There is no Adoption Stork
We know that Baby-delivering storks of our childhood cartoons aren't real—I have to inform you that there is no adoption stork either.
On Grief, Love and Openness
Things don't have to be perfect to be important, meaningful, and worthy and neither do people. I am committed to loving my children so wholly, that I accept every part of their story and everyone who is a part of it.
How I Pulled Myself Out of Compassion Fatigue
“You’re at risk for Compassion Fatigue.”… It supressed my full capacity to love and show empathy. Hope of restoring my vibrant inner being faded.
In what ways am I still his father?
Before his last offence, he was still asking us if we would take him back when he gets out of the centre. What do you say to your child, who you have always wanted and supported even when he became so unpredictable?
Let’s Talk About Permanency
CW… Some may say that is a bit too graphic or an unnecessary detail… but I’m here to share my story.
There is no perfect recipe for family
It’s taboo to say it, naming it makes us feel guilty, but this placement changed our lives for the better. It also saved my life.
“Un-Trying” the Holidays
Consider a dictionary definition of the word holiday: “a day of festivity or recreation when no work is done”. Wow. I am fairly certain that if I go with this definition, I have not had a holiday since 2001 (the last year that I was child free).
I Don’t Like Christmas
Putting up tinsel and garland, pulling out the Christmas scented soaps, plugging in colourful lights, hanging the word JOY over her bed. She LOVES Christmas. I… do not.
Why My Adoption Story is a Climate Story
Intertwined personal and political factors led to my decision to adopt: I was turning 40, single, wanting children, and afraid it might be too late. I was also keenly aware of the environmental impact of adding another child to an overcrowded planet—that didn’t stop the wanting, it just added a layer of guilt and doubt.
From the co-authors of “The Promise”
"originally appeared in the Winter 2014 issue of the NACAC adopt talk magazine."
Christen:
After having two biological sons my husband and I decided to adopt in order to expand our family, and in 2010 we welcomed a sibling set of four—three girls and a boy, ages 3, 5, 7 and 9—into our lives and hearts. Despite knowing families often faced challenges in the early stages of placement, I was unprepared for the reality of what would occur—that it would be the greatest challenge of my life, and that it would kick my feet out from underneath me. I felt as though I was drowning in trauma and a safe shore was too distant. All six of my children, both biological and adopted, were drowning with too. I couldn’t even save myself, let alone everyone else.