Helene, who is an adoptee herself, made this list for us. One thing I (Katie) have learned as both an adoptive parent and Licensed Clinical Social worker, is that I am not the primary expert or center of adoption. Sure, I can talk about brain science, attachment, and trauma all day long- but I will never know, in my body, how it feels to have one of my foundational experiences being losing my first attachment. That’s why we must #listentoadoptees and learn from their lived experiences and wisdom. There are no two adoptions that are the same, so this is really a lifelong process of learning, and I am open to learning all I can.

You deserve to be connected to your biological family and culture.
It is okay to have complicated feelings about adoption.
You never have to choose between your biological family and adoptive family.
You are in charge of telling your own story.
Your voice, needs, and unique identity matter