Brief Intermission
Thanks for all the positive comments guys! I just want to make it clear that I’m not posting all of this to feel sorry for myself or have others feel sorry for me. Really, I know very few people who had a perfect childhood, so I’m no different than anyone else in that respect.
I just wanted to let you know what adoption can be like for some kids.
I posted this on a popular internet message board, and I couldn’t believe how I got reply after reply where people said, “I’m adopted and was treated that way too.” It’s horrifying.
I think it’s so important to talk about because people who are thinking of adopting need to really search their souls about why they want to adopt, what would happen if they got a girl and not the boy that seems to be such the deep-down preference for so many parents (whether they admit it to themselves or not), and what they would do if the kid didn’t grow up to be perfect.
You’re not leasing a car. You’re taking responsibility for a child. And unless you can embrace this child as 100% yours, even if you have your own children in the future, then PLEASE DON’T ADOPT!
Two more stories to go. 
One of my cousin’s was adopted, but had kind of the opposite family situation from you. It was her dad’s second marriage (out of 5 eventually!), and he already had two kids from his first marriage. His new wife and he treated his first two kids terribly, spending all their money on their new daughter, and virtually ignoring the first two. My grandparents used to send holiday food and toys to all three girls and instead of giving it to the two older girls, they would either give the youngest all the gifts, or more often than not, send the presents for the oldest two to the neighbors and give them nothing! So sad the way parents treat their kids
However, it sounds like you, just like my two older cousins, turned out quite well despite everything else!
Comment by Jenniy — Monday, July 25, 2005 @ 11:17 am
I wasn’t going to chime in; was going to just read and nod in agreement but I guess I’ll say it:
I’m adopted and I was treated that way too.
I could write a book on just the comments alone that people and the adopted family make that cut you right to the center of your heart and soul and make you realize, you will never be accepted as one of their own.
Comment by Serenity — Monday, July 25, 2005 @ 11:36 am