This week is the 15th anniversary of National Adoption Week (#NAW2012). Run by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering or BAAF as it’s more commonly known, National Adoption Week seeks to raise awareness of adoption, and asks those who have ever considered adoption, even if just for a moment, to ‘rule themselves in’.
There are so many myths out there about who can and can’t adopt – you don’t have to be under 40 (although you do have to be over 21), you don’t have to own your own home, or have a job. You don’t have to be married, or in a relationship, you don’t have to be heterosexual, and disability isn’t necessarily an obstacle to adopting. You don’t have to be a certain weight – I’m overweight and diabetic! Everyone is assessed on their own merits. So if any of these factors have put you off before…then why not have another think and rule yourself in?
To celebrate 15 years of National Adoption Week, BAAF have collected wishes from some of the children who are waiting for families – these are featured on the campaign website at www.nationaladoptionweek.org.uk. Here you can also find out more about adoption, look at videos and read real life stories from a variety of different adopters. And of course, there are a number of adoption bloggers out there too who are trying to help and make a difference…
Gem over at Life with Katie is doing a great job – she’s guest blogged on the National Adoption Week website, and is featuring a different adoption story on her blog each day. And on my own blog The Boy’s Behaviour, I’m promoting National Adoption Week as much as possible, and have written about post adoption support from national charity After Adoption. I’ve also been featured as a guest blogger on BAAF’s own blog, and am one of those adoption stories on Life With Katie.
For more adoption blogs, have a look at the BritMums Adoption and Fostering Round up. There is a small, but supportive tribe of us on Twitter too, and we’re happy to answer any questions you might have about adoption.
All of this comes at a great time for me and my family, as today is our son Mini’s adoption day … well in fact we refer to it as our family’s adoption day. Four years ago a judge ruled that Mini was one of us, responsibility for him was 100% ours, he took our last name and we were officially his parents. We have our challenges as a family as Mini has been affected by his early background more than we first thought, but adopting him has been one of the best things we’ve ever done, and I’d certainly recommend it to anyone as a way to start or extend your family. Just go in with your eyes open, ask questions, do the research and be prepared – but do rule yourselves in.
For more information about becoming an adopter, you can contact BAAF and Adoption UK.
This post was written by Vicki, who blogs at The Boy’s Behaviour; a blog that records the journey that Vicki and her adopted son Mini are on to get support. Keep up with Vicki on twitter: @mrs_vicki_n.
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Gustavo
Monday 19th of November 2012
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