What It Means To Be Adopted

by: Author Unknown,

Teacher Debbie Moon's first-graders were discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the picture had different color hair than the other family members.

One child suggested that he was adopted, and a little girl named Jocelynn Jay said, "I know all about adoptions because I'm adopted."

"What does it mean to be adopted?" asked another child."It means," said Jocelynn, "that you grew in your mother's heart instead of her tummy."

Is There a Best Time?

by: Author Unknown,

Many wonder when is the best time to tell a child that they are adopted. It's simple. There is no right or wrong time to tell your child. If we as parents of an adopted child wait until the "child is old enough to understand", we will be waiting until adulthood. The earlier you tell you child, the better it will be on you and the child as well. Explaining to your child is a gradual and repeated process, with each explanation becoming more detailed as the child's understanding of their adoption increases. It isn't going to be an easy task, and we as adoptive parents must always be prepared and aware of what our possible reactions might be. Remember that the topic of adoption for most is a very personal and private topic. When talking to your child about their adoption, make it in a setting where is it you and the child alone. It's up to you on how you talk about the adoption, when to talk about it, and where. Take into consideration that a relaxed and quiet environment is probably going to serve you best when you do decide to discuss the issues that lead up to your child's adoption. Most importantly, remember to always be honest with your child about any questions they might have, no matter how hard it may be for you. We want to protect our children from all that pain and suffering, but the child, after all, has a right to know about their birth history. Lastly, always, no matter how your discussions of their adoption ends, always let them know that you love them, no matter what.

Chosen Child

by: Author Unknown,

I had to tell you Dearest Heart,

that you are not my own;

for fear some meddler would impart that knowledge which is

known-that I adopted you to start a home for us alone.

I tried to make it plain to you.

I hope you understood; my friends all

had one child or two,

their lives seemed full and good;

and there was nothing else to do but find you, if I could.

You see, God did not grant my prayer and let me bear a child;

and so I sought you everwhere until the day you smiled and snuggled as I

stroked your hair, and you became my child.

No natural mother has a choice of blondes or deep brunettes.

Therefore, mychosen child, rejoice and have no vain regrets;

remember, that first day you smiled I claimed you for my own.

I hope that youare reconciled to have the secret known;

that you are Mother's chosen child, my child and mine alone.

The Legacy of An Adopted Child

by: Author Unknown,

Once there were two women, who never knew each other.

One you do not remember, the other you call Mother.

Two different lives, shaped to make you one.

One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it.

The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name.

One gave you a talent, the other gave you aim.

One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears.

One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.

One sought for you a home that she could not provide,

The other prayed for a child, and her hope was not denied.

And now you ask me, through your tears,

The age old question, unanswered through the years.

Heredity or environment, which are you a product of?

Neither my darling, neither.

Just two different kinds of love.

You Know You're An Adoptive Parent When . . .

by: Author Unknown,

1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's "real" parents.
7. You have ever been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth.(2 years!)
8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.
9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
12. You know what the word "Dossier" means, and you can actually pronounce it!
13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.

Met for the Second Time

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

It started last spring when my daughter signed on to the Internet.
She found it very interesting and kept asking me to try it. At age 50, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to learn what I would need to know. I kept declining.
Finally, after some encouragement and being reminded of how I had learned to use the computer, I conceded. I have to admit that it was very enjoyable and I found so many interesting things.
Then one day, I typed in the word "adoption" on a search engine. I couldn't believe all the stuff that came up. I became obsessed.
You see, I had a baby boy when I was a teen and I relinquished him to adoption, but I never stopped thinking about him and praying for his well being. I had been waiting since 1985 for my birth son to contact me. He turned 18 that year, and I, along with many other birth moms, was told during the time of relinquishment that when he became 18 he would be able to obtain information on me that would allow him to make contact.
That was wrong, but I didn't find that out until last year. I thought that since my birth son had never contacted me, he was not interested in knowing who I was or in obtaining any identifying information. Most people, that have never been connected to anyone that has been adopted or relinquished a baby, have no idea what the majority of them deal with.
The birth mother always wondering if her child had a good life, if he/she is safe, and the dreaded thoughts of whether he/she is dead. The adoptee, wondering why, wondering who they look like, what nationality they are, and what their medical history is. We are all denied the right to know any of this because of state laws.
By February 1999 I had been searching the internet for 10 months, contacting the Court and Children and Youth Services and not receiving one shred of hope. I was told that I had no rights and there was nothing I could do.
I was ready to give up.
I prayed and told God that I knew it was out of my control and if it was His will He would make it happen. I would wait on Him.
The following week, with God guiding me to read a post written on the Internet by a birth mom angel, I was given one last thing to do before I quit.
The post didn't have much in it, just that she had a baby girl at St. Vincent's in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a social worker from CSS had reunited her with her daughter. Something inside me told me to write to this woman and ask her about her reunion with her daughter and how it came about. She wrote and told me to call a number in Philadelphia and ask a social worker if they could help.
Six weeks later I met my son, Joseph, for the second time in 32 years.
I was the beneficiary of a miracle. I could write so much more about the details, but they are not of importance. What is important, is the fact that we should never stop believing in miracles.
May you all be blessed with your own miracle, and if there is anyone out there that is thinking about a lost loved one, don't ever give up that faith, hope or love.