I know exactly what you mean. Tonight was the night that my husband and I broke the news to my family and my in-laws that we are planning to adopt an older child. Their reactions could not have been more opposite!
My husband's parents were completely supportive. They even told us that they feel it takes a special kind of couple to even consider adopting an older kid, and that they are so proud of us! My mother-in-law even asked if she should have another stocking ready for Christmas.
We told her probably not, but it was really sweet.
My family, on the other hand, just about went ballistic. I was told that I have no idea what I'm getting myself into, why don't I want a younger child (i.e., less than 6), I'm too young to be a parent (I'm 23, my husband is 25), I don't understand what problems these kids have gone through, I'm just rushing into this (I've been reading almost non-stop for 2 months, and we've already started our adoption training classes), etc., etc., etc. I was so upset, I just hung up in tears. I wasn't expecting the conversation to go
well, but I didn't think it would be that bad...
Anyway, I talked to my mom again about 1/2 an hour ago, and I think some of the shock has worn off. Still, I got to talk to her a bit more, and I think she's starting to believe that we have actually been thinking and praying about this, not just rushing in to do a "get the first kitten you see at the pet store" sort of thing. I wish my family would have reacted the way that my in-laws did, but at least they didn't disown me, I guess.
