Support Groups!
This month at AFTH, we wanted to take a moment to highlight one of our greatest resources for all our families. The resource at hand is our wonderful support groups. Adoption is a beautiful thing, but we would be foolish if we didn’t recognize that, as with anything else worthwhile in life, there are a lot of challenges.
Many of our families find our support groups to be so beneficial because there is a support group for everyone. We offer support groups for everyone; we have ones for our adoptive parents, birth parents, single parents, extended families, transracial adoption, waiting families, expecting parents, LGBT, and more. While there might be a million different ways that the adoption process can challenge you, there are always other people who have faced and are facing the same challenges as you.
One of the main reasons the adoption process can be challenging for our families is that they don’t always know anyone who has been through the same challenges. Let’s face it, the adoption process isn’t a universal experience, and this can often lead to feelings of isolation.
Luckily, our support groups are a way of combating the feeling of isolation in the adoption process by connecting with other people who have gone through and are going through the same process. For many who are new to any aspect of the adoption process, it is useful to have a space where you can go for guidance and support. For others, they find the benefit in just being heard. And for those who are far along the road in their adoption journey, it is a positive experience to be able to guide others.
Perhaps the most important aspect of our support groups is the connection you make that will go far beyond the support group. Many of our families have ended up meeting at support groups and connecting beyond them. Having other people who are navigating the same challenges as you is often a lifesaver for families who would have no one else who understands their struggles.
Recently, at our last Annual Family Picnic, we met with a group of single mothers who had come together. They told us how they had met at the support group for single parents and became friends beyond the support group. You can learn more about their story here. We also had a group of our birth moms who had met through our support groups come to the picnic together; you can learn more about their story here.
Our support groups are one of the best resources we offer to anyone navigating the adoption process. If you ever feel isolated or overwhelmed by the challenges of the adoption process, just know that you aren’t alone. One of the best ways to connect with others who are navigating the same challenges is through our support groups. We have a support group for everyone. If you want to get involved with one, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our social workers.
