This blog was written by Allison Olson. Being both an adoptee and an adoptive parent, Allison Olson has a unique perspective on the topic of adoption. She is an award-winning children’s adoption book author and her goal is to change the adoption narrative from the “lucky” child to the “loved” child. Allison lives in Oregon with her husband, two daughters, and their kitties named Bo and Aero.

November is National Adoption Awareness Month (NAAM). It’s a dedicated time to reflect on adoption and deepen our understanding about the impact it has on individuals from the adoption triad, families, our communities, and the world. It’s an opportunity to intentionally set aside time to listen, learn, and educate others around adoption related topics.

What is the Origin of NAAM?

NAAM was originally created to promote the adoption of children from foster care. Here’s a brief timeline:

  • The Governor of Massachusetts created Adoption Week in 1976.
  • In 1984 President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Adoption Week.
  • Then, almost 20 years later, it was officially expanded to National Adoption Month by President Bill Clinton in 1995.

Since then, it has continued to evolve to become National Adoption Awareness Month to help celebrate adoption and raise awareness around the tough aspects, as well as help to spread education.

Why is it Important to Recognize NAAM?

Adoption is complex and is often only discussed within the adoption community. People that have not been touched by adoption are rarely in conversations to learn more about adoption. This means that the majority of Americans are not aware of modern adoption laws, open adoption, and current positive adoption language.

Helping to spread this education and understanding outside of our adoption community is critical for all members of the adoption triad (birth families, adoptive families, and adoptees) so that others understand the complexities and sensitivities of adoption in order to have empathy, understanding, and to even help improve laws.

It tends to shock adoptive parents when I tell them that the sole responsibility to educate their adopted child’s friends and teachers is on the young adoptee.

Let that sit for a moment.

Right now, no one is out there teaching children that are not adopted about adoption. That is why it falls completely on young adoptees to explain adoption to their friends and even some adults in their lives (e.g., teachers, coaches, friends’ parents, etc.). So as adults within the adoption community, let’s use National Adoption Awareness Month as a time to help educate other parents about the need to teach their non-adopted children about adoption.

Continued education within the adoption community is important as well. It’s key to further understand adoption from the viewpoint of the other positions in the triad (birth families, adoptive families, and adoptees) and to better understand people with different adoption experiences. We can always grow and learn from others.

In my case, I am an adoptee and an adoptive parent. However, I’m only one person and only have one lived experience. That is why I like to listen to, follow on social media, and read books written by other adoptees to hear their stories. I feel like it will help me to be the best parent I possibly can be to our daughter since I do not know how she will feel or be impacted by adoption as she grows. It could and likely will be different from my experience and how I feel.

How Can I Celebrate NAAM?

There are many ways to celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month. The key word is awareness, so any form of adoption education that helps to stretch our own understanding or to help grow others’ understanding of adoption is a great way to recognize the month.

Here are some examples:

  • Listen to Adoption Related Podcasts
  • Post NAAM content on social media
  • Read books written by adoptees, birth moms, and adoptive parents to understand stories from all different perspectives
  • Spend time together as a family (including birth family)
  • Read children’s adoption books together as a family and discuss content
  • Allow space for the adoptees in your life to express all their feelings around adoption
  • Talk with your company’s DEI committee to have NAAM speakers
  • Listen to adoptee voices

Is There Anything We Should Avoid During NAAM?

Adoption is a complex and sensitive topic for many people, so during this month remember that some members of the adoption triad may not feel up for talking about it whether in-person or online.

Try not to put pressure on people to talk about adoption or feelings associated. The month can sometimes feel overwhelming to people that are struggling. My suggestion would be to follow their lead, if they are open to talking then it’s fine, but if they seem closed off then leave it for another conversation.

That same technique goes for online communication as well. If a conversation gets heated with a stranger on the internet, keep in mind that there is a human on the other side of the screen that might be going through personal struggles. It’s best to set aside your own feelings to let everything simmer and see what we can learn from the interaction.

If someone who has experienced trauma is trying to teach us something, their words or tone may not be friendly, but their message could still be one we need to hear.

What Will You Do to Celebrate NAAM?

We would love to hear how you plan to celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month this November. Feel free to comment below.

Learn more about the author:

Website: www.ouradoptionbooks.com

Social Media: @kidsbooksbyallisonolson (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)