How to help adoptive families

I've wanted to write a post about this several times. I've never been able to adequately nor eloquently word this. I don't know of anyone in my personal life that has adopted...so, it goes without saying that most didn't really know how to respond to my adoption.

Lisa at Caroline’s Promise has some great suggestions for how to help adoptive families:

When we answered God’s call to adopt Caroline we were misunderstood, judged and talked about in not so nice ways. God knew that with His help we could handle it, but it hurt.

Here are my suggestions for how you can help adoptive families. I encourage you to ask God how He wants to use you.

*Pray for adoptive families

*Listen. Even if they’re talking about paperwork that you’re clueless about. Listen and ask questions.

*Support their efforts to raise money. Maybe you can’t give alot financially - but your presence is HUGE. I remember standing in awe of the people that came and helped with our fundraisers. The blessings that came from them helped me “get over” the disapointment of the people who didn’t show up.

*Encourage them during the wait and don’t ask stupid questions like “Why is it taking so long?” and “Why does it cost so much money?”

*Don’t criticize their adoption choice. If they adopt from foster care - don’t tell them every horror story you’ve ever heard about kids in foster care. If they adopt from another country don’t ask them why they aren’t adopting from the US. Trust that they have heard God’s call.

*When they travel to get their child - offer to take care of their home while they are gone.

*TAKE THEM MEALS when they get home! What makes us think that people who come home from the airport with their child are any different than people who bring their child home from the hospital? One of the greatest gifts my Sunday School class gave me was meals! But just this week someone told me that although their church takes weeks of meals to people who have their kids in hospitals….this family did not receive one meal when they came home from Africa.

*Try to understand when they choose to “cocoon” as a family. Please don’t criticize when they’re not at church. The first few months home are crucial to bonding and attaching. They don’t need to run around. They need to stay home.

*If they’re struggling, support them and be quiet. Please don’t use their experience as a reason to never recommend that someone adopt. We have struggles with our biological children and our children that come to us through adoption. Your criticism does not help.

***EDITED*** - I deleted a comment by bclever erroneously. If you happen to read this again...could you repost? You had great thoughts!