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Adopting a Sibling Group

Adopting a Sibling Group

Interview with Julie Griggs, America World Adoptive Mom

Adopting a sibling groupWe have a growing number of sibling groups featured in our Waiting Child Photolistings. These children are available for international adoption with the hope they can find a home together. However, as time passes without a match for the group, chances increase that they could be split up to find homes individually.

With the need to find families for these children in mind, we caught up with Julie Griggs to learn more about her personal experience. She and her husband, Aaron, brought three siblings home from India in 2021. Keep reading if you’re wondering what it might be like to go from zero to three children!

How did you decide to adopt?

Throughout our marriage and even before getting married, adoption was something that we talked about and were interested in. We were/are friends with several families with adopted children. When considering how to grow our family, adoption was our first choice. Knowing that there are so many children around the world without loving and stable families created within us a strong desire to welcome children into our family.

How did you choose to adopt from India?

Julie and Aaron Griggs adopted a sibling set from India.We were drawn to international adoption, specifically through various life experiences, including living and traveling abroad. We decided to adopt from India in a roundabout way. We actually decided to use America World as our adoption agency first. When we knew we wanted to adopt, we researched different adoption agencies online. We wanted to work with a Christian agency that was well-established and practiced ethical adoptions. America World’s philosophy of adoption, strong Biblical connection, and multiple resources really resonated with us. Our decision was also solidified by personal connection as we were friends with a family who used America World for their four international adoptions. They always spoke very highly of America World and had good experiences.

After that, we researched the different country options and decided on India based on several factors, including average wait time and financial qualifications. India is a country with a massive population and great need.

How did you choose to adopt a sibling group?

Having siblings is important to both of us. Thus, given that we didn’t have other kids, we went into our adoption with the intent to adopt a sibling pair, two kids of either gender between the ages of 0-8. Our hope was that this would provide each of them with an immediate companion–someone who looked like them, spoke their native language, and could relate to their background.

How did you get matched to Rafi, Meb, and Rachelle?

Adopted sibling setWe ended up being matched with a sibling set of THREE children, two boys and a girl! We actually saw them on the CARINGs site and asked our family coordinator about them. We could not get their little faces and the limited information that was available out of our minds. After several discussions and praying about the decision for a few weeks, we ultimately accepted the match! Since we were only approved for two children, we had to update our home study to allow for three.

What advantages have you experienced from adopting a sibling group?

There are so many! Our children were 7, 5, and 3 when we brought them home. They knew each other well from living together at their orphanage (we know this isn’t always the case with sibling groups). This made leaving the familiar place and people a little easier. They had each other, which definitely helped them transition.

Our oldest son is deaf, but our two younger kids could speak to each other in their native tongue. They also had each other to play with and just be with, which was especially helpful during the initial time in Delhi and upon first coming to join our family. We also didn’t have major sleeping issues or food/eating issues like many adoptive families seem to face…we think this is largely in part because they had each other and were all doing life together.

Since our kids all lived together, they often talk about life at their “old home” (what they call the orphanage they lived in in India) and memories that they have. We are glad that they have that shared beginning, and they take pride in where they are from and their first few years of life separate from us. Our kids also picked up on the English language and American Sign Language quickly, probably because they like to talk so much with each other and are very interested in learning. After 3+ years of being home with us, they remain very close friends and enjoy being with each other!

What have the challenges been?

Adopting a sibling groupEvery adoption story is unique! We started the process with America World in January 2020, unaware of the global pandemic that was brewing. Despite COVID and all the delays, we were still able to travel to India in October 2021 and bring our kiddos home 22 months after starting the process. After 11+ years of marriage without kids, we became instant parents to three beautiful, energetic kids whom we had limited information about and knowledge of! We hit the ground running and haven’t had time to look back. Our lives have been completely changed! Our once quiet, calm home is now loud and chaotic! Our kids are very busy and active.

Initially, with three kids, it was hard to find individual time to bond/connect with each child. It came easiest with our daughter since she was the youngest and was the least independent. However, with time and intentionality, we’ve connected and have a secure attachment with each child.

I left a teaching career to become a full-time mom. We planned for me to take at least a year away from teaching to focus on our kids, but we’re in year four, and I haven’t gone back. There are so many school meetings, medical appointments, and other tasks involved with caring for our family and home. There were also decisions we had to make immediately regarding medical issues and school…times three!

What advice would you give to anyone considering adopting a sibling set?

Adopting a sibling set is definitely the single decision that has had the largest impact on our lives! We suggest that you pray about it. Talk with other adoptive families. Discuss the decision with close friends/family so they can understand and be supportive. But if you decide to adopt a sibling set or just adopt in general, prepare not to be understood by the general public. Adoption is not the traditional way of building a family. Be resolute in your reason for adopting.

Having a supportive community is vital. Our friends and family provided meals, clothes, toys, and so much more during the initial months at home, which was so helpful in allowing us time to become a cohesive family.

Having a clear schedule and organizational system in our home has been helpful in keeping track of multiple kids. But flexibility is crucial. We’ve grown closer as a couple as we lean on each other as teammates in raising our kids. Ultimately, we trust that if God leads you to it, he will provide a way through it!

Anything else?

Sibling group adoptionWe were blessed with three significant adoption grants from Show Hope, Gift of Adoption, and Lifesong for Orphans, funded by the Tim Tebow Foundation Adoption Fund. Without grants and monetary support from friends and family, we would not have been able to fund our adoption. Lifesong has also assisted us in our post-adoption journey by providing funds for therapy not covered by our insurance.

Post-adoption life has been full and very hard at times, but God has been faithful to walk with us through each step. We can’t imagine our lives without our three children! They bring many challenges but so much joy to our lives.

 


 

We are so grateful to Julie for giving us a peek into their adoption process and lives!

What about YOU?

If you want to learn more about adopting a sibling group, visit our Learn About Adoption page to submit a FREE pre-application and to schedule a meeting with one of our intake specialists.

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