This Reality Show Called Adoption Life
“I’m thinking about adopting.”
At least once a week I read a message like this from someone wanting information about adoption. I am open. I talk and write about adoption here often. Friends know I will always answer. And I do. I find them resources, or answer their questions about why, or how long, or where do I go? Sometimes I simply let them know that the wait is worth it.
I answer the questions one by one and hope others will follow through and discover all that I love about adoption. There are many roads to parenthood. BOTTOM LINE. There will always be children in need of stable and loving homes. It is a sad reality and yet that’s also how I became a parent and therefore it is also beautiful. I mostly have learned to take the highs with the lows and the happy with the sad. If you can’t do that then I’m just going to put it right out there – you might not be the best candidate for a role in ADOPTION LIFE.
In fact, let’s explore that theme for a minute..
ADOPTION LIFE
If you love September, March, June, birthdays and December still, well give all that up and you can star in Adoption LIFE. Just trust me on this. There are still a lot of glorious and magical months in which to parent beatific cherub children. Just not these particular months. These will be trigger and transition months. Expect outbursts and mood swings..M’Kay..moving on.
On the other hand if you love learning and enjoy always being kept on your toes well you are a shoe in for a role on ADOPTION LIFE.
If you like answering hard questions while driving down the highway, well that’s parenthood essentially. But there’s one slight difference on Adoption Life. The questions will be extremely deep and painful. You will need a thick skin and a non judgmental voice. Perhaps you are good at tennis or volleyball. Fast reflexes are good.
“I know my birth Mom couldn’t raise me. But why didn’t someone help her?”
“Would you have given me away too if you were her?”
“Why did my birth dad also agree to adoption?”
YOU MUST BE BRAVE for this show. PERIOD.
Don’t pass go without your suit of armour.
You must find a hobby and take care of you or you will be replaced when your character collapses in Season 3 or Season 4.
There are days when this show Adoption Life is the farthest thing from my mind. Sometimes the plot of the show is almost boring. Wake up, get ready for school, go to school and work and then return home. Dinner together and then extracurriculars and we are racing out the door to do all those other things. Martial arts. Swimming. Skiing, Horseback riding, acting and singing and then make your lunch for the next day. Shower, rinse and repeat. It’s wonderfully sane at times until …(cue sound of screeching brakes) it’s not.
IF you can stay calm during chaos and lots of emotional outbursts, then you are the ideal candidate for ADOPTION LIFE.
You know those TV shows and movies on TV featuring an adoption theme. Aren’t they beautiful? You watch to that amazing Happy Adoption Scene moment and feel fuzzy and warm and cry. I know you do. So here’s the thing…ADOPTION LIFE is what happens when the Happy Fuzzy Adoption Day ends.
In the real life version of my reality show called Adoption Life, I feel confident saying yes there are many days you’d want to switch the channel. Some days it is life like any other family. Mundane, sweet, happy and sometimes brighter than all the planets smooshed together. Other days you are sworn at, or kicked, lied to, or generally beat down by a tiny, or even hormonal tyrant living in the same home.
It is an EMMY Award-winning show. Of that I have no doubt. It’s the best show in town and it runs on all the channels 24/7. It is heartbreaking, fulfilling and rich, and also often painful. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Some of this is clearly tongue in cheek.
However, I hope you know that if you want to star in this show, you need to start preparing for the audition immediately. Gather all the resources you are able now. Make friends who are adoptive parents, or about to become adoptive parents. Read, source, ask questions, don’t give up, learn and take care. I am still betting on you.
25 Comments
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
This sounds like an interesting show. I’ve never actually thought about all the pitfalls that might come with adopting. It makes sense, though. It’s a very unique situation.
Jennifer Van Huss
You are an amazing Mother! You would win an Emmy for your role in Adoption Life! Your girls have are amazing woman and you should be proud of your job!
Nancy @ whispered inspirations
Never heard of this show but definitely sounds interesting! I think couple that have a hard time having children should adopt it’s an amazing thing.
Elizaveta Hesketh
I am always impressed about families that adopt. I would like to possibly adopt some day as well. I am not sure exactly when, and my family is not completely ready, maybe some day. Bravo to you, for all that you do!
Jenny
I havent seen this show yet but it sounds like something i could get into. I would have adopted if we didnt get our daughter.
Nancy L.
You are truly a special person, Paula. 🙂 Most parents I know who have adopted a child end up adopting more than just one. I have one friend who adopted a child from a young, Amish girl who was unmarried. The child has since graduated from high school (top of her class) and is studying to be a doctor. I’ve always felt that God had intended for the baby to become a doctor, but she never would have growing up Amish. I believe God gives you the child you are supposed to have (adopted or not).
Paula
That’s a great outcome for the child for sure. Thanks for commenting Nancy!
Chubskulit Rose
Just the other day, I was in my deep thoughts and imagined that ur cciden have a gown p and haethirwn lives. I thought ofadopting a child so hubby and I can have another one at home.
Erica
Adoption is something near and dear to my heart. My mom opted to raise me on her own while still pregnant. Shortly before I turned 3 months old, however, she met the man I call Dad 37 years later. Right before I started school his adoption of me was finalized – he wanted to be sure that happened before I had to learn to write my name and he was so proud for me to be writing his last name! I’m blessed to have my Dad!!
Angela Harris
Never heard of this show. But I would love to check it out after reading your post.
aly mashrah
I’ve never heard of that show, but it sounds really awesome. I would definitely watch it. I love learning more about different types of families.
Rebecca Swenor
The show Adoption Life is a great resource for those thinking about adoption. Adoption is a beautiful thing for so many children. It is so important for anyone who is thinking of adopting to research and know that it will not always be peaches & cream but that it will pay off in the end. Thanks for sharing the show and Kudos for spread awareness.
Lynndee
This is the first time that I’ve heard of the show. It sounds like a really interesting show. I will check it out.
Nicole Etolen
Oh, this is an interesting show. I will check more about this.
Risa
It takes some very strong people to adopt children. Most children that need to go through adoption, if they aren’t adopted as a newborn, have already been through so much in their lives. It’s an amazing role and kudos to all who take it on!
Nile
Sounds like a great show. Honestly, I’d love to see one on foster care. One of my friends has been running a foster home, and they are one of those who did it for the good of their hearts. I’ve even met some of them, as they are treated like family, no matter the race.
Thanks for sharing this. 🙂
Emily
It’s so easy to imagine how SO many emotions get involved with adoption, before, during and after! It is definitely a huge emotional undertaking.
diana
I’ve never heard of this show but I would love to check it out. I definitely want to adopt a child when I’m ready to settle down.
Gabriel
Some friends of our just adopted. They were looking for just one, but ended up with two, half-sisters who’s mom just wanted a better life for her kids. It’s pretty amazing to see them grow into a family.
Amber Killmon
These are truly hard questions and it takes a special person to answer them. You’re a great mom!
Kendall
This is amazing! There is a special place in heaven for those who adopt children, I think it’s amazing!
Jay Simms
I have never heard of this show, but it looks like it would be amazing. I am glad that there is a place kids can look to to find out these questions and the whys of what happened.
Kendall Rayburn
My husband and I have always talked about adoption, and I love how open and honest you are. Thank you for sharing your story openly!
Lee-Ann S
Beautifully written. The Adoption Show is always changing that’s for sure. In our little corner it usually revolves around a missing key family member. Unlike your girls though mine likes to ask her questions during the walk to school so I’m always worried thinking she’s going to keep wanting to discuss during school. Luckily she’s in a small class with 15 of the same kids she started school with so Adoption is a term they’re familiar with.
Sarah De Diego
You know that I’ll be watching and cheering you on. I am so impressed with all that you do for the adoption community.
Besos Sarah.