5 suggestions for (not) talking about pregnancy

I want to share with you some suggestions for talking about pregnancy–specifically for when/where/how to share about pregnancies and new births. Most people have children biologically without any problems. But you need to understand that some people have many problems getting pregnant.

We all know this. But looking back over our experience, I can tell you that well-meaning, loving people will say things that they don’t even know are hurtful to couples who have no children. Be assured that we are past this, so I share these so that you will know how to best (not) address this issue. Again, you may mean well, but depending on the circumstances, the following situations can be uncomfortable at best and hurtful at worst.

1. “When are you guys going to have kids?” This can be a valid question, but unless you know for a fact that the couple hasn’t been trying, then keep this question to yourself. If they have been trying, but have been unsuccessful, they will feel very awkward because they know you are just being nice, but they don’t really want to tell you, “Hey, we are trying, but something’s not clicking!”

2. Don’t talk about pregnancy in a group where you don’t know everyone. If you are pregnant, and someone asks you about it, be brief in your response. Then change the subject.

3. If you know someone is struggling to get pregnant, keep your suggestions to yourself about how they can be successful. Chances are, they have already tried it.

4. When someone tells you they have decided to adopt, please don’t tell them about your friend who decided to adopt and then got pregnant with twins. Choosing to adopt is a big step, especially if they have made it public. Telling them that story somehow cheapens the decision they have made. And it may be physically impossible for them to get pregnant.

5. “Well, don’t you want to have your own kids?” This one is specific to adoptive parents. It is very important to adoptive parents that you use words like biological and adoptive instead of real. Of course, now I’m getting in to a post just for adoption.

Let me reiterate that we know you mean well and that your statements and questions are innocent. But couples reach a point where they feel they need to say something because they are tired of hearing it from everyone. If you the unlucky person who gets that speech from a childless couple, know that it wasn’t just you. Your comment was just the final straw.

Bottom line: If you know couples without children, you should avoid talking about pregnancy at all costs, unless they bring it up.

Have you experienced this?

5 things to know before you adopt internationally

We have gone through 3 international adoptions, and we have learned a lot along the way. Before you start, you should know these things.

1. God’s timing is best. CIS lost our first daughter’s paperwork. It’s a story that’s deserving of it’s own post, but know that if her paperwork had not been delayed, then we probably wouldn’t have been able to adopt our second daughter.

2. It’s an emotional roller coaster. Maybe this should have gone first. The highs are when you get the referral and get updates, especially pictures. The lows happen much more often as you sit and wait and wait and wait.

3. Pick a good agency. You have to decide what is right for you, but smaller, accredited agencies produce the same results (a child in your home), but also offer better customer service (in my opinion).

4. Choosing the right country is key. Do you want to travel? Can you travel more than once? What fees are involved? Has the country ratified the Hague Treaty? All these questions are important. Talk to an accredited agency and ask these questions at the very beginning.

5. It’s worth it. All the emotion and all the trouble is swept away when you hold your child for the first time. It will get difficult, but it will be worth it.

I’m going to unpack these in the next few weeks. And if you have other questions about international adoption–before, during, or after–please ask me in the comments. I will glad to help.

Are you interested in adoption?

Christians, we have been taught in Scripture that pure and undefiled religion is taking care of the widows and orphans in their time of need. Today there are over 147 million orphans in the world. That’s 147,000,000 children that don’t have a family.

The biggest reason I hear people say they can’t adopt is because they don’t have the money. I understand that. We used to think the same thing. But once you begin the adoption journey, you will see that God will provide the way through gifts, grants, loans, and other means. And if your family brings in more than $34,000, you are in the top 5% of the richest people in the world. (Check globalrichlist.com if you really want to know.)

If the richest people in the world, who have been told that God wants you to care for the orphans, and have been adopted by God as the ultimate example–if those people won’t adopt, then who will?

I hear people say A LOT: “We’ve thought about adoption, but…” And the sentence usually trails off. Take your first step today.

Foster care, permanent adoption. Domestic, foreign. Infants, toddlers, or teenagers. There is a great need, and you can play your part.

Start by watching this video.