I never saw my life without them. Albeit, never
imagined I would adopt. But here I am with two daughters, adopted as infants,
now 28 and almost 31. Both living on their own – or are they?
Each put down roots in separate parts of the
United States, They have jobs, friends and lots of pets. They also have the
unconditional and unending love and support from me. That doesn’t mean it is
always easy.
There have been times when receiving calls and
texts bring joy and a smile to my face. Other times, it leads to anxiety and
concern. Speaking to other parents normalizes my experience. They talk about
kids needing emotional or financial support no matter what their age. Some even come back home to roost for a while.
This applies to both birth and adopted kids.
But for adopted kids, sometimes the transition
out of your home may take more time. Thoughts of “losing” another parent may be
revisited and raise anxieties or interfere with moving on and out. My daughters
had different reactions. One was easily able to get her own place and follow
her dreams. The other took more time to adjust. Both stay in touch. I get texts
from one or both daily. I like hearing from them, more when things are going
well. But glad that they feel comfortable reaching out no matter what is
happening.
So, on some days, I can’t help but think – Kids
(birth or adopted) can’t live with them, can’t live without them.
Kathy Ann Brodsky, LCSW is a New York and New Jersey licensed social worker, adoptive mom and advocate for ethical adoption practice. Through her private practice and agency affiliations, she has prepared thousands of adoption homestudies, counseled expectant, birth, pre/post adoptive parents and adopted persons, as well as trained professionals to work with adoptive families. She was Director of the Ametz Adoption Program of JCCA and a member of the Advisory Board for POV’s Adoption Series and the Adoption Advisory Board of Path2Parenthood, She is currently a Adoption Professional Advisory Council of HelpUSAdopt , a member of the Advisory Board of the Family Equality Council and active in the Adoptive Parents Committee in New York. Her blogs and written contributions can be seen throughout the Internet, including her BLOG and as Head Writer for ADOPTION.NET She was named an “Angel in Adoption” by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption in 2001. You can reach her directly
Kathy Ann Brodsky, LCSW is a New York and New Jersey licensed social worker, adoptive mom and advocate for ethical adoption practice. Through her private practice and agency affiliations, she has prepared thousands of adoption homestudies, counseled expectant, birth, pre/post adoptive parents and adopted persons, as well as trained professionals to work with adoptive families. She was Director of the Ametz Adoption Program of JCCA and a member of the Advisory Board for POV’s Adoption Series and the Adoption Advisory Board of Path2Parenthood, She is currently a Adoption Professional Advisory Council of HelpUSAdopt , a member of the Advisory Board of the Family Equality Council and active in the Adoptive Parents Committee in New York. Her blogs and written contributions can be seen throughout the Internet, including her BLOG and as Head Writer for ADOPTION.NET She was named an “Angel in Adoption” by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption in 2001. You can reach her directly
