Parenthood and Adoption
Last night’s episode of Parenthood highlighted adoption. It was touching to see how the entire Braverman family surrounded Victor showing him the power of family love.
Most of you know I have a blended family. Our circumstances are different from the Braverman’s. My husband and I were both widowed when we married and each of us brought children to the marriage.
Because there were no other spouses involved we didn’t have to adopt each other’s children. But we did. We felt it important enough to spend money in court and to stand in front of a judge and say, “Yes, these boys are ours and we will treat each of them as natural-born children.”
We didn’t make the day as big of a deal as the Braverman clan. We did make the boys dress nice –not an easy thing to do when they were 9 and 4! Our celebration dinner probably included pizza. I can’t remember.
What I do remember is the feeling of gratitude when Andy said yes, he would accept me as his mother. It’s one thing to have natural-born children. It’s exciting and fun but those kids don’t have a choice—they know you are their mom. To have a child not born of you say he wants you for a mom is a feeling I can’t describe. Please note that Andy had a good mom so he wasn’t trading his memories and love for her in hopes of getting something better. He was saying that in the circumstances in which we were put together he loved me enough to call me mom.
Even now writing about that day brings tears to my eyes. I have been so blessed to have Andy as my son. And in case you are reading this Ben and Josh –I’m blessed to have had you born to me!
Have you had any experience with adoptions?
Diana
If you have a minute could you go to The Book Club Network and vote for We’re Not Blended We’re Pureed a Survivor’s Guide? You’ll find it listed on the right hand side of the page in the nonfiction list. Thank you!
What a beautiful story you all have, Diana. I cannot imagine the joy it must’ve brought to your heart to have that child claim you as mom. Thank you for sharing that touching moment with us.
Jolina,
I’m glad it you liked it. 🙂 It was a very special moment.
Blessings,
Diana
Of course, you know I could go on and on about adoption 😉 It is the most amazing experience of my life. I love that you adopted Andy and Ed adopted Ben and Josh. So important that you all feel like you belong together. It must have been a wonderful experience to have Andy say yes!
Liz you are my adoption mom hero!
Diana
That was an amazing thing to have done! Giving the children the opportunity to also have a say. I am certain that has helped them even in later years to be able to deal with this difficult thing -family.
Retha, thank you for the ‘amazing’ part. I’m not sure it was, but I do think it was a good thing and something that worked for our family.
Blessings,
Diana
That’s beautiful. It brought tears to me also when ‘Andy said yes’. I didn’t realize that’s what the process was like and it’s awesome that the kids are involved.
Thank you Sue. It’s quite an emotional roller coaster when the kids have a say. You’re pretty sure they will say yes, but then you wonder if you did something that week to make them mad and that will make them say no.
thank you for commenting!
Diana
I’m in the opposite situation, as my daughter was shared with her dad’s family. But I’ve been re-accepted by his brothers, at least on a facebook level, as part of the extended family. It is a good feeling.
Charlotte,
What a good story –being accepted again. I’m so happy for you!
Blessings,
Diana