Think positive. Adopt elder children

Most prospective adoptive parents want to adopt an infant. We at Snehankur often wonder why many educated parents waiting for adoption do not accept elderly kids. Why is there such a lack of trust and confidence? We have learnt that many parents are afraid of non acceptance and rigidity of elder children. We know that this fear is unfounded and imaginary. Children can and will accept the family very easily. It is upto the adults to trust and accept these children. They have been waiting for parents and a family for years and will happily embrace you. 


While it is a routine activity for the team in Snehankur to handover children to prospective adoptive parents, yesterday was a very satisfying experience. Three families, by their own choice, happily accepted children of age 6 years and above, on the same day.


Mrs.Anuradha and Mr.Uttam Suryanshi, though young enough to adopt an infant decided to take an elderly kid in adoption. They had full confidence that, intellectually and emotionally, their child was fit. They added "We have no moral right to deny an elderly kid when he eagerly accepts us as his parents. It would be our weakness if we did not trust this child ". Mrs.Saumya and Mr. Anandteerth Kagwade told that their child was strong and shared his tragic past experiences. He was tough and at the same time loving. They saw in him affection and gratitude which moved their hearts. They felt the same towards their son. He called them Mummy and Pappa from the first meeting. Another family accepted an elderly child who was having a medical problem which could be cured in a few years. The child was distressed when they first met them and asked them innocently if they really want to take him as their child. He said his medical problem seemed like a punishment for no fault of his. "We looked at each other and with tears we hugged our child," the couple told us.


None of the three families are over aged or poor .They may get an infant within few years. But they trusted the children to complete their family today, than wait indefinitely.


The number of abandoned infants has drastically reduced in the last 6 months. Pregnancy prevention pills and  abortion pills are helping to eliminate the issues of unwed mother. While that is a good news, what about the patents waiting for adoption? Now most children available for adoption are between age group of 6 to 12 yrs and we have very few infants. The elderly children lost their parents in unfortunate circumstances. But prospective adoptive parents are hesitating to trust them .We request you, from bottom of our hearts, to leave your prejudices and suspicion. Trust the elderly children. They will surely trust you. .