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I want to be adopted but I am a minor.

Asked Jun 2, 2012, 03:46 PM — 58 Answers
I live in a family where affection is unheard of. As of recent, my father has become calmer. But my mother is distant. My father used to be very angry, very aggressive. Manic. Impulsive. Loud. I've been hit in the past without reasoning. Without justification other than that of his own anger. I also had an experience of sexual abuse from a sibling when I was very young. I've grown up in a reality where I feel, genuinely, that I do not exist. My physical presence has always shocked me, every day. The existence of myself makes no sense to me. I was severely depressed for three years. No real help was offered. I cut myself for five. They have no idea. I starve myself, often. I know absolutely nothing about my mother and I'm sure she doesn't know anything about herself either. I do know she has been through a lot. She has been mugged, held to her head by a gun, she's been hi-jacked. She has had two miscarriages. She has been in a car accident. She has been the wife of a man who has been cheating on her for my whole life. She is not depressed. She is not empty. She is not emotional. She is materialistic and superficial. She doesn't know anything about me. At the risk of sounding like a whining teenager, I need to state that I am not understood in this family. I am the weird one. The silent one. I have, over the past year and a half, gotten to know my friend's mother. She is just like me. In terms of the realms in which we're from. We think the same. She makes me smile. She makes me cry whenever I have to leave her house. We openly express our love for one another. Mother and daughter love. She feels like my mother. I have never felt a love like this before, in my life. A child-like love, where ones mother's arms are so inviting. I wrote her a mother's day card and she cried. She is incredible. Constantly present in my mind. And when I'm with her I feel in place. She says she wishes she had had a daughter, she only has sons, whom are my friends from school. I'm 17 this year. When she says this, I say 'You can adopt me' and I laugh. And she says 'I will' - she loves me, guys. She is an incredible mother. Anyway, sorry about that- How could I go about being adopted? This woman is serious. And honestly, I feel there is nothing more I need in life than the love of a family. She is my family. Her presence is right. When I was depressed, she offered to pay for me to speak to a psychologist. She has taken me to a day-spa before. She loves me. I've never felt it before.

58 Answers
Wondergirl's Avatar
Wondergirl Posts: 31,331, Reputation: 24128
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#41

Jun 3, 2012, 12:04 PM


Do you love yourself? That's where love must begin.
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frenchmusic's Avatar
frenchmusic Posts: 37, Reputation: 4
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#42

Jun 3, 2012, 12:05 PM
Like I've said. I've dealt with my depression. Yet I am still dealing with it. I understand it will be a part of my life for as long as I live. But it will not kill me. It is not killing me like it used to.

You know how I spend this weekend? I went to my friends house, sat outside with his mom. On the grass with several blankets and a guitar. And I rested my head on her shoulder. and we spoke until 2am. She went to sleep and in the morning I took her children on a picnic (9 year old son, 12 year old son - then my 17 year old friend) for her so she could have some peace at home. I played soccer with her sons and I put their jerseys on them so they don't get sick.

I am already a part of that family. It makes no sense living here. Just as I feel my existence doesn't make sense here.

With her, it makes sense.

I've turned my pain into experience, I've gained wisdom. I feel much older than I am. So everything tends to be trivial to me- but this is not. This love. I'm older, wiser, and calmer now. I have recently been practising meditation and that helps both relax me and energize me. Two of my biggest physical struggles.

I am on the right road. I have never been in such a good space. It is because I have a mother now.
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JudyKayTee's Avatar
JudyKayTee Posts: 45,370, Reputation: 23523
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#43

Jun 3, 2012, 12:12 PM
She's not your mother. It's a romantic thought, but it's not the truth. So she sits outside with you until 2AM. You then care for her children for her so she has peace at home. You care for her children so they don't get sick. Where is she during all of this? Those children are her responsibilities, not yours. If she can't sit up until 2AM and take care of her children she should go to bed earlier.

This is a little too hippie-guitar playing-peace and love for me. This ADULT is doing you (a CHILD) absolutely no favors. I can't believe your friend isn't somewhat resentful - and deservedly so. I can't address South Africa but in the US this ADULT female could be charged with parental interference.

And depression does not last a lifetime - lots of depressed people take medication, lead totally successful and happy lives.

You are gone from home overnight, caring for another person's children? Do you have any responsibilities at home?
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frenchmusic's Avatar
frenchmusic Posts: 37, Reputation: 4
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#44

Jun 3, 2012, 12:13 PM
Do I love myself? That's a difficult question I've been asked before.

It never made sense to me. Because I never felt real. Ever. I could never fathom my actual existence. I've always felt like a memory.

I love myself when I am with my "mother" (my friend's mom) - typing that makes me cry. Tears of appreciation. Like I said in my first post- I feel in place with her. Genuinely real. And existent. And present. And seen. And heard. And felt.
More than I could ever ask for.

I love myself now. But it's difficult when I'm here. In this house. In this dark and this silence. It's hard to merely use personal pronouns like "I" and "my"

But a fraction of my consciousness know I am alive. I just need to be in a place to trigger it all.

Moderately difficult question.
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JudyKayTee's Avatar
JudyKayTee Posts: 45,370, Reputation: 23523
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#45

Jun 3, 2012, 12:19 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by frenchmusic View Post
It never made sense to me. Because I never felt real. Ever. I could never fathom my actual existence. I've always felt like a memory. ... But it's difficult when I'm here. In this house. In this dark and this silence. It's hard to merely use personal pronouns like "I" and "my" ... But a fraction of my consciousness know I am alive. I just need to be in a place to trigger it all.

A little too teenage dramatic for me - sort of the South African version of MacBeth.

WG, I'm out of this. OP doesn't want advice. She wants help with her creative writing skills. Again, a little too over the top dramatic for me. I see tons and tons of self pity.

WG, it's all yours!
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frenchmusic's Avatar
frenchmusic Posts: 37, Reputation: 4
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#46

Jun 3, 2012, 12:22 PM
JudyKayTee - that was one weekend. Don't take things out of context so dramatically. I offered to take them, anyway. She was awake, making breakfast for us all. She didn't ask anything of me. I just felt more than a little bit compelled to reciprocate the love she gives me. My friend is not resentful in the least, we're not 12 years old. I wouldn't associate myself with such immature people. He is so happy for me. He is extremely happy I'm doing so well. You should see me when I'm with them.

I know myself well. I know myself so well. I KNOW I will struggle with depression through out my life. And I'm not afraid. I learn from pain. I appreciate pain as it literally makes me a better person. I will always learn from depression.
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joypulv's Avatar
joypulv Posts: 11,884, Reputation: 9171
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#47

Jun 3, 2012, 12:29 PM
'I've grown up in a reality where I feel, genuinely, that I do not exist. My physical presence has always shocked me, every day. The existence of myself makes no sense to me.'

I can relate to that (but I am now 65).

I'm glad you have found a loving mother. I wouldn't count on adoption happening though. It could be that she is just making you feel wanted, but by the time an adoption went through (even if your parents both signed the papers) you will most likely be 18, and I just don't see even the most loving parent willing to adopt you now. You are intelligent but I'm not sure how realistic you are. There's something sort of dreamy and full of drama about you (cutting out lights but not expensive cell phone)? Describing scenes of leaning on her in an idyllic setting. This is nice but it isn't the next 5, 10, 20 years - her children will leave home and so will you.

Your real mother has been through some horrible situations and you mention them, but don't seem to be interested in seeing her superficial and materialistic character as a defense mechanism. I suppose that we don't do that when young - a parent is merely a parent, not a person so much. And a failure if we aren't loved. Someday you will look back and see.

Good luck with a very near adulthood.
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frenchmusic's Avatar
frenchmusic Posts: 37, Reputation: 4
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#48

Jun 3, 2012, 12:31 PM
I've already gotten my solution. I've already taken the advice. I'm going to move out. Simple as that.
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frenchmusic's Avatar
frenchmusic Posts: 37, Reputation: 4
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#49

Jun 3, 2012, 12:45 PM
Joypulv, I take that to heart and really respect that. Thank you. I understand.

I know it's her coping mechanism by the way. Just as my father's anger is his.

I guess it's just illogical to me. As my defense mechanism is to turn to pain.

Thank you so much. I respect that.
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Wondergirl's Avatar
Wondergirl Posts: 31,331, Reputation: 24128
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#50

Jun 3, 2012, 01:02 PM


Quote:
Originally Posted by frenchmusic View Post
As my defense mechanism is to turn to pain.
No, I don't see pain as your defense mechanism. Do you really understand what a defense mechanism is?
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