There are so many misconceptions regarding adoption. Mostly, those around us are simply unaware and uneducated about the topic. In the past, society has not always celebrated this occurrence or recognized that families are now made in so many different ways. We’re evolving from decades of living in a society that only recognized the “traditional” family and way of life. The concept of families is
My family just experienced a failed adoption. Many people in the adoption community somewhat balk at the term “failed adoption” because they believe it’s disrespectful to the parents who have bravely decided to parent instead of placing their child with an adoptive family. This is understandable. However, I can tell you first hand that it very much feels like a devastating failure for the hopeful
“When something goes wrong with children’s bodies, the reverberations penetrate deep into the consciousness of families and health professionals alike.” Susan McDaniel, Jeri Hepworth, and William Doherty, Medical Family Therapists Who of you parents have not stayed by the bedside of your child with a raspy cough, congested sinuses, warming temperature, or upset stomach? Illness is a strikingly predictable feature of childhood. Acute illness is bad
I have a confession to make. It may come as a surprise to many but I feel the need to come clean. I’m not a perfect parent. There…I said it! Now that your jaw is on the floor, perhaps I should confess everything else. Sometimes I: Ignore my children when they are talking to me Raise my voice Demand that they start acting like adults
As most adoption stories goes I was told I could not have kids or it would be really hard to have kids. To my shock when that little plus sign popped up. Never in my life time did I think I would ever have an unplanned pregnancy. I thought I would definitely need to try to have a baby, especially with me being on birth
When I was pregnant considering adoption I had no idea where to even start. I knew almost nothing about adoption. It kind of all felt like dead ends. I had no one on my side, I really only had my mother’s support. That was about it. I had a friend tell me I should do a pregnancy termination. Her reasoning was that I wouldn’t have
We live in a society of change and speed—high speed internet, fast food, express lanes, instant messaging, the list goes on. Life’s stressors can also come upon us both fast and unexpected. We may be, one minute, basking in comfort and security but one hiccup can shake up our lives, throwing us into a state of fear and uncertainty. As we dwell in a world
“Time and experience have taught me a priceless lesson: Any child you take for your own becomes your own if you give of yourself to that child. I have borne two children and had seven others by adoption, and they are all my children, equally beloved and precious.” --Dale Evans, Singer, Actress Most of us yearn for the opportunity to hold the title of mommy and
It will cost you. I’m not just talking money here. Although you may find yourself spending every last penny in your bank account, certainly. But adoption costs a lot more than that. Adoption is sacrifices. It’s compromise, waiting, and a lot of unknowns. It’s wanting to ask a million question and likely never getting an answer. It will cost you heartache and joy. It
We love to read. We always have. Our toddlers have adopted our reading habits and usually choose to look at books over most other toys. We began reading to our kids as soon as they were born. We’d hold them on our chest as they slept and we’d read the same books over and over. I believe that reading sparks their imagination and influences them