November is National Adoption Awareness month and there are so many ways that you can support adoption.
Pray! Say a prayer for those who are currently in the adoption process and for all of the waiting children in this world.
Listen! Sometimes the most important thing you can do for someone in the trenches of adoption is to listen. Adoption can feel lonely because there are so many unknowns and different things that arise. Be there for someone to lean on without judgement or comparison.
Do your research! Whether you're interested in adoption yourself or you know someone who is currently or has already adopted a child; it can be helpful to understand what they are going through. TV is great, but it doesn't really give you an accurate picture of what adoption is really like. My favorite book that we gave to people during our first adoption is: "In on It: What Adoptive Parents Would Like You to Know About Adoption" by Elisabeth O'Toole. It is such an easy read and very informative.
Donate! You can donate you time by making meals, running errands, watching the other children, etc. You can donate items such as clothing, blankets, or food to an organization that works with foster care and adoption. Or if you are able, you can donate financially towards adoption, whether personally or to an organization. Even if you don't think your $5 will make a difference, let me tell you that it does! $5 can mean postage for the next packet that has to be mailed to the adoption agency. $5 can be new clothes for a child. $5 can be a weeks worth of food in some cases. So please don't ever think that what you have to give isn't enough, because it is!
Find out more! If adoption has been put in your heart, don't let the unknown or finances stand in your way. At least take the time to learn more and find out what your options are. Whether it's through domestic infant adoption, foster care, adoption through foster care, or international adoption of a waiting child; there are so many ways to make a family.
Adoption has changed our lives not only by allowing us to have a family, but it has opened our eyes to things we used to ignore. There are thousands of children in this world who need a forever home. Don't ignore their faces any longer. This is the perfect month to figure out how you can start supporting adoption.