National Adoption Month

Just in case you didn't know yet...It is National Adoption Month!

And like everything else in the adoption world this too has caused controversy and arguments.  How can a celebration of adoption -- some near and dear to my heart -- cause arguments?  Celebrate.  Learn. 

Well apparently National Adoption Month is suppose to be about foster care adoption.  So when people started wanting to celebrate their international adoptions some people told them they couldn't.  Really?  We are creating a class ranking in adoption?  One adoption style is better than another? 

One person said that international adoption is well known enough that it doesn't really need to be promoted.  Foster adoption does. I will not judge anybody's choice in adoption.  I have friends who are adults from domestic infant adoption.  I have friends who have adopted through domestic infant adoption.  I know adult who were adopted internationally.  I adopted internationally.  I know people who adopted through the foster care system.  I was adopted out of the foster care system.

I have heard people take the approach that nobody should adopt internationally because there are children in America still waiting for homes.  Because American children deserve a home more then other countries?  I have heard people say that people should not adopt domestic infant because it is like waiting for a child to be born instead of caring for a child already here.  I have heard people say that people should not through the foster care system because all those kids are messed up.

I say, adopt a child.  But only if you want a child in your life.  Don't try to save a child.  Don't do it because the bible says so.  Don't do it to make yourself a hero.  Adopt because you want to parent.  Pick a country -- including, but not limited to, America.  Pick an age -- including, but not limited to infant.  And love a child.

Mean Mama