I don't know about you, but for me the last 14 months have been
somewhat of a blur, what with the initial days of the pandemic and the locks-downs.
Now it seems the days and weeks are moving quickly and the months are flying
by. How did we get to the start of summer?
Rather than dwell on the past year, a lost year, I have found
myself thinking about the past summers: my kids ending another school year,
saying goodbye to homework, teachers and friends, and shedding coats and pants
for shorts and t-shirts. I look forward to time out of the city, to
swimming in the lake, barbecues, once again seeing family, friends and
neighbors and just the overall more relaxed days of summer.
Some families adopted this past year. Many more of you are still
waiting. Initially, there was thought in the adoption community that there
would be a rise in adoptions during the pandemic. Since this did not occur it
was thought that with people being more reclusive and advised to limit social
contact, there were less opportunities for sexual encounters and therefore,
less pregnancies. Just this past week, there was a news story about an uptake
in the purchase of personal products, leading to the assumption that there is
an increase in socializing. These particulars
may have an impact on the rate of adoptions.
If you are among those still waiting to adopt, who have seen
little opportunity over the past year, do not give up your dream. Over the
summer, try to enjoy the new freedom the vaccinations have brought. Spend more
time with family and friends. Take a short vacation. Read a good book.
Reorganize or decorate your home for the warner months. Try a new hobby.
Time passes quickly. One day you will also look back and wonder where
did the time go? How could my son/daughter have been so small? When did they
learn to crawl, walk, climb or run? What was their first day of school or camp
like? Was I the best parent I could be?
Life throws us curveballs all the time. The pandemic was just
another one of the challenges. A big and unexpected one, I will agree, but one
we have overcome. Your desire to be a parent or grow your family has had its
challenges. Adoption is not easy, but it is a miracle for all involved. Never
give up hope. You can do this. The rewards are immeasurable.
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 on the 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.
