Introducing Myself

Hi! My name is Faith. I am the new host of the “Hoping to Adopt” blog. I am very excited about this opportunity. When I went through the adoption process several years ago, I did not know about resources like blogs or message boards, and I did not know one person who had been through the process. As a result, I felt very alone and longed for some sage advice from somebody who truly understood my pain and frustration. Now that I am on the other side of the adoption process, I am excited about being that “somebody” to those of you who are hoping to adopt.

My husband and I signed up with an adoption agency in March of 1999. We became the proud parents of a two-day-old boy a couple of years later. Our son, Nicholas, is the light of our lives. If we had not made that decision almost 8 years ago, I would not be a mother today. The thought just boggles my mind. Becoming a mother changes your life in so many wonderful ways. As difficult as my journey to motherhood was, I would not change a single thing because every step and every single tear led me to being this little boy’s mother.

The period of time from making the decision to adopt to holding our baby in our arms was one of the most difficult periods of my life. What made it even harder was the fact that nobody in my life really understood what I was going through. Yes, my family and friends tried to be supportive, but unless you live through the process, you cannot possibly understand the enormity of the stress involved. There were times that I longed to hear somebody “in the know” tell me that the whole process really is worth it. I am now “in the know,” so I can tell you with confidence — Yes, the process is worth it!

I plan to discuss everything and anything related to the topic of “hoping to adopt.” This blog is for YOU – those of you who are starting out your adoption journeys. So, please let me hear from you. What do YOU want to learn about? There are no “stupid” questions. Any topic relevant to “hoping to adopt” is fair game.

Some of the topics I have in mind are:

• After the match (What now?)
• Birthmother issues (overcoming fears and misconceptions)
• Dealing with well-meaning friends & relatives
• Decisions (e.g., Agency, private, or foster adoption? International or domestic?)
• Emotional issues (e.g., depression and marital stress)
• Home study (that dreaded “judgment seat”)
• Interstate adoption (What is ICPC, and how will it affect my life?)
• Making controversial decisions (e.g., breastfeeding the adopted baby)
• Positive adoption language (and why it matters)
• Preparing for the baby (How much should I prepare? What if it falls through?)
• Surviving the wait (passing the time without losing your mind)
• When the baby is born (What happens now?)

This list is just a starting point. This topic is endless. Let me know which issues you are most concerned with, and we will start there.

One final note — I would like to give a special thank you to Lynda Bernhardt, who will be providing the photography for this blog.

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