{Adoption Blogger Interview Project} Schumm Explosion

For the second year in a row, it’s time for the Adoption Blogger Interview Project.

This year I was matched with a blogger of another large adoptive family–Allison at Schumm Explosion. They actually make us look small. I immediately related to Allison as she’s an adult adoptee who has done the crazy and has a huge heart for ministry and community.

We both had the opportunity to read through each other’s blogs and ask some questions. Here’s what I asked and what she had to say.

  1. Most don’t want to admit it, but in our family there is a difference between the adopted and bio kiddos. It’s not that we’re less committed or have an unhealthy prejudice, it’s just that the way that a child enters a family matters…on a lot of levels. Have you seen this to be true in your family? What are some differences and how have you handled them? 
    Honestly this is an interesting question to answer because I feel like I’m color blind to these issues.  Adoption is such a normal part of our lives that everybody in our home is treated the same.  I was adopted, and so was my mom and 2 of my 3 siblings.  Our children in the first sibling group moved into our home when I was 7 months pregnant with our oldest biological daughter… so our adopted children are our children first.  11 out of 16 of the people in our home are adopted, so it’s very much a norm.  Not quiet the answer you were expecting?
  2. What are the similarities that you find across all kids…no matter their history?They all have issues. They are all sinners.  I see behaviors in my bio children and children who I have raised since infancy and it makes me realize that my adoptive children are just normal children with hard back grounds.  These behaviors aren’t behaviors that are learn, but just a normal child, that would end up labeled in a child in foster care.
  3. Totally selfish question…What is your best tip for large family living?Learn to go with the flow, learn to let your boys be boys. Learn to cook in mega-bulk and freeze, freeze, freeze.  Know that you can’t do it all and teach your children to be helpful.
  4. Outside of loving kids…what are your passions and hobbies?I enjoy cooking, writing and arts and crafts. Honestly my passion has become finding home for other children.
  5. What do you wish you had known before you started your adoption journey?I wish I had known to be as fully committed to children as I am now.  I wish I had understood cracked foundations and how children don’t always act their age because of these cracks in the foundations.  I wish I had actually been educated on how to care for African American hair.  I also wish I would not have been so scared of my children’s bio-family in the beginning.

To read the rest of today’s interviews, click here.

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