International Adoption Guide

I have just had a lovely conversation with a very brave woman who is embarking on an international adoption on her own. She reminds me of myself all those years ago.

I wish that I could have imparted to her the wisdom that I gained from that experience - it is hard, complex, confusing, will take over your life and you will be given misinformation - this I think the biggest thing. She was asking about a document that is needed - and was telling me about the information that she had been given about acquiring this documents...ehhh? As she was unaware of what actually is needed, no one could quite give her the right information, and so she was about to embark down a very complicated yet futile path.

And this is what takes all the time and energy on an adoption process. At the beginning you don't actually know what you are letting yourself in for!  It is like signing up for a basic swimming course only to find you have been chucked in the ocean. Before very long you become out of your depth. Only because you are not familiar with what actually is needed. This is the value of having on hand a person who knows what is needed, when. This streamlines the whole process and puts you back in control.

And that is where you want to be - in control, knowing that you are moving forward every day towards your goal. Knowing that if something comes up it is only going to be a hiccup and not a huge obstacle. Working with someone who has been there and done it and who has been working in the arena for many years, takes all the angst out of the process. You are in effect handing the most difficult part of the process to the professionals. Yes, it may cost you financially, but what is it saving you emotionally? 

When I became a parent, I was a wreck! My head was still stuck in paperwork and suddenly I had to radically shift gear. It was a shock, which manifested itself with me blacking out one afternoon and hitting my head on the radiator.  Many, many newly adoptive parents fall sick as soon as their babies come home. The relief, the exhaustion. Having someone guiding you, preparing you as an adoptive parent as well as organising the paperwork, is invaluable. It helps you to be a mum in control, prepared and empowered. Parenting an adoptive child is different to parenting a birth child, the more prepared you are for this the easier and more successful you will be.

If you are looking for good, professional support for your adoption journey, where you will receive bespoke service and a fantastically supportive environment, please send me an email: cecile@internationladoptionguide.co.uk and we can schedule a chat to see how we can help you move forward on your adoption dream.