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The 12 Days of Adoption Gratitude: Day 2 – My Son’s Parents

“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” —Zig Ziglar

Gratitude is an amazing and wondrous emotion. It can combat depression and negativity, and bring us experiences of joy and fulfillment. Gratitude also encourages us to act in happy and healthy ways that include helping others. I am grateful this holiday season for the couple who adopted my child. Not only do I love them dearly, but I also feel gratitude toward them for what they have done and are doing for myself and for my child. I will forever remain and grow in gratitude for my son’s parents.

How Do I Find an Adoptive Couple for My Baby?

Choosing an adoptive family is one of the most exciting parts of the adoption process. A prospective birth mother can find an adoptive family by utilizing the resources provided by an adoption agency. An adoption professional will work with a prospective birth mother on her adoption plan, which will include a description on what she is looking for in a potential adoptive family. After viewing these adoptive family profiles, a prospective birth mother will choose which prospective adoptive couple she would like to meet. If the meeting goes well, an expectant mother will spend time getting to know the adoptive family to determine if this is who she will desire to place her child with.

Viewing Adoptive Family Profiles and Choosing an Adoptive Family

In my adoption situation, I was rushed to choose an adoptive family and place my son due to my personal circumstances. I had a very specific image in my mind of the life that I wanted my son to have with another family and wasn’t willing to compromise on certain aspects of that vision. I will never forget the adoptive family profile that I chose, and the smiles on my son’s now-parents’ faces. I will never forget meeting my son’s mother for the first time. The wonder of choosing an adoptive family is immense, and the final decision making of that choice was incredibly rewarding for me. I had found my son’s forever parents, and I was elated!

Trust Your Motherly Instincts When Choosing an Adoptive Family

If you are a woman considering adoption and want to browse adoptive family profiles, check with your local adoption agency, or consider calling a national adoption agency. Many adoption agencies have online adoptive family profiles that can be viewed before committing to a specific adoption agency. The decision of choosing who will raise your child is just as important as the initial decision of adoption. Don’t settle for anything less than what you know in your heart is best for your child. Don’t let anyone tell you not to listen to your motherly instincts when it comes to this decision. Remember, you are making a lifelong decision for your child.

My Son Was Always Meant for His Parents

I will never forget the feeling I had when I knew in my heart and in my gut that the adoptive couple I chose was the right choice for myself and my child. I was crying and laughing with joy. I called a friend and exclaimed, “I’ve found them and they are perfect!” Of course, they are not perfect people, but they are perfect for my son and I. I pray that every prospective birth mother experiences the gratitude that I felt that day, and still feel today for my son’s parents.

Navigating an Adoptive Family Relationship with Love

While there have been bumps along the way, I am ever so grateful for the relationship that I have with my son’s parents. They love me dearly and I not only know it, but I feel it. They send me gifts to express that love, they tell me they love me, and they are genuine in their expressions of that love. I am so blessed to have my son’s parents in my life. They are truly amazing parents, and they are doing an amazing job raising my son. I cannot wait to see what else the future holds for our relationship!

If you are looking for an adoptive family and don’t know where to turn, feel free to contact an adoption professional today. Adoption specialists are standing by and would be honored to help any prospective birth mother find an adoptive family for her child. Choosing adoption is the greatest sacrifice of love, and it can also be incredible painful. However, I have a great sense of peace knowing that my son is where he was always meant to be: with his parents. There is nothing I could say that would begin to acknowledge the gratitude that I have for the couple who adopted my child.

This is the eleventh post in a 12-part series on gratitude in adoption. Stay tuned for the final installation.

~Lindsay Arielle

Lindsay is a guest blogger for Considering Adoption. She placed her son for adoption seven years ago and hopes to use her experience to support and educate other expectant mothers considering adoption, as well as adoptive families.