I know this thread is about more than adoption and we did have a thread about adoption a while back which was very in-depth and interesting.
However I can't stop thinking about what I have learned on this thread. it is so very, very touching to know that adopted children nowadays do receive a measure of special consideration. In my day there was nothing like it, nobody talked about it. We were adopted and were expected to be glad, that was the end of it. If any of us did have strange feelings, insecurities and longings we kept them to ourselves.
It wasn't until I was well into my teens and had got into all sorts of difficulties aged 14-16, that someone sat me down and explained about the loss and grief - something missing - that I had inevitably felt all my life. It was true too, everything fell into place then. However I could never have articulated any of that to my mum because she would have considered me ungrateful as I was given a 'good home', etc. Not her fault, she wasn't taught about such things and was not by nature an insightful person.
Whilst I do not believe adopted children should be set apart or even referred to as 'my adopted child' in conversation, we do need some special care at times, some more than others, and a lot of understanding. We spent nine months in our biological mother's womb and were then given to someone completely alien. In my case, my parents took me straight from the hospital, bio mother never even saw me let alone touched me. In between I was in the maternity ward nursery and fed by the nurses. That is so harsh.
I thank goodness times have changed. It is so very heartening.
I think those on this thread who have adopted children and shared a bit of their stories, are a-maz-ing.
That's all I'm going to say on the subject now. If there is ever another adoption thread or the old one revived, I will contribute to that as I did before.