Hampshire council leader shares adoption family story

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

A Hampshire council leader has described how adoption created his family through everyday moments of care and commitment.

National Adoption Week takes place from October 19 to 25, with this year's theme 'Every Day is Everything'. The campaign emphasises that adoption is not about being a perfect parent, but about being present day after day to build trust, security and belonging.

Hampshire council leader Nick Adams-King has shared his family's adoption story. His journey began on a beach in Spain in 2008, when he and his husband discussed creating a family together. When they were told about a little boy who might become their son, they sat at their kitchen table holding hands, excited and terrified about what lay ahead.

Adams-King described how his family's story contained both joy and sadness. His mother died the day before their son's transition to live with them began. At this moment of profound personal loss, the boy brought light, purpose and hope. When their son was seven, he told them: 'When I first came to live here, I couldn't work out who my family were. I kept expecting a mummy to appear. Then I realised it was the two of you—and that was OK.'

The family later grew when they adopted a daughter. Adams-King visited her foster parents before the adoption, who had been given their names but not told they were a same-sex couple.

How it is being reported

• ‘He was our son and we were his family forever’: An adoption story of love and lossNational Adoption Week takes place from October 19 to 25.Romsey Advertiser · 17 Oct, 05:00
• Hampshire council leader shares how adoption made a family through ‘everyday moments’National Adoption Week, October 19 to 25: Hampshire leader Nick Adams-King shares his family’s adoption story and why everyday moments mean everything.Basingstoke Gazette · 17 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Nick Adams-King · Hampshire · Spain

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