Surrogacy and adoption have long been common avenues for growing a family. But two couples from Texas have given this approach a unique spin by keeping the process within one biological family.

Scott Gordon reported on this unique adoption story in a Feb. 5 article on NBCChicago.com:

In a unique case mixing adoption and a kind of surrogacy, a Fort Worth couple agreed to give their newborn son to their siblings, a couple unable to have children themselves. ...

That's right: Christopher Ryan Smith, who was born Tuesday at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest Fort Worth, will be staying in the family even as he is adopted by new parents.

His biological mother is his adoptive father's sister. His biological father is his adoptive mother's brother. ...

The adopting couple had tried for years. We just kind of gave up hope, said Amy Smith. This is all weve wanted is to have a baby of our own.

Hes definitely a gift, and were going to cherish him, said Amys husband, Ryan.

Labels: biological_parents, biological_children

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Parents who already have one or more biological children, but want to adopt, often wonder if adopting is a good idea. How will their biological children respond? What about the adopted child? Adoption expert Laura Christianson offers some advice:

"So much depends on how [parents prepare] children for the arrival of a new sibling... the of type of support the extended family offers, the family dynamics... the emotional health of the child being adopted."

Christianson often recommends that families seek advice from a counselor or therapist who specializes in adoption. Family counseling during the first few months can help everyone adjust, work through issues and provide family members with excellent tools for managing the transition. Source: Exploring Adoption Blog

Labels: biological_children, siblings

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