Viet Nam Adoptive Family Interviews : An Introduction

Did your family and friends support your decision to adopt? If they were unsupportive, how did you handle it?

The Engelbrecht Family - They were supportive for the most part. Some family members wanted us to try to have kids first, but we explained this is what we wanted. Others wanted us to go domestic, I chose to ignore them if they wouldn't listed and then avoid them because I refused to have negativity around me during that hard time.

Christina - In general, our family and friends were very supportive. My mother was a little concerned about us adopting an “older” child because of possible bonding/attachment issues and my brother made some remarks that were just hurtful and ignorant. But generally we had a lot of support and encouragement (and my mom was much more enthusiastic after we had our referral). We felt God led us to this decision and to our son, so what other people said didn’t really matter as long as we were making every effort to follow God’s leading and keeping our eyes open about any possible issues or concerns we might have along the way.

The Mynes Family - We are very close to our family and friends and they have supported us (and still do) a great deal. I don’t know what I would do if they didn’t.

The Micheline Family - I announced my decision to adopt over ten years ago, when I realized that conception and pregnancy were not for me. I had no desire to conceive a child- instead I truly felt as if my child would be brought to me via adoption. My parents were surprised, and I think at first they thought I was talking myself into adoption because I might not be able to conceive (I have Spina Bifida). But when they realized this wasn't a medical decision or a decision based on fear but something I felt deeply, they changed their minds. They were concerned about the entire process, not knowing much about international adoption, but the second they saw Gracie's pictures, they were goners. My parents are old-school Italians and "keeping it Italian"" had always been drilled into them (and me!) by other members of our extended family. Every day I marvel over the fact that they have taken this little Vietnamese girl and just enveloped her in every ounce of their being. I think a part of us will never stop being in awe of how well Gracie just fit right in- she was a Micheline before she even came home. It goes to show love and family is NOT a genetic, blood thing, but all about heart and soul.

Next..."Home Study"

Related Reading:
When Your Family Won't Accept Your Child
Adoption ABC's: Support
Family Members Who Resist Adoption

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