The way we found out about our son’s adoptive agency was through a friend. My husband worked with a man who had just adopted a child. We planned a dinner date so that we could get to know them better and learn more about adoption. It was nice knowing someone who had just adopted. We could talk to them about our concerns and ask questions we weren’t comfortable asking our social worker. We ended up becoming really good friends with this couple. This was the start of finding support groups.
When we started the adoption process they helped us complete all the paperwork and create our family profile book. Most importantly, they were there for emotional support. To be able to pick up the phone and get support when you’re having a hard day is priceless. Believe me, when you are going through adoption you will have hard days and hopeful days. You will need support.
A couple of weeks after our son arrived in our home, our friends brought us dinner and guided the transition. As our children got older they were able to play together and go to each other’s birthday parties. I loved that my son had a friend who was also adopted. As my son began to understand more about adoption, we shared that his friend, Reese, was adopted too. He thought that was cool.
Three years after we adopted our son, our friends went through the adoption process again. This time we were able to be the ones to offer support. It was a blessing to us that we were able to be there for them.
The agency we decided to adopt our daughter from believed it was very important to surround yourself with others who had adopted. We were asked to get together with two couples that were in the process of adopting. We met at the park a couple of times and went out to eat. The other couples had not been adopted yet but did have biological children. My husband and I were able to offer support. They had many questions similar to the ones we once had.
I do not know what we would have done without our friend’s advice and encouraging words. No one else understood what we were going through. They did. We will be thankful to them for the rest of our lives.
Yes, you do have your family and friends for support, but it’s not the same as someone who has had similar experiences as you. Now my son has several friends that are adopted. I believe it is important for him to also be surrounded by kids that have similar experiences. They will be able to talk to one another about their birth stories when they get older. He will have friends that will understand his emotions. What a gift we can give to our children.
Are you and your partner ready to start the adoption process? Visit Adoption.org or call 1-800-ADOPT-98 to begin your adoption journey. We have 130+ years of adoption experience and would love to help you.
