Why adoption?

So, as we wait for our birthmother to give birth, I thought I'd answer the question that everyone's wondering, but some of you are afraid to ask: why adoption?

Well, for starters, the following are NOT the reasons we're adopting (and yes, people have actually said these to us at one point or another):

1. "Well, you're obviously adopting because you're afraid of losing your figure." -- Are you kidding me? I'm 36 years old, for heaven's sake. My figure started sliding down the back of my legs a decade ago.

2. "Well, Karen, I totally get why you're adopting. I mean, you have a great career, why ruin it?" -- Okay, this is just insane. If I were so focused on my career to the exclusion of everything else, I'd probably not have kids at all, whether by adoption or otherwise. Besides, I work for a company that, in its infinite wisdom, chooses NOT to give paid maternity or paternity leave to adoptive parents. So it would actually be EASIER, job-wise, if we chose the more traditional route of having children, rather than adoption.

3. "Oh, Karen, I'm so sorry. Obviously, you're adopting because you're unable to have children." -- Again, wrong answer. I have no idea whether or not I can have children -- we haven't tried. Marcus and I picked adoption as our first choice to grow our family. It is entirely possible, if we decide to have more kids, that we'll go the more usual route the second time around.

4. "Oh, Karen, I'm so sorry. Obviously, you're adopting because Marcus is unable to have children." -- See answer to #3, above.

5. "Wow, Karen -- it's nice that you can ignore the fact that as a wife, it's your duty to bear Marcus' children, and adopt anyway." -- I won't even dignify this one with a response. Except to say that last I checked, I'm pretty sure it's still the year 2004.

Okay, so why did we adopt? Well, because we love kids. And Marcus and I each have adopted members of our families, so we always thought adoption was a really cool way to grow our own family. And, well ... that's about it. Pretty simple, really.

Comments

[Angi]

Congratulations! She's amazing!

[Crystal]

She is truly wonderful. I can't wait for my blessing...I'm also in the process of adopting a newborn. Hubby and I are anxiously awaiting our little person. I read this often and I enjoy your updates....it gives me hope and keeps me positive while waiting.

[Robin]

I had to go and see how this all started! How cool that you chose adoption. Who the hell are all these people that are so rude? Why would they care? Really....WHY? They can't be friends of yours because if they were then they wouldn't be so damn rude.
I was adopted and it's a wonderful thing to be brought into a loving family.

[B.J.]

I'm a few years late for commenting, but was enamoured with your blog and had to go back to the adoption posts. I love that someone else finds it such a simple decision, almost not one at all! I am not ready to start a family yet, but always seemed to know adoption was the route I would take. Even as a child.

(and not important at all, but Alex and I have the same birthdate! So cute...to me anyway!)