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01244 390 938
April, a solo adopter from Liverpool, first shared her story with us in October 2025, which you can read here: Adopter April – October 2025 – Adoption Matters It took a while for April to enquire about adopting, mainly over fears her circumstances – being a single queer woman and living in a small home. Instead, everything she thought might be a barrier turned out to be a strength.
Here, April gives an update on their journey since becoming a family two and half years ago:
“My little boy came home to live with me two and a half years ago, and it’s been a rollercoaster ever since.
I’ve had an amazing amount of support from my adoption agency, Adoption Matters, my original social worker, therapeutic social workers and, of course, the networks of adopters I’ve met along the way.
During that time, we’ve experienced some really big changes. We’ve moved house to a new city and he’s started at a new school, so there has been a lot for him to adjust to.
I was very worried about those changes, but the support I received from Adoption Matters in helping him prepare was exceptional. Thanks to that, he’s taken it all pretty much in his stride. He’s loved exploring new places and it’s been an absolute joy to watch him grow in confidence and embrace new experiences.
When I look back at photographs from the days he first moved in, I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone or how much he’s grown and changed. Back then, I was pushing him around in a buggy. Now he’s out running me every single day.
He loves being outdoors and watching him experiment with climbing, pushing, jumping and exploring the world around him is such a joy. I can’t believe I get to watch his little mind and body figure things out for the very first time.
Of course, it’s been hard work, as parenting always is. Adoption can bring additional challenges, or perhaps just different challenges, and having support from friends, family and other adopters has been invaluable.
One of the things I’ve appreciated most is the ongoing support from Adoption Matters, which has introduced me to different networks and communities of adopters. Through those networks I’ve made genuine friendships with other adopters.
It’s reassuring to know there’s always someone who understands, someone who can answer questions, and someone I can support in return. It’s a really special network of people that you’re not pushed into, but gently encouraged to become part of.
Like any parenting journey, we’ve had our hiccups and setbacks along the way. As a solo adopter, there have been times when it’s felt particularly challenging. One of the biggest adjustments was returning to work after a year of adoption leave. Suddenly, I wasn’t with my little boy all the time anymore, and that was a difficult transition for me.
Now, though, we’re settling into new routines. We’ve got the rhythm of school every day, his little uniform, stopping at the park on the way home, and the benefits of being much closer to both work and school. We’re building a wonderful family life together.
And, of course, that family life comes with all the usual chaos: not putting shoes on when we’re supposed to, running late for everything, food and mess everywhere. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Watching him grow, learn and thrive has been the greatest joy, and I feel incredibly lucky to be on this journey with him.
Thinking about adoption? Download our free adoption information guides to learn more about the adoption process, who can adopt, and the support Adoption Matters provides before, during and after adoption.
