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.
2025-2026 Meeting Schedule
Story Sharing and Connections
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 (6:30-8pm)
Facilitators: Cara & Janniene
Let’s kick off the year with a get-to-know-you meeting. We’ll run an introduction exercise, and we invite you to bring your adoption journey to share.
Relationships
Monday, November 3, 2025 (6:30-8pm)
Facilitator: Cara
This session will be about how the stress of waiting for adoption or parenting impacts your couple relationship. We’ll discuss weathering the storms, managing stress, and building resilience.
Building Support Networks
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 (6:30-8pm)
Facilitator: Janniene, In-Person at AO Calgary
Facilitator: Cara, online
Join Janniene for a Coffee House style meeting. Join Cara with your mug of tea or hot chocolate.
At both groups we will brainstorm in-person social adoption support networks.
Challenging Situations
Monday, January 12, 2026 (6:30-8pm)
Facilitator: Cara
Let’s discuss the situations that scare us or make us uncomfortable. We’ll dig into placement considerations from the perspective of lived experience. Bring your adoption stories and your apprehensions about making decisions about your current placement considerations.
Joint BPG & APG Meeting
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 (6:30-8pm)
Facilitators: Billi & Janniene
This is an opportunity for birthparents and adoptive parents to come together, share stories, and ask and answer questions about their adoption experiences.
The Wait
Monday, March 16, 2026 (6:30-8pm)
Facilitator: Cara
In this group, we’ll sink into the wait. From each other we can learn different perspectives about the adoption journey. We’ll discuss where hope comes from, and how to live meaningfully through this season.
Attachment & Identity
April 2026 (Date and Time TBD)
Facilitator: Janniene
Guest Speaker: Chantelle Beach
Former AO social worker, current MSW therapist at Vital Soul Counselling, Chantelle Beach will share insight on attachment and identity formation within adoption.
Openness in Adoption
Monday, May 4, 2026 (6:30-8pm)
Facilitator: Cara
Let’s talk all things about openness: how to build relationships; what to do when there isn’t any openness; what openness between you and your child looks like; what openness looks like to your family and friends – bring your experiences and questions!
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.