Adoption has brought “whirlwind of adventure” for new mum

This week is National Adoption Week and former Swansea Council employee Karyn has reflected on how her life has changed.

She had dreamed of becoming a mum but faced fertility difficulties and then separation, however with the support of family and friends took the decision to adopt and has not looked back.

Karyn said: “My life is totally different since becoming mum to a little girl.

“I am now sat down at the time pre-sale tickets are available for ‘Bluey’, constantly tired, always have wet wipes with me and eat more ‘pom bear’ crisps than my daughter as I polish them off when she is asleep.

“Life is a wonderful whirlwind and full of adventures, seeing the world through my daughter’s eyes is the most amazing thing in the world.

“Walks on the beach, woods and park take forever, as we stop to look at things and explore. I wouldn’t change it for the world and feel hugely privileged to be her adoptive mummy.”

Karyn adopted with the Western Bay Adoption Service which works to find permanent loving homes for children and young people that desperately need them.

She said: “I knew the process would be tough and there were a lot of highs and lows but it was definitely worth it.

“I am a social worker so have direct experience of child protection, fostering and adoption process.

“Applying to adopt was a completely different experience, I was the ‘client’ being assessed.  I found the process very reflective and emotional, but I also gained a different insight to myself in terms of strengths I didn’t realise I had.”

Swansea Council has adoption and fostering friendly policies in place to support staff and Karyn said this was a huge help.

“I was able to use adoption leave to attend introductions and then to have time when my daughter was placed with me,” she added.

“Having the policy in place to allow for flexible working and the support from my manager to prepare for the arrival of my daughter, which is intense to say the least, meant that there was one less thing to worry about and it was so reassuring to know that I could work flexibly in order to achieve my dream of becoming an adoptive mum.”

The Western Bay Adoption Service needs more prospective parents like Karyn to come forward and has friendly and skilled staff who are available to chat with people to help them understand if adoption is suitable for them and then guide them through the process.

Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Care Services, Louise Gibbard, said: “Thinking about adoption is a life-changing decision but our colleagues at Western Bay are second to none in the support and advice they provided.

“There are local children who for a variety reasons need loving parents to help secure their futures and I’d urge anyone who is considering adoption to contact Western Bay.”

Contact the Western Bay Adoption Service be phoning 0300 365 22 22 or emailing enquiries@westernbaydoption.org

[Lead image: Swansea Council]