As we say goodbye to November and welcome December, the holiday season invites both reflection and connection. This time of year can bring up a mix of emotions, and I want to hold space for the nuances of what this season means for our adoptee community.
Last week, we shared a post on our social media that deeply resonated with many of you: "A Reminder for All Adoptees This Season: You Get to Decide Who and What You Are Thankful For."
It has become one of our most viewed, shared, and engaged posts. I’d like to share some of the post’s caption here, because the message is worth repeating as we move into December.
“Many of us have been told our whole lives to be grateful we were adopted, whether by parents, extended family, siblings, or mainstream society. To our adoptee community, remember you have the choice to decide what to or not to be thankful for—and if adoption is not on the list, that’s okay…To our non-adoptee community, it is essential to make space for the complexities of the adoptees in your life, showing up with the understanding that no one should ever be expected to be grateful for their losses.”
This December, I encourage each of us - whether adoptee, adoptive parent, birth/first parent, or ally - to approach this season with intentionality and compassion. This could mean choosing which traditions to participate in, setting boundaries, or simply allowing yourself space to feel and honor your emotions, whatever they may be.
We at Adoption Mosaic are celebrating the 34 adoptive parents who have recently completed Transracial Parenting or Seasoned Parents, two of our Conscious Adoption courses. We see you, and we appreciate your commitment to doing "the work". We see your continuous learning and growth as you continue to move towards creating and maintaining meaningful connections with the adoptees in your lives.
Together, let’s continue building a community that supports, respects, and uplifts one another through the holidays and beyond.
Wishing you all warmth and care this season,
