Imagine a five-year old whose parents were wiped out in a car wreck. She’s just attended their funeral and then witnessed their coffins lowered six feet into the ground.
If you were to strike up a conversation with this child as her aunt takes her hand and leads her to the car, what do you believe the child would say?
Would she throw a fit and resist your appearance and voice, or would she compliantly go to the car, with a fake smile?
Just like the little girl, we adoptees either resist those we are placed with, or comply with their expectations in order to avoid further rejection.
Those Who Struggle with Anger/Depression
The majority of adoptees I know struggle with anger/depression issues. I like to use the word “misplaced” because I believe most adoptee anger is misplaced.
It’s primarily against the first mom for going on in life without us, but since she’s not present in at least the parenting role, that anger targets the mom that is nearby, the mom who is parenting.
Those in this category have no trouble acknowledging the anger challenges of being adopted. This includes me, who until the past year couldn’t understand why I emitted anger from my presence, like a leaky car pipe.
Those Who Live A Life of Flashy Denial
But then, there are those adoptees and foster kids and parents who live a life of flashy denial.
Whenever I write about adoptee anger, they come out of the woodwork. They believe it their duty to tell me they’ve never been angry…especially at their moms. After all, their love is flawless.
When they hear about other adoptees getting into deep straits with anger or depression, they thank God Almighty that they’re not like that.
Frankly, I want to erase their messages.
I’ve met many denial freaks like this in the past. As time passes, new tides come in and suddenly adoption is a salient issue.
For those adoptees who admit their neediness, along with me, there is something we can do to move forward toward healing.
I believe the ugly thoughts that come from such brokenness must be validated. This will increase self-awareness and enable us to eventually grow up.
First, consider the adoptee’s or foster child’s relationship with the adoptive mother. These poor moms want nothing more than to be that haven of love for their children who experienced pre-placement trauma, or for some difficult reason, have been removed from their original home.
I think out of every person involved in adoption, the adoptive and foster moms are the individuals I admire the most.
Oh, I know we’re to not have favorites, but I can’t help myself.
They’re in a war they never chose, in a place they don’t belong, and in an ocean that is life-defying.
Suppose her child says, “You’re such a loser, mom. Why should I ever listen to you?”
First, this mom can see through her child’s eyes and understand what her statement really means. “My daughter is trying to tell me that she thinks about herself as a loser. It is really self-hatred.”
Then, she can anchor herself with truth-soaked affirmations:
- God loves me dearly.
- He has every day of my life planned, including this one.
- He is here with me in the messiness of helping my child heal.
- God has called me to parent this child.
Last, she would be willing to reflect the adoptee thought back, “I hear that you see me as a loser mom. I think being a loser mom entitles me to love you, right?”
So, the adoptee hears and is validated.
Then, I would encourage the mom to say, “And, even though it hurts to be a loser mom, I will always love you.”
Parents, I realize you’ve not been taught to do this, but I believe it is essential for your child’s development, for emotional intelligence.
I wish my mom would have given me this kind of truth.
I love you all and am cheering you on.
When I never kept curfews and kept mom waiting up for hours, I wish she would have told me how exhausted she was.
Tell me your response to this post? What do you agree with, disagree with?