On the occasion of Mother’s Day 2022, we at IFORHER decided to celebrate women who have embraced motherhood by adopting a baby. While all mothers are worth celebrating, we must say a woman, who decides to adopt, is a bit extra-special. Because, when a woman decides to adopt she not only satisfies her own motherly needs, but also gives a child a chance at experiencing the amazing love that they were missing.
In the country, where there’s a social stigma attached to adopting a child, the woman, who decides to adopt, fights against the age-old regressive thinking that our children need to be of our own blood. Today, we’d like to give those women in our country a special shout-out as they gathered the courage to stand against society to accept abandoned kids as their own!
Here are five such women who shared their stories of being proud mothers through adoption and babies they gave a new life to.
Raveena Tandon, mother to two beautiful girls, Chaya and Pooja
“I decided to adopt for one reason specifically–because I felt that these two girls needed family and support. Adopting children as an unmarried Indian woman was a big step back then. It was hard, but I’d like to hope society is changing. A woman does not have to be married to want a child. I have always wanted to be a mother. I vividly remember how they entered my life. Pooja was 11 and Chaya was eight. I was a young, wannabe mother–trying to adapt to the new life. Pooja, being a rebellious one, taught me patience and tolerance. I think her fighter/survivor instinct channelized into her being a suave successful entrepreneur with leadership qualities. Chaya was quite vulnerable but has gradually moulded herself into a confident young girl. Both are married now, handling their lives, marriage, family, and work so beautifully. I feel a sense of pride when I see both my girls living their lives so sensibly, with evolved maturity. My daughters and I are the best of friends, and I strongly advocate adoption because I believe that making someone a part of your life through this method provides a deeper sense of gratification.”
Sushmita Sen, mother to adorable daughters – Renee & Alisah
“In the (case of) natural birth, mother and child connect through the umbilical cord but in adoption, the mother and the child are connected by this higher power, a connection that you cannot cut off. I have had the privilege of experiencing it twice. To become a mother who has given birth from the heart. I have not missed a day of feeling the joy of motherhood…The wisest decision I made at the age of 24 was to become a mother. It stabilised my life. People think it was a great act of charity and wonderful action but it was self-preservation. It was me protecting myself.”
Sunny Leone, mother to the adorable Nisha Kaur Weber
“Nisha is the best gift I could ask for. She is so beautiful and amazing! From being in a foster home to coming home with us, watching her adjust to her new life has been so amazing. It is just that God brings people in your life, when it is the right time. I look forward to seeing her when she wakes up in the morning and I’m the last person to see her when she goes to bed. I love feeding and playing with her. Daniel and I are truly hands-on parents. We just want to do everything because she lost that time and we want to make up for it. She needs to know that we are her parents now and we are going to love and look out for her, forever.”
Mary Kom, mother to adorable Neivar Merilyn Kom
The 37-year-old, who is a mother of three adorable sons, wanted a baby girl to complete her family. And Mary’s prayers were finally answered. While talking to Deccan Chronicle, Mary Kom recollected the details of when she adopted her daughter: “When we were talking about adopting a girl, Merilyn came into our lives. On November 26th, 2018, two good things happened to me. The first, I won gold at the World Championships in Delhi and the second, Merilyn came into my life. When I was standing on the podium with tears, I was waiting to hold my little girl. Now, I can say my family is complete,”
Sakshi Tanwar mother to adorable Dityaa
At age of 45, Sakshi Tanwar, the single mom adopted Dityaa. She took to social media and shared her happiness. She wrote, ”With the blessings of my parents and the support of my family and friends, I have adopted a baby girl who would soon turn 9 months old. I am extremely delighted to share my happiness with you as I welcome the bundle of joy in my life. This is undoubtedly the greatest moment of my life and I and my entire family are elated to embrace Dityaa. She is the answer to all my prayers and I feel blessed to have her in my life.”
While sharing her thoughts on motherhood, she mentioned, ”I am going through exactly the same phases as every mother. I must add that it’s all about sleepless nights, but endless joy. My friends keep telling me that I am no more the same Sakshi. Honestly, I really want to wrap up everything and rush back home by 8 pm now, as my daughter’s nanny leaves around the same time. I want to spend all my time with her. It’s been close to seven months that I have even watched a film at the theater. I just don’t feel like going out and leaving her alone. For me, she is far more entertaining than anything or anyone.”
At IFORHER, we salute these mothers who are the role models our society needs!