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We just finalized our second older child adoption last week, both from foster system. When we started this journey most people tried to convince us that we should not adopt a child older than 3. We said we would not accept a child younger that 5! Why did we choose older kids?
1. Our biological son was 8 when we started the adoption process. We wanted kids old enough that he could have a true sibling relationship with... play with, confide in... not some baby brother or sister he had nothing in common with. Now he is 10. Our adopted son is 7 and our newly adopted daughter is 10. They all fight like crazy and would kill anyone that tried to hurt their brother/sister. Sound like siblings?
2. The whole baby/diaper/night feeding/toddler proofing thing? Been there, done that.
3. There are hundreds of couples lining up to adopt every baby available for adoption. We wanted to know we were making a difference.
4. Last, but most important: God spoke, we listened.
So, now here we are, almost three years after the starting gate with 3 kids. All three are on medication for adhd, one has anxiety disorder, one has oppositional defiant disorder. I spend a lot of time taking kids to therapy or psychiatrist appointment, and going to family therapy. Not a day goes by when I don't have to deal with a temper tantrum or break up a fight. I have a whole lot of headaches and am ready to call my doctor and tell her I need medication for depression.... but would I do anything differently? No. My kids drive me crazy, they make me nuts. But they are mine. And I love them whole heartedly, and even though things are rough, they are getting better, slowly but slowly.
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