Celebrating National Adoption Day

As a parent looking into adoption, I’m brand new to so many issues and complications that surround being an adopted family. I had no idea how many stigmas, intruding questions and judgments that adopting families face, and the more I read about it, the more it surprises me. I can’t image being asked probing questions like, “Is he yours?” or even, “Why did you adopt out of your race/country?” Now that I’m aware of it, though, I guess I can picture several people in my life who could say these things.

Adopting families are something to celebrate, not probe or even look down on. I know families who have adopted in the state and ones who have adopted abroad, and both have their own personal reasons why they made their decisions that are none of our business. I’m sure there are even families who’ve adopted that I don’t even know about because they don’t talk about it. I’m very interested in the “hows” but the “whys” and personal details are none of my business unless people wish to share. I am open to all advice, but I wouldn’t dream of pushing someone for personal details.

So the first thing I think we can do for National Adoption Day is to respect all families, no matter how they are built, and refrain from interrogating them. A Mighty Girl has a few books to use in celebrating National Adoption Day this year, but the link also has books for new adopting parents and other resources, too.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia