kate McLean
Rhonda Roorda
Daniel Chien
Claire Weissbluth
Katie Patterson
Samantha Cooper
Thank you to our participants:
Noel Anaya
Elisha Mitchell
Katarina Kabick
Lawrence Newsome
Sherry Lachman
Angela Tucker
Avery Klein-Cloud
Artrese Morrison, Alice Jordan, and DJ
Mike and Betty Opper
Ann Poppe and Richard Opper
The Cassady Family
Collier Meyerson
Sharon Anderson
Jaclene Camacho
David Shuster
Victoria Ruiz
Linda Jordan
Ellie DeJong
Mario Montemayor
Judge Elizabeth Lee
Melissa Kertz
Sandy DeLeon
Emilio Perdomo
Zoe Pappis
Marguerite Mackenzie
Rabbi Dev Noily
Shulamit Wise Fairman
Hiba Ahmed
Tracy Hanna & Family
Don Romesburg, David Jon Mould & Family
Sheena Haskin & Family
Additional Music
The Peacock
Writer and composer: Abdelrahman Elrayah
Additional Photos courtesy of
Kyle Glenn
Debbie Lee
Additional Footage courtesy of
Ben Fee
Footage from “Off and Running” courtesy of
Nicole Opper
Based on the Series, THE F WORD, a Co-Production of NICOLE OPPER PRODUCTIONS, LLC and INDEPENDENT TELEVISION SERVICE (ITVS), with funding provided by CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
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Even tho the F series might be over... I hope you guys will give updates on how your family is doing once in awhile. I really have loved this series and your journey so much!
yes updates please! :-)
It's over? Please tell more stories. You're method of examining is thoughtful, but in the way that leaves questions lingering. I wish you and your family the best!
A vlog channel would be so great and very welcomed!
Thank you for sharing this story; offering hard truths and real life along with the joy.
That was a lovely informative series!! My husband and I have signed up for foster care orientation this month :)
The fact that Ahsa parents left her hair natural speaks all volumes they want what's best for her not what's easy for them these are the type of parents that every parent That can't take care of their child wish that their children could have God bless these men they are really God sent and she gets to see her mama come on now they need some praises
Larisa Pearson I can respect that
Please don’t stop making videos of your amazing family and journey. 😢😢😢 I really look forward to watching yall💕💕💕
I’m only 45... would love to b adopted by this amazing couple... 😬😆
So excited to be one of the first to watch. This series means so much to me!
So inspiring. Open adoption doesn't exist in my country and I always advocate for it. It's so much more humane for everyone involved.
I agree that open adoption is good but it's not always the best especially if the child is coming from an abuse situation or it's just not safe. I love the idea of everyone always been able to see their birth family but that's just not always best. What y'all have done is beautiful and inspiring though. Thank you for opening your home to let us all see the process.
There can be different kinds of openness though, can't there? I hope what we're done with is secret adoptions, where the child is lied to and basic facts are hidden. Although I guess total secrecy is kind of a moot point with interracial adoption or with older child adoption.
@@junbh2
Secret adoptions?
I think the adoption process is hard to navigate because of different view points. Once you adopt a child that is your child. In every senses. They get a new birth certificate, they can change thier name, and they can get a new social security number.
And that's good because that is then your child again in every sense.
As far as not telling children they are adopted. I think that all depends on the family. If it doesn't matter and they have chosen for whatever reason not to tell then I would think that's okay... to a point. I mean family health history can be important to know and I think there should always be honest with that person when they are old enough to understand and process.
I think open adoptions are beautiful but not realistic for all children and the lines can get blurry. Because once again when you adopt a child that child is yours and your responsibility until they are 18.
Meaning you have every right to refuse to let the birth family continue to contact the child at any time. Essentially you can close it at any point, especially if safety is a concern. But if birth family over steps, if communication breaks down, there are so many factors that can make it hard to have an open adoption or to make an open adoption as healthy for the child as possible.
If you can get it to work that's amazing, but it wont always work for everyone
This has been the best CZcams docuseries I have ever watched. Thank you
That means so much, thank you!
Arent you in the video?
I LOVE YOUR SERIES! I am really considering adopting and you two truly inspire me to keep pursuing it! Thanks you guys and keep the videos coming! :-)
Thank You for making this series, as a preschool teacher I learn a little more about Foster care from the students that come through and it was a developing passion of mine, watching this process has me fully convinced to started volunteering and helping in anyway I can and when I ready hopefully fostering as well! Thanks for teaching me so much
I've loved this series! J is gorgeous and growing up so fast!
I want to thank the both of you for sharing your families story. I have always known I wanted to adopt instead of having biological kids. After doing research, I decided adoption thru foster care would be the best option for me. Now that I’m getting to the point in my life where I am ready to start the process. Your series has been a wonderful source of information. Watching your story has opened my eyes to certain aspects of the process that I’ve never even considered. I also love the fact that you took the time to show all sides of foster care. Interviewing people who have been in foster care themselves and parents who have lost their kids to foster care. I just really love the f word series and hope this isn’t the last we see of these types of stories.
It's so sad that a lot of kids go into foster care and dont get to be with their blood family. But I think it's so awesome that they get a chance to be loved by the people/couples that want to adopt them. It's just a hard situation all the way around I pray that all foster kids get a chance to be loved!
Thank You so much for sharing your family’s story (and those of the others you featured)
This series started to air or go live lol when we started our foster care journey ♡ so glad , I've really enjoyed it and definitely felt it on a deep level .
I discovered this series today and finished this series today. It was a roller coaster of emotions but I am just so happy for all of you. Much love.
I love this story and the pure emotion behind all the episodes. The two of you are doing such a great thing for not only for Kay but everyone with questions on adoption, foster car, and transracial adoption.
I’ve enjoyed this series so much! Really open my eyes to all aspects of Fostering and adopting! I’ve known for a while that I want to foster or adopt one day, this has only helped to reaffirm that decision! Thank you for sharing your story and the stories of so many others which are so important!!
I just want to say I look forward to your life clips/videos. I hope that we see many more life clips and stories of others. Your a magnificent editor/director
BEAUTIFUL! BEAUTIFUL! BEAUTIFUL!
I loved this series so so much. Great job displaying the untold stories of so many.
Oh no I will miss the updates! I am so happy to see your family and even more so to see J doing so well! AT 50 I am still living with the effects of the abuse and neglect that took me into the care system in the UK for the first time at 2 then permenanty at 5 years! I am so happy that wont happen to little J he's a cracking lad you can see how full of love and wonder he is! I wish you all the best with all my heart!
Nooooo! It's over?! It's been an emotional roller coaster, you can't end it here. We love your family and would really appreciate updates ☺️
Thank you so much for creating and sharing this! My family is just starting the application process to foster and adopt, and it makes me so hopeful to hear a happy story. Your family is beautiful, and I appreciate how open you were with the highs and lows of your experience. I also found the discussion of interracial adoption eye-opening, and I'm so glad you included that. Loved every minute!
I LOOOOOVE this !!!! Open adoption needs to be given this light! And again, I love seeing Avery in your life, having watched her documentary countless times for the course I teach - she has bloomed magnificently ! And the persistence with J’s G-mom & to be invited for the reunion!!!!
Thank you so much for making this series. I love you guys!
As always thank you guys for opening up your family to us. I for one is grateful for the experience and learn a lot about the process. 🙌🏾
Please don't say this is the end of the series. Your videos are so beautiful. I was a foster kin mom who's foster child was reunited with her parents. However she is back in the system in another state. So I am back on a rollercoaster journey. Your videos give me hope and faith.
J is truly thriving and looks like an amazingly happy baby. Also, it’s very nice to see how excited the two of you get when his birth grandma replies. Great job working towards giving J such an open and loving life.
Don’t you dare take this tribe away from me I can’t take it 😭😭😭😭! I must see more. I need it.
I'm 70, have no children & was never in a position to adopt, but loved your story. I wish you would consider giving us a peek into your life as time goes by as would SO many other's I'm sure! Thank's for sharing & best of luck!!
Seeing how much this little man has in his life is so touching. This is amazing.
I, too, would love to see more. Either more of this story, or more of your unique way of documentary making. I loved it!
Awee😭❤️❤️❤️ such a wonderful series and an adorable family!!!
Thanks for this amazing journey. Love from France! ❤️
What a wonderful series, I've just binge watched it. I'm sending all my love and respect to all who were involved in making this. And just maybe we can hope for some updates. :)
watch other videos and this channel video on foster care and adopting is really encouraging me to do the same when i am a little bit older
Oh wow I live right by Oakland! It's so great to see stories like this 💗 especially when it's local 🤗
I have loved this series so much! Inspires me to keep pushing forward with the foster process.
respect all the desicions you guys have made so far. super touched. :)
I absolutely love this series! I'm sad it's over but I'm so grateful for it- some episodes I watched twice.
J is loved by SO MANY-so inspiring to see. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Thank you for sharing your experience, for sharing so many perspectives, and for also sharing resources. This was an incredible journey to watch 💙
Gratitude! The wisdom and love you have shown in your adoption path are remarkable. I feel so happy that God has placed Jay in your loving arms. I wish the three of you a life filled with happy memories and perseverance in love.
Your work is so wonderful and well rounded, thank you for sharing such a huge part of your lives! Love the belly button moment haha
Oh wow, I loved this series! Would love check ups on the progress with J! Good luck to your new family 🧡🧡
Fantastic series! I found it via Reckoning with the Primal Wound. Blessings for your family and extended family through open adoption.
I live in Sacramento and I think I’ve met Asha’s mom before. But what you guys are doing is amazing ❤️
I love these videos! You guys are awesome! 💕💕💕💕💕
Oh my gosh I loved every second of this season please have more!!!!
Aww so proud! J is so lucky to have you guys as parents and he will definitely grow up knowing you guys contributed to the fostercare system in a posative way. I wouldn't be surprised if that rubs off on him a bit and he could eventually foster too.
Best series! So happy
I am crying with you!!! Everybody needs love and deserves to be loved! ❤💛💙💚🧡💜 I am still looking to feel that way.
yes please vlog , we are so filled with kindness
This is so beautiful.
His outfit is just adorable 🥰
Absolutely adore this
What a BEAUTIFUL story!!!!!! Lord your toddler is so cute.
this just melts my heart ❤
This is beautiful 💕
ugh so precious
If you anxiety over open adoption, i invite you to start a discussion and talk about how you feel. Open adoption continues to prove vital for children of the the adult youre staying in contacted with is a Healthy person for the child.
we need more foster system stories!
I can't wait to see the blog and 10 years about how you guys deal with teenagers...... good luck with that he is cute now wait until he's older 😂
If I was 30 years younger and I had a choice of my parents they would be you too you happen to be the most loving people I have ever seen acceptance caring and understanding it's all a child needs and you guys have all of that
This was amazing to watch! I really didn’t want this show to end haha. I wonder how they’re doing now 😊
Updates, please! So invested in your story.
Watching for a second time now. Why this series doesn’t have 10 x more views is beyond me.
oh man - so unbelievably sad that this series is over. where can I keep up with your family?
Glad there aren't any nasty racist comments yet... it's CZcams, after all. Beautiful story.
There is so much diversity in this story! It's amazing!
He's the most good looking child I have ever seen!
I agree. He is so beautiful.
Beautiful!
Well done!
Omg every time... crying like a baby. 😭😭😭
Does anyone know if there has been any update since this series ended?
beautiful
For All of those considering becoming adoptive parents (and even foster care parents), please read the book The Primal Wound: Understanding the Adoptive Child. It will give enlightenment on behavior and mental health of the child and understanding genetics about desiring a biological bond. Please and thank you, signed An Adult that was Adopted as a child out of Foster Care.
I’m crying in the club rn
All 7 of my children’s name begin with the letter J. What does his J stand for or is it Jay? I watched the series on this journey and literally I saw love at first sight when you saw him at the hospital.
Ummm why is this baby so adorable!??!
♥️
More F word !!please, somehow :)
Please update us when J visits his biological grandmother.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Wait no more please! I love this family. I have been doing a lot of reflection and thinking about fostering and hearing from others means a lot to me.
Oh no. I'll mourn the loss of the F Word if it's over... :(
Man I wish a rich gay couple adopted me
Maybe respect that they don't want a lot of contact right now. Seriously, pushing contact before they're ready can be just as harmful.
Awaiting August an occasional text letting grandma know the door is still open is beautiful. Grandma has the opportunity to say no contact please if she wants.
@@GoTeddy right also connect to his racial and biological roots
I'm just speaking from experience, as someone who adopted a distant (non-biological) family member and has an adopted sister whose biological family did not want contact. Everyone's experience is different, it's just something to keep in mind.
@@GoTeddy that's true.
If I didn't have four children myself I would have already fostered and probably adopted a few children it's in my heart to take every child that needs a home but as you all know it's not always possible financially I don't want to check from the government I want to be able to take care of them on my own luckily I'm only 32 in my oldest is 13 so by the time I am 43 all of my children will be grown and I can do it my plan is to foster children older children who can't get adopted so they will always have a home to come back to I will always be mommy number two that's my dream and I hope it happens
just
It is important for children to be adopted by parents of the same race.
I disagree.
Grandma might not know how too text , some aren't use to the technology.
Also why are comments ok for this but not any other CZcams station with kids. That's wrong.
What???
Bitches batta know! J GOES HARD! He'll eat the cake! He'll eat your face! He'll eat the presents! GO HARD OR GO HOME!
4th comment xD
It's just my opinion but why are they pushing so hard to be in these people's lives. The child was given up for adoption. Let the child go look for his mother when he becomes of age and make that decision to meet her again. Give it a god damn break...you are intruding
It's about the child knowing where he came from esp being of another race. Knowing his roots in a way that white women can't give them. Reaching out to grandma tells her that they are still open and there when she is ready. The texts were likely a few months apart but edited for the vlog. -your friendly social worker (who does not work with this couple but understands this stuff)
I agree with the previous commenter. Signed, An adult that was adopted as a child out of foster care and my adoption was closed. Oh and btw, I'm now a social worker. So I know about this stuff too.
@@jessa.4529 completely agree!
Closed is needed at times if the birth family isn't safe or if some member isn't safe but the family doesnt see it that way. It's not always selfish its sometimes for safety for the child, and the adoptive parents (and if other children theirs too) every story is different and nothing is black and white sometimes the as sad as it is you have to do closed adoption.
Also this is making a bigger separation between blacks and whites. Sorry I know from my family isn't not so bad. They only interview the sad stories not the ones who felt no difference etc. Please do that so you dont keep this crap going on. Show both sides. Or show whites who had black parents cause it happens.