Our History of adoption

Why I’m writing
13/09/2013
On first seeing our baby son. And three cheers for short-term foster parents!
24/09/2013

We adopted two children in the 1970s. Social work policy has changed over the years, so why am I starting a blog about adoption today?

I read a statement recently by a successful author.  He said “When you write it is important to do it while you have enthusiasm for the idea”.  I have enthusiasm for discussing multiracial issues and the subject of adoption.

Not long ago the issue of adoption was discussed at length in the media.  There has been renewed concern that black and ‘mixed-race’ children are still finding it hard to be placed in adoptive families. I was shocked.  I had been busy getting on with life and assumed that black children were now being placed with black and mixed-race families.  I had seen advertisements over the years appealing for adopters. I had met a black mother who has adopted a black child, but of course that is only a sample of one.

I have written a Memoir about our family and I am hoping to get it published.  In the Memoir I have recalled our struggles and joys and felt grateful that we had such excellent social workers.  They were especially helpful in aiding our second adopted son to move in and settle into our family. He was nearly four years old at the time.

We now have four grandchildren.  One of them is black.  We are all part of a multiracial family and this enriches our lives.

 

 

Odette Elliott
Odette Elliott
I love writing stories for children. I have had six books published and am working on others.

2 Comments

  1. So nice to see that you’ve followed up on this plan. I look forward to reading your family’s story, Odette.

    • Thanks Candy. You were the other person who said “write a blog”. The story will only appear in full if the Memoir gets published, but there is plenty to say about things today.

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