When Your Child Wonders, “Am I a Mistake?” Gentle words for adoptive parents navigating deep questions
- Sherrie Eldridge
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Has your child ever asked something so deep, so unexpected, it made your heart skip a beat? In our adoption journey, one quiet question changed everything:
“What if I’m a mistake?”
A Glimpse into Bryce’s Adoption Story
In the story, young Bryce hides under the dining room table, curled by the warm air vent, gently rocking. When his mom finds him and asks what’s wrong, his answer is heartbreaking:
“I think I’m a mistake.”
But instead of rushing to fix it, Bryce’s mom does something simple—she makes an ice cream shake.
As the blender hums, she speaks life into her son’s aching heart:
“Your life began way before you were born—in the heart of God.”
“You are not a mistake. You are God’s idea.”
A Prayer to Speak Over Your Child
Whether whispered at bedtime or said out loud on a hard day, this prayer is a reminder of identity and belonging:
Dear God, Thank You for making me. Even when I feel sad or forgotten, help me remember that You love me, You see me, and You will never leave me. I am not a mistake. I am Your idea. Amen.
Activity: The “God’s Idea Mirror”
Bring the message to life with this heartwarming activity for your child.
What You’ll Need:
A mirror
Sticky notes or construction paper
Markers or crayons
Tape
Instructions:
Let your child look in the mirror and smile!
Together, write or draw what makes them special.
Around the mirror, place sticky notes that say:
“I am loved.”
“God made me on purpose.”
“I am not a mistake.”
Tape it up somewhere they’ll see it every day.
Tip: Turn it into a morning routine! Add a sticky note each day with something they love about who God made them to be.
💛 To Every Adoptive Parent Reading This…
If your child has ever whispered, “Why was I adopted?” or “What did I do wrong?”—know this:
They are not broken. They are not a mistake. And neither are you.
God sees you. He’s with you in every bedtime tear, whispered prayer, and table-side moment. Your parenting is part of a story written in heaven.
📘 Want the Full Story?
Bryce’s Adoption Story is a gentle picture book for adopted children who carry big questions in little hearts. It includes spiritual truths, a guided prayer, and this healing activity.
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