ADOPTION EDUCATION, LLC

WAITING PARENTS AND LIFEBOOKS

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Time. Who ever thought there could be too much time? That person hasn't waited to adopt a child. Endless amounts of time with no end in sight: no delivery date, not even a name or a face in the beginning…just the possibility, mixed with a lot of faith.

BEFOREHAND

If time is in abundance, then why not plan out an adoption lifebook?

There can be times when the entire adoption process doesn't feel "real." It seems unbelievable that by filling out the forms, submitting to the background checks, and so on, one can become a parent to a baby or child. It can feel like a paper pregnancy, invisible to the world.

At other times, there is the fear of "what if?" What if I/we aren't approved by the adoption agency? What if I/we are never matched with a child? What if the country closes its borders? "What if's" can consume a lot of time.

If you don't really believe that you are becoming a parent, then why think about making a lifebook? Because before you know it, yeow! The referral picture is in your hands-travel arrangements and baby room prep must be complete in mere weeks-and boom, there is no time. You lose out on this lifebook opportunity. Your child does, too.

 

Written by Beth O'Malley M.Ed adoptee and new adoptive Mom, helping families create lifebooks---sign up for free LifeBook Tips at www.adoptionlifebooks.com.
Copyright © 2004 Beth O'Malley. All rights reserved.