On a note that has nothing to do with business and everything to do with living, I’m compelled to get personal sometimes.
I’m an adoptive mother of two Haitian-American beauties – a role more complicated and unpredictable than selling, lead generating, or closing business. In 2009, my husband and I brought home two sisters, ages 10 and 16. In my future is a book about adoption and how everyone can play a part in the global solution, without actually adopting.
Adoption touches everyone’s heart. The thought of any child being parentless, homeless, or nameless brings pain to the surface. There is a global orphan crisis. Are you open to ideas that lend yourself to solving this problem? Orphans matter and so do you. I have ideas for you, lots of them.
Although we’ve been approached on two occasions (both scenarios we turned down because they involved teenage boys), it’s unlikely we will adopt more children.. We have teen girls and a small upstairs – not a wise combination for non-birth siblings. While we’ve decided that two adopted children complete our family, we are forever committed to adoption. I am certain I’ll have grandkids from many continents. I hope reading this post will spark interest and generate ideas.
Here are a few of my ideas:
1. A dear friend is a single parent of an adoptive boy from Ethiopia. We keep him for the weekend about every six weeks so Mom gets a break.
2. A family brings home several adopted sibling girls at once. This family is not financially wealthy, only rich in heart. How about taking the girls out at the beginning of Spring to buy flip flops? $15-$20 buys a fashionable pair at Target. For less than $100, you’ve blessed the socks off an adoptive family.
3. All kids love getting new backpacks at the beginning of the school year, even if last year’s backpack is in good condition. Make a purchase of new backpacks for several adopted children.
4. Offer respite care. Adopted kids may have hurtful pasts. When they are planted in new families, this pain may surface and everyone can benefit from a break. Some behaviors are extreme or isolating and traditional parenting techniques are ineffective. Spare the advice and offer everyone a breather – a movie outing, a weekend, or offer to pay for a week of summer camp.
What do you think of these ideas? Do you have any to share?
Originally posted by Lilly Ferrick at Lilly’s Blog.
