10 Ways to Show Love to Adoptive Families

Adoption is about caring adults (couples, singles, experienced and first-time parents) joining kids in their story and weaving families together. Almost all of the adoptions PCHAS facilitates today are for children in the Texas foster care system, so that means the adoptive families we work with are welcoming kids who have experienced trauma through abuse and/or neglect, and most are school-age and/or part of a sibling group. Adoption is frequently celebrated as a "finish line," but it is actually the starting line for a new, lifelong journey. Adoptive families often need more support and encouragement on their journey than others may know. 

Like foster parents, adoptive families need to know their friends and family are by their side. How you help depends on your gifts, interests, your closeness to the family, and their needs. The important thing is that everyone can show love to adoptive families. Here are some ideas to get you started. 

1.  Make dinner for the family. Consider doing this weekly (or often), and you can set up a meal train to have a small group of friends help consistently lighten the family’s load.

2.  Babysit for the family to give the parents regular time to recharge. Many families find it easier to accept support when the helper is direct and offers several options. “I can babysit for you on the 1st or 2nd Saturday night this month. Is one of those days better for you?” may be easier for a family to receive (and respond to) than a general “let me know how I can help.”

3.  Offer to wash clothes, fold laundry or help with other household chores to help the family.

4.  Bless the family by mowing their lawn. You can even offer to weed and fertilize on the schedule you use for your yard.

5.  Show appreciation through gifts and acts of kindness that are meaningful to the family. An unexpected favorite drink, sweet treat or gift card can brighten someone’s day.

6.  Encourage adoptive families through notes, calls or text messages. Families caring for children from hard places need to know you see and care about them, too. They may be busy and unable to respond, but your words of encouragement are gold!

7.  Pray for adoptive families. They are the guardians of their children's stories, and it may not be appropriate for them to share details, but you can intercede even without the specifics because God knows and cares about their needs.

8.  Listen for extra expenses the family may incur and offer to help them get the things they need.

9.  Be a helper. Extra hands can be beneficial when putting together a birthday party, cleaning up for house guests or handling days with many appointments. 

10.  Stay connected to the family and keep reaching out. Adoption is a blessing, but it can be a lonely road. Many adoptive families are raising kids with histories of trauma and unseen disabilities. They often navigate situations and circumstances most other families don't ever encounter. Your continued friendship and support may be the lifeline they need to continue pouring everything they have into their kids.

We all have gifts and talents, and we can all help adoptive families in some way. If you want to learn more, Join an Online Info Session or Connect With Us at 281-324-0544 or fosteradopt@pchas.org.