What about JT?
One of the most common questions we receive is how JT is doing through the transition. Our little boy is very strong, and he is doing the best he can at this time. When Cuddle Bug was first placed, JT was not sure about this tiny baby that he had to share his Mommy and Daddy with. But after about 2 months, he started warming up to Cuddle Bug and now he just loves him. He asks Cuddle Bug to play with him (cute!!) and does not like when the Parent Aide comes and takes him to visits. Just like adding a baby to the family through the more traditional route, it took time but JT loves his baby brother.
The last few weeks with Sweet Pea here have been, understandably, more difficult for JT. He has to share his toys, because Sweet Pea had none. He has to share his Mommy, because Sweet Pea didn't have anyone to hug her or tuck her in at night. He isn't the only one getting our attention, but he is still the center of our world, just as all of our children are. He has acted out. He has told us he is angry. The good news is that we have seen progress in the last week. JT comes out every morning and asks where Sweet Pea is. If I tell him that she is still asleep, he asks if we can wake her up to play. They hug each other goodnight every day, and they genuinely care about each other.
I know there are people who question our decision and the impact on JT. I can guarantee you that we spent years thinking about the decision to adopt from foster care. We had thought about how this decision would impact JT before he was even born! We check in before we make every decision and think and talk about how it will affect JT. Ultimately, we know that this is difficult for him and that we are asking a lot of this little boy. But we also know that he is strong. He is secure and he has fantastic self-esteem. We are doing as much as we can to help him through this transition. And I just know that once we are through this transition, JT will be such a fantastic brother.
One thing that Kevin and I both agree on is that this is exactly how we want to raise our son. Many people try to teach their children compassion in various ways, like helping those less fortunate on a regular basis. This is such an important lesson to teach our children! And what better way to teach this lesson than to take in children who need a home? JT will grow up understanding compassion and the importance of helping. He will understand what it means to be passionate about a cause, just like his parents are. JT will grow up with siblings of different cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicities. I know there are parents who worry about our biological child. But we are excited for this life that we are providing for our family! We are encouraged and hopeful.
The last few weeks with Sweet Pea here have been, understandably, more difficult for JT. He has to share his toys, because Sweet Pea had none. He has to share his Mommy, because Sweet Pea didn't have anyone to hug her or tuck her in at night. He isn't the only one getting our attention, but he is still the center of our world, just as all of our children are. He has acted out. He has told us he is angry. The good news is that we have seen progress in the last week. JT comes out every morning and asks where Sweet Pea is. If I tell him that she is still asleep, he asks if we can wake her up to play. They hug each other goodnight every day, and they genuinely care about each other.
I know there are people who question our decision and the impact on JT. I can guarantee you that we spent years thinking about the decision to adopt from foster care. We had thought about how this decision would impact JT before he was even born! We check in before we make every decision and think and talk about how it will affect JT. Ultimately, we know that this is difficult for him and that we are asking a lot of this little boy. But we also know that he is strong. He is secure and he has fantastic self-esteem. We are doing as much as we can to help him through this transition. And I just know that once we are through this transition, JT will be such a fantastic brother.
One thing that Kevin and I both agree on is that this is exactly how we want to raise our son. Many people try to teach their children compassion in various ways, like helping those less fortunate on a regular basis. This is such an important lesson to teach our children! And what better way to teach this lesson than to take in children who need a home? JT will grow up understanding compassion and the importance of helping. He will understand what it means to be passionate about a cause, just like his parents are. JT will grow up with siblings of different cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicities. I know there are parents who worry about our biological child. But we are excited for this life that we are providing for our family! We are encouraged and hopeful.
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