Love is Enough

There's this saying surrounding adoption that says, "Love is not enough." Those who promote this are trying to communicate that it takes a lot more than love to raise a child whom you adopt.

But, love is more than hugs, kisses, and warm fuzzy feelings.

  *Love is providing for their needs.

  *Love is getting up in the middle of the night.

  *Love is staying up while your child has night terrors.

  *Love is cleaning vomit up after your child projectile vomited off the balcony and onto your kitchen counter (not that this happened at my house. ;) ).

  *Love is discipline when needed.

  *Love is reading to them.

  *Love is setting boundaries.

  *Love is sitting with a tantruming child, reassuring them you are there.

  *Love is figuring out healthy ways to help them calm down.

  *Love is teaching not to hurt others when they're angry.

  *Love is asking for forgiveness when you know you've not handled a situation well.

  *Love is doing what's best for the child even when it means having your heart break.

  *Love is doctor's appointments.

  *Love is standing up for your child when they are treated with injustice.

  *Love is embracing new foods, and a different culture from your own.

  *Love is paperwork.

  *Love is a physically safe environment.

  *Love is giving your child nutritious food.

  *Love is celebrating milestones.

  *Love is serving, even when you get nothing in return.

  *Love is putting your heart on the line, because they might not love you back.

  *Love is figuring out what makes your child smile.

  *Love is recognizing trauma triggers.

  *Love is helping them process their trauma.

  *Love is providing a safe place for them to come.

  *Love is being the safe person to turn to.

  *Love is cleaning up accidents.

  *Love is holding them accountable for their mistakes, helping them correct them, and learn from them.

  *Love is helping them maintain a relationship with their birth family when possible, and recognizing when it's not healthy to.

  *Love is therapy sessions.

  *Love is praying with them, and for them.

  *Love is addressing your own issues that surface as you parent a child from a hard place.

  *Love is making them a part of your family.

  *Love is getting to know them for who they are, not who you hoped they would be.

All these children need is love.