Adoption vs Natural Birth – Response
Thank you to all the commenters on our original Adoption vs Natural Birth post. You’ve been inspirational!
I myself have 2 adopted cousins, both of whom adore me. I rarely think of them as adopted unless I’m thinking about how my aunt was never ready for a kid, much less two of them. However, my wife and I have a stable home, a steady income, and something of a plan for the future (none of which my aunt had or has).
In our hometowns, a certain mentality exists against certain races or nationalities. We feel that we could love anyone that comes into our home, but certain family members seem to be incapable of doing the same.
We have researched a bit into foreign adoptions from countries like China, Russia, Guatemala, and some eastern European areas. The cost and time commitment is incredible, and we feel there ARE so many children in our own country that need families. However, we’ve heard quite a few people saying that international adoption is much quicker and less painful than a U.S. adoption.
What’s your own experience?
yeah, one set of grandparents loved me, the other from what I was told was a racist. my dad gave my grandmother an ultimatum evidentally.
I admit, I’ve never really been on your site before, but this one just seemed like a question that would fit my past.
I am the oldest child in my family. I was naturally born and have one biological sister. When I was 12, my family adopted a 2 and a 3 year old. Life quickly changed for me, but it never felt strange. I know for me they almost immediately became part of the family and in a very short time (less than a year) I could not have imagined my family without them. Ever since I have always thought of them as family.
In regard to race, that has been an issue a few times for us. My family is white and my adopted siblings are black. At first it was hard for one of my grandfather’s to adjust to that, but he was soon won over. The only other race issues have been very occasional bad service in restaurants (mostly when we lived in the South, but also in the North).
As to ease, it took my parents a long time to get the adoption. We adopted domestically and tried to go through Children’s Services. My parents wasted two years with them before a friend referred them to Catholic Charities. Although my family is not Catholic, the organization got us on the “fast track” and we were finally able to adopt.
Hope that helps. Good luck–as other people have said, you have a win-win decision!