CALLING ALL UK ADOPTIVE PARENTS! We have until 9am tomorrow (Tuesday 8th March) to complete this very quick survey (2 mins) to contribute to the parliamentary debate next Monday on whether statutory adoption pay should be made available to self-employed people. The imbalance, in case you've missed it: ✔️ Employed people qualify for statutory maternity pay. ✔️ Employed people qualify for statutory adoption pay. ✔️ Self-employed people qualify for maternity allowance. ❌ Self-employed people receive ZERO financial support from the government towards adoption leave. The government response to the petition says that the adoption agency can contribute towards their adoption leave if they want to. But Adoption agencies don't have unlimited funds and won't always be able to do this, and they won't allow someone to adopt if they can't take a decent period of time off with the child, for many good reasons. This absurd imbalance is discrimination against self-employed people wishing to adopt. The survey is really quick to do and is open until 9am on Tuesday. Have your say! https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/VQ6DWN/ #adoption #adoptiveparent #adopt #adoptingagain #adoptionislove #adoptionuk #adoptioncommunityuk https://www.instagram.com/p/CazoIKJM_AE/?utm_medium=tumblr

I've been tagged in some lovely posts on social media, but the first Amazon review is up for "Adopting a Little Brother or Sister" and Zoe and I are delighted ❤ #adoption #adoptionbooks #adoptionbooksforkids #adoptingagain #hopingtoadopt #adoptingasibling #homestudyapproved #parenting #waitingfamily #adoptionislove #adopter #hopetoadopt #adoptsiblings #newbaby #adoptionshower #adoptionawareness #adoptingsiblings #lovebooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CW-coSeMh6h/?utm_medium=tumblr

New adoption book for big brothers and sisters now on Amazon! My daughter and I have created another book 😊 Some of you will have seen "Adopting a Little Brother or Sister," which has been out for a month and covers the adoption process in a child-friendly way. This new book "So You've Adopted a Sibling" is for when the child has moved in, and explores the emotions and changes to routine that come with a sibling joining the family through adoption. My little Zoe created the illustrations ❤ #adoption #adoptionbooks #adoptionbooksforkids #adoptingagain #hopingtoadopt #adoptingasibling #homestudyapproved #newbook #bookstagram #adoptionislove #adoptionrocks #adopter #hopetoadopt #adoptsiblings #newbaby #adoptionshower #adoptionshowerideas https://www.instagram.com/p/CW6I4GNsHYT/?utm_medium=tumblr

Phew, that was one tough week! Both children have colds and coughs, which have been disrupting everyone's sleep, so they are extremely overtired and struggling to cope with the slightest disappointment! We are having our kitchen done, so there are lots of things around that look interesting, but that 😩they can't touch! Terrible timing! Pic is from my & Zoe's next book, "So You've Adopted A Sibling." Zoe's illustration really captures the mood in our house at all mealtimes this past week! Cannot wait for this cold to pass, and for my children to sleep well and be their normal cheery selves again! New book will be available on Amazon THIS COMING WEEK, so keep an eye out for it if you have a child already and you're adopting #2 or more! Help your children to cope with their big feelings, so your week can be happier than mine! ...unless they have colds, in which case you're doomed, and my only advice is to make sure you have enough chocolate! That has just about kept me sane this week! 😂 #siblings #adoptsiblings #adoptingagain #hopingtoadopt #homestudyapproved #adoption #adoptionbook #adoptionbooksforkids #coldsaretheworst #family #itsnotcovid https://www.instagram.com/p/CWy8aFDss6w/?utm_medium=tumblr

I've always loved using stories to help children to process big feelings. Snuggled up, looking at a book, is one of the times when children feel safest to share their worries. My books are all designed to help talk through big feelings about adoption and foster care, and they include suggested questions for discussion in the back, which you can use to stimulate conversation. ❤ One of the biggest changes a child can experience is another child joining the family. "Adopting a Little Brother or Sister" is available on Amazon and Waterstones now, and I'm excited to reveal that "So You've Adopted a Sibling" will be published next month! #adoption #hopingtoadopt #adoptingagain #adoptingasibling #hopetoadopt #hopetoadoptababy #adoptingsiblings https://www.instagram.com/p/CWk6zK9MpF8/?utm_medium=tumblr

"Adopting a Little Brother or Sister" is now available on Amazon! My daughter created the illustrations, so I'm hugely biased, but I just adore her art ❤️ To find it easily, just search "Holly Marlow" on Amazon! #adoption #adoptionislove #adoptionjourney #adoptingagain #hopingtoadopt #prospectiveadopter #ukadoptioncommunity #ukadoption #adoptionjourneyuk #adoptionbook https://www.instagram.com/p/CVxwJL6sO1M/?utm_medium=tumblr