NBC’s “This Is Us” and adoption

This Is Us has to turned into one of the most talked about and watched NBC Prime-time shows of the fall and continues into Spring. To boil it down, the show focuses on three siblings and their family. Of course each character is diverse and the timing of the show is exquisite. However, one of the central ideas is the fact that a white family from Pittsburgh adopts a black newborn that was left at a firehouse. They do not delve into the gritty paperwork behind their adoption (if it happened at all in the 70’s), but they discuss the implication of this white family raising “triplets” and not fully understanding what it means to raise a black child. In the show, another black mother gave the family suggestions about basic care needs that they were unaware of, especially in a time without the internet. It was not a lack of love, but rather they were culturally unaware.

This is why cultural training is so important for families as well as being open to having a relationship for birth parents. This sense of connection to a deeper heritage is truly important for any adopted child. Rebecca Carroll is also a child adopted by a white family. She recently wrote an article for Vulture.  In her article she discusses how This Is US  nailed the terms of her childhood as well as how they differed. Seeing the narrative from a first hand, non-fictitious person helps to solidify the ideas that many adopted kiddos go through.

Please leave your thoughts in the comments.

Family Ties

Joan Oleck wrote an amazing story about her daughter from Russia and how Joan cherished the bond with her daughter’s birth parents. She would write to them and connect with them. The adoption was a forever act and a part of that was knowing what her daughter would have faced if her family would have parented her. Through writing with the birth family, Joan discovered that her daughter’s siblings had been adopted close by. She reached out to them to establish a bond for her daughter that most internationally adopted children do not get. Please read the article to see the full emotional journey Joan and her daughter’s birth family traveled together.

Considering An Older Child Adoption?

Orphanages and foster homes are filled with older children. Generally these kids are considered special needs, just due to their age. There are special things to consider when adopting an older child because they are grown and remember where they have come from and past experiences. They also may have developed a mistrust of adults and authority figures, making it harder to parent them. Below are a few articles to look over when considering older child adoption. 

expectant parents: are you thinking about adoption?

If you are thinking about placing a child for adoption it is a heavy and complicated decision to make. It is hard to know where to begin and who to turn to for advice or help. The Child Welfare Gateway is a collection of information for professionals and the community to educate themselves on many child welfare topics. They gathered information to form a fact sheet that offers some beginning information on the social and legal aspects as well as some questions you may want to ask yourself prior to creating an adoption plan. The most important thing is that any parent excepting has a great support system to help them in their decision making and will support them no matter the choice the parent-to-be makes.

The Archibald Project

The Archibald Project is an excellent resource for education about adoption journeys and orphan care programs around the world. They tell their story through articles, photos, and videos. They strive to educate the world on orphan stories and needs. The Project also works to bring good will to orphans globally through providing clothing, fresh water, education, and other needs. You can watch a short video on everything they have accomplished: 

But also take a look of the adoption stories through domestic, international, and foster care adoptions. One article features a domestic adoption  family, after two long years they welcomed home a newborn son. Read more about the Keywood familly here

Story of An Open Adoption

Amy Seek, a birth mother, wrote her story for the New York Times and was later featured on the Modern Love Podcast. She was a birth mother and remained very close with her adoptive family and son. They have a unique relationship that remains very open and loving. You can read the full story here.

A Birth Mother Shares Her Thoughts On Adoption

The Huffington Post had an article last year titled What One Woman Wishes She Had Known Before Placing Her Child For Adoption. They interviewed a birth mother who was open, honest, and truthful in her experiences though she states this was her experience and may not be that of any other birth parents. If you are a birth parent considering adoption, this is a great read that gives insight into the experience from someone who has developed an adoption plan. Also she has great suggestions on how to prepare to place a child and creating a support system is one of the biggest.

Open Adoption: Blended Family Concept

The video shows how open adoptions can morph and change into what the families want it to be. In this case, the family is trying a blended approach where the birth mother is very present in the life of her son and is considered a part of their family. Check it out and hopefully it will shed light on both sides of the domestic adoption process as well as the limitless options of an open adoption.

Adopting The Daughter They Have Parented For Two Years

Kyle and his wife, Jennifer, went into foster care not as a selfless task and he beautifully explains how they unexpectedly fell in love with the children placed in their care. Their little girl has been with them since she was one day old and now, at two years old,they have finally reached adoption day. I feel many of our foster care families can relate to the circumstances of their adoption. You can find the full article here. Please comment with the reasons you wish to adopt and some of the struggles (if any) you have experienced.