For so many, Adoption is a beautiful journey of motherhood. While there are myths that surround adoption and it comes with its own challenges, adoption can be unlike any other parenthood journey. In this episode, Yamel is joined by her high school friend and an adoptive parent, Emily Munoz, who unpacks her story about adoption and the importance of boundaries and honesty in the process.
Emily Munoz is the owner of GettinCraftEWithIt where she creates hand-crafted shadow boxes, personalized gifts and provides event decor and rentals. You can stay updated with her business on Instagram. Follow her on Instagram to learn more about her adoption journey.
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This episode leans heavily into Emily’s personal experience with adopting her son Jaxon, and unpacks some of the lessons she learned early on.
Emily’s Adoption Story
Emily is a true multi-hyphenate, juggling her role as a small business owner, a career service manager in bustling New York City, and a loving mother to her eight-year-old son Jaxon. While she had originally planned to give birth and then adopt, her path to motherhood took an unexpected turn. Despite many setbacks, Emily persevered through a challenging two-year adoption process to bring home a precious two-month-old son, Jaxon. Throughout the adoption journey, Emily reflected on her desire to experience pregnancy and childbirth, but ultimately found that adoption provided her with a complete and fulfilling parenthood experience. Emily met the challenges head-on and successfully navigated the obstacles along the way.
Talking About Adoption With Your Child
At the tender age of five, Emily’s son Jaxon, asked to see photos of him in her belly. She shares a touching moment when she tells Jaxon that he was not born from her belly, but from her heart, and that’s what led to their conversation about his birth mother. She talks about the fear of someone else telling Jaxon before she had the chance to and the need to correct family members who may not understand the situation. Emily emphasizes the importance of openness with her son about his adoption and biological family, and encourages parents to trust their instincts about when and how to have this conversation with their child, but also suggests seeking out the assistance of therapists who specialize in helping adoptive families.
Coping With Your Child’s Transitions
Emily expressed that establishing a permanent role in her son's life is the most crucial. She stresses the significance of transparency and forthrightness, aiming to ensure that her son, Jaxon, is aware of her
Keep in touch and in the loop with Yamel on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
