Taking the First Step
For siblings, being together is where they truly belong. In this blog series, James and Mark share their adoption journey and how it inspired them to open their hearts and home to two brothers, giving them the chance to grow-up, side by side as a family.
This week’s blog is about how James and Mark had spent years talking about parenthood, and what they wanted their future to look like. They had reached a point where adoption felt like the right path but making that first call still felt exciting and daunting at the same time.
There wasn’t one single moment when James and Mark decided to adopt.
Instead, it was a decision that developed over time through countless conversations, shared experiences, and careful reflection. After years of discussing the possibility of becoming parents, it was becoming real.
Like many prospective adopters, they had plenty of questions. They wondered whether they were ready for the responsibility of parenting and whether adoption was truly the right path for them. They also knew that becoming parents would mean major changes to the life they had built together.
Taking Time to Think
One thing that helped them throughout the process was their willingness to be honest with each other.
Rather than rushing into a decision, they gave themselves time to talk things through.
Every conversation brought new questions, but it also brought more clarity.
The more they learned about adoption, the more they realised that many of their concerns were shared by other people considering adoption. They discovered that asking questions wasn’t a sign they weren’t ready, it was simply part of the process.
Learning More About Adoption
As they attended information events and spoke to professionals, James and Mark developed a clearer picture of what adoption involved.
They learnt about the support available to adoptive families, the training provided during the assessment process and the different needs of children waiting for adoption.
The more they understood, the more confident they felt.
What had initially seemed overwhelming, started to feel achievable.
A Life-Changing Phone Call
Eventually, the conversations turned into action.
Mark picked up the phone and made the enquiry that would change their lives.
Looking back now, it might seem like a small moment, but at the time it felt enormous.
Neither of them knew exactly where the journey would lead. They certainly didn’t know that one day they would become parents to two young brothers.
What they did know was that they were ready to find out whether adoption could be part of their future.
They eventually spoke to Family Adoption Links Leicestershire and found it helpful to be able to ask lots of questions and talk openly about their worries with the team.
And with that one phone call, their journey began
Looking Ahead
As they moved through the adoption process, James and Mark found themselves learning more about the children waiting for adoption, understanding more about children’s experiences and what their needs may be in the future. The different types of families they might become.
At first, they had imagined adopting one child.
But their own experiences of growing up with siblings would soon lead them to think differently.
Next week:
Why Siblings Mattered.
James and Mark explain why they changed their minds about adopting one child and how the idea of adopting siblings became an important part of their journey.
