One of the reasons most folks decide to adopt from China is because there (thanks to the One-Child Policy and a host of other, less noticeable reasons), one doesn't run into any funny business with what the professionals call "termination of parental rights."

Except, well, the Washington Post says it *can* happen.

The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled yesterday that a 7-year-old girl raised by an American couple since infancy must be returned to her Chinese parents, who say they never intended to give her up for adoption.

Shaoqiang He,... more

Here's more of the packing conversation from the China Adoption Forums, continued from yesterday:

Quote: 5. For the 2 weeks, how many outfits or types of clothes do you think would be a good amount (trying not to overpack, but also want enough clothes for convenience)

I'm one of those people who did a little bit of laundry in the hotel room, and sent clothes out to the laundry once. So really, as little as possible. This does depend on where you're going when -- Beijing seems to have... more

I've been hanging out around the China Adoption Forums lately, and found myself answering someone's questions about packing for the trip.

It's fairly useful information -- well, the questions are useful. My answers are, uh, well, hopefully useful too.

Originally Posted by ElectricGypsy 1. How many suitcases did you end up bringing? We went COO (carry-on only), and bought a suitcase to take home with us. Actually, the first time, since my mother was along, we had one checked bag on the way out. But I'd definitely recommend buying what you need there and... more

This was taken in my back yard, with son (son!) and the chickens. But it might be China....

I know this... this *sound*. I've referred to it before as the Rodan shriek.

I didn't know it could be quite *so* deadly.

But Reuters reports here from Nanjing about a 4-year-old who kills with his screams.

Hundreds of chickens... more

China Daily reports on an unusual new angle for domestic adoptions in China.

Picture your S.W.I. being run like American Idol....

A well-educated retired couple in Wuhan want to adopt a daughter.

Nothing wrong with that, except that they want a grown-up and well-educated woman and their criteria are as tough as those, as many people say, for the "Super Girls" competition.

The elderly couple want their adopted daughter to be between 25 and 40, with a college or higher degree, but without living parents. She should be... more

Latest odd news out of China illustrates the paradoxical power of Chinese women, I think: Text messages shame thief into returning stolen cell phone.

A motorcyclist snatched a middle school teacher's bag, containing her cell phone, bank cards and the equivalent of $630 in cash.

She sent him 21 text messages saying things like:

"I'm... more

So, we're up to Great Exceeding (dà guò), and nearing the halfway point of our glancing blow at the I Ching.

Why is this stuff on a blog about Chinese adoption?

Because it's a cornerstone of Chinese (and Asian) culture, showing up on everything from bus stops to names... more

That's all.

I would've been just as satisfied with "Baba" or "Papí" or "Pops" or even "Señor."

It's been, what, 10 months of parenthood, 8 months of "Mama" this and "Mama" that, and finally, I come home last night to a running baby boy saying "DAT-da!" Said it again this morning, just to prove he meant it.

Is good.

Don't do this.

Unless absolutely necessary.

One of my blog colleagues has written a couple of interesting entries on the "missing orphans" in China's system.

Is China "running out" of orphans? Well, she thinks not...

(Excerpts pulled largely out of context, but still should make sense.)

Can China be running out of orphans? Does the 6,493 that were adopted by American families in 2006 make such a dent in the numbers... more