From finding the right support to becoming a family of four
For Marcus and Susanne, the journey to becoming parents wasn’t straightforward. Marcus and Susanne’s journey began with fertility treatment. After IVF, they welcomed their daughter into the family. When further treatment proved unsuccessful, they began to explore adoption as a way to grow their family.
They initially approached another adoption agency but left feeling that the experience was too impersonal. A recommendation from a friend led them to Caritas Care, where they immediately felt a difference.
“It was lovely. Welcoming, you felt like a person, not just somebody sat on a chair,” says Susanne.
Finding the right path
After attending an information event, Marcus and Susanne both felt enthusiastic about adoption. They spent time considering what would work best for their family and decided to explore adopting an older child rather than a baby.
Their journey eventually took them to Edinburgh, where they met their son through his social worker and foster carers. They quickly felt a connection and have stayed in touch with his foster family over the years.
When they first met, their son was six years old. After a carefully planned introduction, he asked them a question that they will never forget – “Can I call you Mum and Dad.”
Support along the way
Marcus and Susanne describe the adoption process as thorough, with lots of questions and assessments. Although it could feel challenging at times, they understood why the checks were necessary.
They also valued the support available from Caritas Care, particularly during the early months of becoming a family.
Marcus said, “We knew we had them as backup.”
Having that reassurance meant they could settle into family life knowing they could ask for help if they needed it.
Life as a family
Today, Marcus and Susanne are enjoying life as family of four. Like any family, they navigate the ups and downs of growing up, school and teenage life, recognising that each child has their own individual needs.
Looking back, they believe adoption has given their son the opportunity for a better life. Their advice to anyone considering adoption is “to think carefully about the commitment involved because it’s forever.” But neither would change a thing!
