Jet-lag, Culture Shock and Doubts of an Adoptive Parent

When an adoptive family travels to pick up their new child in the child’s birth country, as an international adoption coordinator, I am anxious during that first week when they meet their child, and breathe easier after the week has passed if I haven’t heard from them.  Why? Because while everyone expects it to be a week of great joy and happiness, I know from my own experience it can be quite the opposite. You see, before I became an adoption professional, I was an adoptive mom.

Our New Normal

On an otherwise uneventful Friday in late November 2015, I opened my email to find a message about a little boy from Ann Morrison, the director of the domestic adoption program at Barker. He was two years old, had big beautiful eyes, lived in China, and was diagnosed with hemophilia. My husband and I were approved and waiting for a domestic adoption match, but Ann knew that our hearts were pulling us toward adopting a toddler and Barker was hoping to find that little boy’s family quickly due to his medical needs, so she sent us a little information just in case. My husband opened his email at nearly the same moment and we immediately began messaging back and forth.

 

Did you see?

Reading now. Cute boy.

Really cute. China?

Did you see his little feet?