If you’re anything like I was, you’re probably both curious and a little skeptical about joining a support group. Before joining a group, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had imagined various scenarios, all of them based on something I had seen in a tv show or a movie. It was a little intimidating.
In the end, it ended up being a group of men and women sitting in a circle talking about their lives. In other words, it ended up being the most normal thing ever and far less dramatic than anything I had seen in a movie. It ended up being a place where people understood what I was going through, and because of that, could support me in a way that friends and family sometimes couldn’t.
Joining a support group made me feel less alone and it gave me a safe place to talk about my feelings. I made friends. I learned from others’ experiences. I learned to cope.
I started the Philadelphia Area Adoption Support Group after our family building journey led us to adoption. I wanted to create a safe space for all of us who are adopting or considering adoption to connect. While it is worth it in the end, it can be a stressful and confusing process. My hope is that we can help each other navigate this process together.
And if none of the above has convinced you, maybe it will help to know that there will be cookies.
Feel free to reach out if you would like more information about the group (or the cookies) by using the Contact Me link above or emailing phillyadoptiongroup@gmail.com.
For more on my experience with support groups and why I started one, see RESOLVE’s Fall 2013 Newsletter.
Philadelphia Area Adoption Support Group 