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Well, gee........
...we adopted our first two at the ages of 23 and 25. I always said that 'I wanted to be done with adoption by the age of 25."
well, gee......was I wrong....and so was hubby!!!!!! We have adopted infants and older children; and this past year, finalized on a private adoption of a newborn. And.....we have submitted for another infant. Will we be done then? I think so, though my husband says, "who knows?"
And our ages? We will both be 46 this spring!!!!
I think there are pros and cons to adopting as an older parent. I do think a lot has to do with 'if you are adopting older children or infants'. Our first two were infants adopted overseas. They were in their pre-teen years when we decided to adopt older children.
While I would have been the first in line for older adoptions a few years ago; not so anymore. After having one child with reactive attachment disorder...lived in our home for four years, the danger he caused and dealing with his 'unattachment...even in a residential home....our family just about 'lost it'. During this time, we also adopted an older sib group (then 6 and 3), and even though they have some issues, they are bonded and part of the family.
This last adoption has been of a newborn and such a blessing to our family!!!!!
Being older doesn't mean you have to 'think' older. I notice things like not being able to carry the baby in my arms long distances......so, I carry the baby in a backpack (no problem). I used a backpack for the first two also; but I notice the 'front carrying' in my back more. My hands get a little more sore than at 23 and 25.....but 'my heart is into it' and I seem to have more patience. I also don't mind losing sleep as much as I did back then!
Overall, I think I enjoy parenting more than I did at an earlier age. And I think that, aside from the nightmarish adoption of our first 'older son'.......adoption at an older age has been quite wonderful!
Sincerely,
Linny
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