Celebrate Your Adoption Story
National Adoption Month is finally here! American Adoptions celebrates adoption all year round, but November holds a special place in our hearts. This month is about spreading awareness, encouraging others to learn about adoption and how its given families the opportunity to grow and flourish.
This year we’ll focus on how you can proudly celebrate your adoption story. Whether you’re an adoptive family, birth mother, or adoptee, there are many ways you can share your experience and celebrate the beautiful journey of adoption. Adoption has helped shape the lives of many people who are now forever changed thanks to the selfless journey of adoption.
You can read personal adoption testimonials from our agency here. If you have any questions about adoption and how to begin your adoption journey, call 1-800-ADOPTION and speak to one of our experienced specialists today.
The Importance of National Adoption Month
National Adoption Month raises awareness of adoption and encourages others to learn more about the adoption process, hold adoption-related events and acknowledge people whose lives have been impacted by adoption. The goal of National Adoption Month is to celebrate the families that have grown through adoption and to shed light on the many children still waiting to find their forever homes.
Many people don’t know about adoption and some of the amazing opportunities that come from choosing this path. Next time you’re on social media or chatting with a friend, tell them how great adoption is and how it helped shape you into the person you are today. Whether through research, infographics, articles, or even your own story, educating others will help bring awareness toward adoption.
Why Your Story Deserves to Be Heard
Although sharing your personal experience with adoption can seem daunting, it’s important to be proud of your story. You went through an emotional, selfless journey, and there may be people out there who are scared to pursue adoption because they don’t know what the experience is like. By sharing your story, you can show people how amazing adoption can be.
“Knowing that this child needed a home and that was something we could provide – not only are you getting the family of your dreams, but you’re providing a home to a child that needed it,” Adoptive mother Meg said about pursuing adoption. “All of it is such a great experience. It makes it all worth it.”
Learn more about Meg’s adoption story here.
9 Ways to Celebrate Your Adoption Story
As we continue to shed light on the importance of adoption and how it’s changed the lives of so many, here are seven ways you and your family can celebrate National Adoption Month and your adoption story:
1. Have a Family Photoshoot
During National Adoption Month, celebrate by taking some new family photos. You can make the theme adoption or take some fun fall photos. Consider inviting the birth or adoptive family members and make plans for the photo shoot next time you meet up. You could also make or purchase adoption shirts for the whole family to show your adoption pride! Be sure to snap a picture and share it online with the #NationalAdoptionMonth hashtag.
2. Attend an Adoption Event
Join an event in your community to learn more about adoption and listen to other stories of birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees’ adoption stories. This will give you a chance to share your adoption story and hear from others who have gone through the same experience. Make sure to mention how adoption has made a difference in your life and how amazing adoption can be. Grab the whole family and find an adoption event to celebrate adoption proudly.
3. Advocate for How Amazing Adoption Can Be
Adoption can be an incredible experience for everyone involved. It’s important to tell the world that! Make sure to reach out to some of your friends and family members and explain how amazing adoption can be. Whether it’s through your personal adoption journey or from the knowledge you’ve gained from going through the process, it’s always good to spread awareness about adoption.
“I just love to tell people about it because it’s such an amazing thing and a great opportunity to shed a positive light on adoption,” Adoptive mother Kristin said. “Whatever opportunity I have, I talk about their stories just to be able to say, you know, adoption is a beautiful thing.”
Read more of Kristin’s adoption story here.
4. Watch a Movie about Adoption
This a great option to curl up on the couch with your kids and check out some fun family movies that are adoption themed. There are also some more adult-friendly options, perfect for a date night or movie night for some of your close friends and family. Watching movies about adoption and foster care can be a great way to gain new perspectives on the journey of adoption and can be a good time to bond with your family.
You can also reach out to the birth mother or adoptive family members to see if they’d be up for an adoption-themed movie night.
5. Arrange a Visit to Your Birth Place
Road trips are always fun, and knowing you get to visit the place you were born will make the trip even better. If you’re an adoptee, consider taking a road trip with your family to visit where you were born.
This would be a good chance to visit your birth family and spend some time while you’re in town. You can grab a bite to eat, watch a movie, or even take a stroll and catch up with each other. It’s good to have bonding time with your birth parents as it helps build a lasting connection.
6. Write a Letter to Your Adoptive Child, Your Parents, and Your Birth parents etc.
This month is the perfect opportunity to tell your family how much you love them and how grateful you are that adoption brought you together. If you’re the birth mother, you can write a letter to your child and their adoptive family and tell them how thankful you are for them.
If you’re an adoptive family, you can write a letter to your child and tell them your adoption story. Tell your child how much of a blessing it was to grow your family through adoption. You can also write a letter to the birth parents telling them how grateful you are for the opportunity to raise their child and explain that you’ll always be there for them whenever they need you.
7. Reach out to the Birth Family
As you celebrate National Adoption Month, make sure to reach out to the birth family and let them know how thankful you are to be a part of not only their life but their child’s life as well. Send pictures and updates on how their child is doing and how you plan on celebrating.
This will be a good chance to plan an event to celebrate National Adoption Month, like a photo shoot or dinner. Even a quick Skype session or email would mean a lot to remind your birth family that you’re thinking about them, even if you’re not in constant contact with one another.
If you’re interested in learning more about adoption, you can get free information here.
Let us know how you’re planning on honoring adoption this month!
