Responses From Our Community
Question From an Adoptive Parent
“What do you wish your adoptive parents had understood about adoption when you were growing up?”
The reflections below were shared by members of our community in response to this question. Each response represents one person's lived experience and should not be interpreted as speaking for everyone who shares that experience.
Responses are shared anonymously unless the contributor requested otherwise. Some may have been lightly edited for spelling, punctuation, grammar, or length without changing the meaning of the contributor's words.
I don’t have their DNA
The obvious, that an adoptee is part of both families and there should be zero guilt levied as a result of being connected, or close to either, or both. But also….This is for either bio or adoptive families. Any relationship formed between the families has to be at the speed and level that is comfortable to the adoptee.
I wish my adoptive parents had realized I wasn’t a blank slate when they got me and would have understood that I have emotions and they should not be disregarded.
That it didn't need to be a secret from anyone. Let alone ME.
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