Adoptive Families Give Thanks

Thanksgiving centers on gratitude; that is the very reason for its existence. As adoptive parents we must be mindful of the hot button issue that often connects gratitude and adoption. Adoptees frequently hear that they “should” feel “lucky” that they were adopted and be grateful to their parents. This attitude/expectation ignores and trivializes the losses that co-exist with the benefits of adoption. Avoid commingling the desire to encourage gratitude with the burden of this misguided cultural expectation.

Yes, we can help children tally their blessings and observe the genuine spirit of Thanksgiving. As a family, we join together to give thanks and share the holiday. Joyfully celebrate the genuine treasures of our lives: the people we love and cherish, good health, and commitment to one another. Remember those present and those at a distance. Make space for all the important relationships in our families’ lives, birth and adoptive. We are all in this together! We are family. For a lifetime.

Remember too, that November is National Adoption Month and the purpose of that observance is to highlight the need for permanent families for kids in foster care. For too many children in foster care family remains a dream. Hold tight to those you love. Teach them good values, nurture their talents, and teach them well.

Consider sharing these Thanksgiving-themed books. They offer good opportunities for conversations about important themes like gratitude, history, truth-telling and the Promise that is America. For children adopted internationally, the book “How Many Days to America” gently describes some of the forces that drive people to choose to leave their country emigrate to the United States. Read the complete reviews on Writing to Connect.

Remember that both our original podcast, “Essentials for Adopted-attuned Parenting” and our newest podcast “Adoption Matters: Real People. Real Life. Real Talk on most podcast platforms.

How often have you yearned for support from someone who understands adoptive family life, someone who doesn’t judge you or your child for the struggles that you face? Wait no longer. Tune in and discover how our podcasts might help you and your family. Hear how other families handled similar situations. Experience a sense of judgment-free community, possibility, and hope. Click on this link and begin. How might this resource benefit your family?