Adoption Training 1

So I'm sitting in bed after a very intense day of training in preparation for adoption.  DH and I are really tired and to be honest, I really don't have the energy to write a lot but I do want to document the process we are going through .... here we go! 

Today, the course introduced the process of adoption, the children looking for a permanent home and the impact of adopting children who have suffered abuse or nelgect.  The day was sobering and also exciting.  The harsh reality of what adoption involves has begun to set in.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, adoption is NOT a cure for infertility but rather a ministry.  You are dealing with children who have suffered some terrible things and you are aiming to provide them with the stability they need.

A friend who is currently pregnant mentioned that being a parent is all about sacrifice - she expressed that this is evident even during pregnancy as her body adjusts to cater for the needs of her baby.  Today her comments came back to my mind as I thought about the fact that adoption makes this exact fact very obvious.  The process is not so much about DH and I becoming parents but more about a child finding a safe and secure home where they can thrive and heal from the previous experiences.  That's ministry - and as ever ministry equates to sacrifice!

The course really forced us to examine our ideas about adoption carefully.  If any of the prospective adopters arrived with a picture of a loving child who runs into their arms with delight saying "mummy",  the course today made it very clear that this may not be the case at all.  As an adoptive parent, you are dealing with the mistakes of the others.  Therefore you may find yourself parenting a child who has delayed development or who does and says inappropriate things in front of family and friends.  How do you handle the rejection when your child pushes you away everytime you want to comfort them or give them a hug?  Or displays violent behaviour at a children's party?

On the other hand, the prospect of being able to give a child the stability they need leaves a wonderful warm feeling inside. 

DH and I have space in our home and our hearts to give that to a child (or two!).  So as I lay in bed, contemplating the events of the day, I can't help feeling that maybe DH and I have found where we belong.


Watch this space!
Cece
xxx