If you believe TV and movies, adoption is pretty easy, you happily somehow “sign up” to adopt, maybe get a home visit from a smiling social worker, or sometimes the situation is not realistic and suddenly you receive a made to order child. Maybe in the movies, but in real life, not so much. Some movies that deal with this topic you may not even realize are very popular today, like The Blind Side, Elf, Disney’s Tarzan, Superman, Kung Fu Panda 2 and many more. Adoption is not like in the movies and is very challenging emotional and mental process. During the adoption process, you will find yourself making life-changing decisions that can be both exciting and stressful.
People who decide to adopt are willingly and lovingly jumping feet first into a pretty grueling process. Emotionally, spiritually, legally, financially and even physically, the end to end adoption procedure is an obstacle course. At times, in the 11th hour, when the house is ready, the parent or parents are ready, the social support is in place, and everyone is excited, the biological parent might change her mind.
But…. it most often works out. And these wonderful people who have adopted a child, or maybe multiple children, have done something amazing. They have radically accepted another person, no matter from where that person came, what they have been through, what they look like, what skills they might have, or not have. They have open heartedly said “you are part of our family, and we love and accept you for who you are and who you will become”.
Adoption is a leap of faith, a commitment, and a life changing act of unconditional love.
One way to teach this to our precious adoptees is through reading at an early age. This is best done through communication and learning to understand all the needs of child while going through this sometimes difficult process. It’s important that the young adoptee has many unseen questions answered. Children’s books that teach kids to understand life’s challenges and what they might face after adoption at an early age can be very beneficial.