Aaargh, other people!

[greygretl]

Our DS came home last summer, and our formal adoption of him went through in the spring of this year. We're having a great time getting on as an adoptive family and learning lots together. Do his life story with him regularly, and have sent our first letterbox contact epistle. He's just celebrated his birthday, his first with us, and we had a lovely time. Apart from. Aaaaargh. My dad. Came round, took a look at all the cards he'd received. And said - did he get one from his parents? Frosty silence. Tumbleweeds. Then I pointed to the one from us and the subject was mentioned no more.

That's it really. Just a rant. I know I'm probably being over-sensitive. But for goodness sake!

could just be bad choice of words, before you get your match could you sit down with her and say you have had a meeting with a social worker or whoever and this is all the terminology we will be using and you want to go through it her and with all the the rest of the family so as not to be consistent and not confuse your child. if she has been so nice about everything up to now sounds like she not meaning any harm.

wendy hi, am not an adoptive mum (yet) just still at the hoping stage but do have a birth DD.

I agree with Jens42 better to talk about it now before the child/children arrive/s. I agree too it is best to say this is the terminiology because people of an older generation do not always know the correct PC term to use for all kinds of stuff. And sometimes it doesn't matter and at other times it does. And this will be a situation where it will matter, to the children and to you. Also, I think what your step mum meant was you might/will have additional problems/challenges/situations to cope with, and I am sure that is quite right. There will be challenges to cope with and she was probably trying to be supportive. So even if her language confuses or saddens you, try and look at the meaning. I think it is important when people upset us to see if that was intended (with nosy people who ask the wrong sort of questions as missfenella points out, and also to be aware when family and friends mean well but are just not able to vocalise what they mean.

I'd also say if the books are confusing you then you may find it useful to get help to find a really good few books on adopting in a style that is good for children who have perhaps been through the challenges of adoption. but I know that is not what you were posting about so I will shut up now!

All the best.

Sorry - ....really good few books on parenting in a style that is good for children who have perhaps been through the challenges of adoption.

PS wendy I read this book and it really revolutionsied my thinking and made my parenting ideas much more child-centred, which I hope would be helpful especially for parenting an adopted child and is, of course, useful for all children. No one had yet said it is a bad choice and I would just say I loved it. It goes up to age 10 which most books don't always seem to.

'Raising Happy Children? Jan Parker and Jan Stimpson (Hodder & Stoughton.

Thanks for everyone's sound advice and especially the idea of discussing under the topic of terminology. It means we can discuss things in a less confrontantional way. I have a thicker skin with strangers, rather than family and would find it hard to pick up a family member as I know their intention is good.

Finally thanks to greygretl who started the thread, its an awkward and frustrating issue in adoption and I've appreciated the advice and guidance from every post

Wx

Wendy, I had similar concerns with my mum and dad at the start of the process and we bought them a book from Amazon on being an adoptive grandparent. They both read it cover to cover and there were bits they wanted to adopt with us. But since we have been blown away by how understanding they are (we've recently been matched) and have put a lot of thought into it all. I'd certainly recommend that.

Since being matched I've also been shocked at people asking 'what's wrong with them' and what do we know about their real parents?! They seem to think they're entitled to a full history.

I've become very good at the response 'we're not sharing that with anybody' and no-one has dared ask why or anything else.

I also find the opposite - that people assume they know everything. So we've had quite a few 'oh they won't remember anything', 'they'll soon settle in at that age' and so on.

Thanks LOTH - I've already bought that book for the MIL who was asking so many questions I thought it would quieten her down - she's so excited.
My step mum wouldn't read it, but I might just mention it.

Thanks again, nice idea!

is there anyone who adopted in the early 90s.

I think Maryz adopted in the early-mid 90's? I adopted for the first time in '96

Good luck with everything WendyGx. I remember those days, there is so much to deal with emotionally and I used to feel that nobody really could understand exactly how frustrating and unfair things were... You have to be so brave to grin and bare it. Treat yourself gently, if you are like me then you will be feeling fragile...Pamper yourself now and make the most of me time...Have a scream when you have to listen to other people's birthing experiences etc...Have a G&T!

I have 2 beautiful quite big girls now! Both adopted from China, the first when she was 10 months old, she's nearly 10 years old now and the second aged 23 months and she's 9 now. For the first few years when I had them in the double buggy I would be stopped in the street, in the supermarket, at the market by total strangers exclaiming on their cuteness but also asking many horribly indiscrete questions...All this while learning to be mum to toddlers..In the end you build up a repertoire of very sassy, rudish answers and you will develop a very thick skin!

My girls understand so much about their own stories now and are growing up really well. By the time you are looking after your kids daily there will be so many things going on that silliness from old ladies etc..will just be a minor thing. You will be a mummy dealing with all the mummy stuff and you will become an expert in your own children! You will!! I hope it happens soon for you but honestly make the most of being a couple for now. It will go by so soon...I hated it when people said that to me but now I know what they meant. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
All the best.
Roz

Roz
Thanks so much for the advice and for sharing your experience. Its good to get perspective from others when you have none. I'm not daft enough to think I'm the first to adopt but my emotions are rampant!
Back at work now and its a good distraction. Keeps me off bemyparent anyway!!
You are very kind
W

Yes rocco, I adopted mine in the '90s. If you want to start a new thread I'll find you [hsmile].

FOOL! (sorry), you did the right thing though OP!. I'de have said "course he did, he's our Son, it's up there"! !. HUGE Congratulations on your Son anyway OP!, can't wait for mine one day!!