Episode 58: Family Day vs Gotcha Day

Gotcha Day. This is common vernacular for adoptive families. We just celebrated Wesley's this last week. But then we got to thinking - is that ok to call it that? How do adoptees feel about the word and the spirit of Gotcha Day? We opened this conversation up to Social Media, and we got a lot of really great responses. Most of our friends who have adopted like to celebrate this day as a family, as a means to lift up the culture that the adopted child has come from, and as a celebration of the great joy the adopted child has brought to the family. But a perspective that a lot of adoptive families are missing is that of the adoptee - especially if they have adopted very young children. But speaking to adult adoptees who are able to voice their thoughts and opinions - we got some of those! You can see the whole post here. We, at the Watson home, have decided to no longer call Wesley's adoption day 'Gotcha Day'. We will continue to recognize it as a celebration day for our family, and we do love to celebrate with our friends who have adopted as well. We are mindful that it is a great day of celebration for us, but may cause sadness for Wesley, and other adoptees for missing their biological families. We want to be open to the many layers of emotions that surround most momentous occasions in an adoptees life.   We are always so thankful to be able to have communication with all parties involved in the adoption triad - the birth family, the adoptive family, and the adoptee. All these voices are so important, and when they are in communication with one another, it makes the triangle stronger! Thank you Arrow and Root (if you are looking for someone to create a beautiful and ethical adoption profile book, check her out!) and Alison Shiloh, and of our amazing followers for contributing to this conversation! We love having respectful, humble, and open-minded conversation with everyone who has something to share.  We have no judgment for people who have been using the term 'Gotcha Day', and continue to use it. We will try to educate people on the choice that we have made. But something to remember is that 'you don't know what you don't know', but it's important to have a spirit of wanting to learn, grow, and improve, every day. For the good of yourself, and especially your children. The (Good) Word of the Day: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." 2 Peter 3:18 May we all be growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus! It will cause us all to be kinder, more compassionate, and more forgiving. This leads us to be able to understand others, and to seek to be understood afterwards. May we all try to grow in the grace and knowledge of one another, as well. Thanks for tuning in to another week of the Fostering Voices Podcast! If you want to connect on Social Media: Jihae Watson on Facebook Chris Watson on Facebook Fostering Voices on Instagram Jihae Watson on Instagram AND we would LOVE it if you would leave us a review on iTunes! This helps others to find our podcast so we can share these voices from the foster care and adoption community with more people!