Workshop Series

W.I.S.E. Up! Workshop

Date: Saturday, October 15, 2011
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Place: 1 Phalanx Road in Colts Neck, New Jersey. - in the Spiritual Center

Fee: $80 MOCAFSG Members and $90 non members per family includes the W.I.S.E. Up! Powerbook

Workshop facilitated by Infertility and Adoption Counseling Center www.iaccenter.com and Sponsored by Monmouth/Ocean County Adoptive Families Support Group, LLC

**Refreshments will be served**

This workshop is for pre-adoptive and adoptive parents, adoptive children ages 6-11; and we are offering a NEW Option: Non-adopted siblings are also expected to know a lot about adoption. They are welcome to attend, learn the skills and share in a special small group discussion just for them. The W.I.S.E. Up! Workshop is for pre-adoptive and adoptive parents, as well as adopted children ages 6 - 11. Some families like to bring non-adopted siblings as well.

Did you know nearly every adopted child is asked questions about their adoption? For children in transracial families, they may also be asked questions about their race. This may start as early as age 3 with: "Why don't you look like your mom?” For others, it may not begin until ages 6, 7 or even 8 with: “Why were you adopted?” or “Where is your real mother?”

Now you can empower your child with W.I.S.E. Up! The nationally recognized tool developed by C.A.S.E. to help parents just like you empower their children to handle comments and questions; and to decide the most comfortable ways to communicate about their adoption story with others. This workshop is facilitated by IAC Center Counselors with adults who were adopted as assistants and the workshop is facilitated by IAC Center Counselors with adult adoptees as assistants and speakers. The format includes separate and joint sessions for parents and for children.

In this workshop parents and children will learn:

• Strategies and tools to deal effectively with difficult adoption-related situations
• A common language to use in communicating about these issues within the family
• To feel empowered when confronted with inappropriate comments and questions

For additional information about the workshop content and to discuss whether your child is ready, contact the IAC Center at 609-737-8750 or via email at info@iaccenter.com. For registration problems, contact Kristen Murphy at 732-670-7103 or via email at kkilgan875@aol.com Seating is limited. Pre-registration is required and should be completed at least one week prior to the event. Payment must be received in order to confirm your registration. Cancellations must be received at least three days prior to the event. Unfortunately, there is no babysitting available for this event.