Sam and Lyndsay’s Story

Sam and Lyndsay were eager to grow their family and explored different options. They had family members who had adopted and, after many discussions, decided to gather more information.

Lyndsay shared, “We had so much love to give and knew there were many children who needed it. We chose to attend the local authority information session because we valued the idea of having local after-adoption support, and it felt like the right agency for us. We didn’t realise you could adopt if you rented, so the session provided us with a lot of helpful insights. Many of our questions were answered, and we learned about the adoption process.”

They adopted their two boys at different times. Each time, they attended training days and completed a dedicated learning log. “The best part was meeting others in the course, who have become some of our closest friends and biggest support network,” Lyndsay said. “Our experience was so positive that we chose to adopt again.”

“Watching the boys grow up together is such a beautiful experience. Our eldest has been incredibly accepting. He proudly introduces his little brother and is very protective of him.”

The family maintains two types of contact. Their eldest exchanges letters with his birth parents, and as he gets older, he’s becoming more involved. Their youngest visits his half-sibling whenever possible. Lyndsay continued, “We keep the conversations age-appropriate, but we’re open about their journeys, and we’ll keep those conversations going as they grow.”

They also received adoption support for their eldest. A support worker helped them secure funding for sensory play, which was beneficial. “He listens to his support worker more than us, and it’s a valuable lesson to show him that help is always available when he needs it.”

“Being a parent is chaotic, but also fun. The happiness we get from the chaos is immense. The children are very different, with unique needs. We no longer have lazy Sundays—there are laughs, tears, and tantrums—but at the end of the day, when we reflect on all we’ve done, we realise we’ve created lifelong memories.”

Sam’s advice for those considering adoption: “Be open to learning—adoption has evolved and continues to do so. Parenting is hard work, so take care of yourself, and make sure you have a strong support network around you.”