“People look at older kids as damaged goods and they’re not!” Robin Wade, 51, and 41-year old Stephanie Wade are definitely in the latter category and are reveling in their children, 13-year old Carlos, Linda, who is 10, and the most recent addition to their crew, 15-year old Maria.
Robin Wade, 51, and 41-year old Stephanie Wade are definitely in the latter category and are reveling in their children, 13-year old Carlos, Linda, who is 10, and the most recent addition to their crew, 15-year old Maria. “The bonding is extremely different than with an infant. With babies, it’s primal, but you have to connect with the older kids on a more intellectual and emotional level,” Robin said, adding, “Communication is much more robust with older kids. The younger ones don’t know yet how to put their thoughts into words.”
Robin, a web manager for California State University and Stephanie, a medical massage therapist, met in Chicago in 2008 and were married in 2010 on Martha’s Vineyard. They relocated to Robin’s home state of California and now live in Long Beach.
They and their two younger children were featured in the November 19, 2013 edition of “Let Love Define Family®” as part of a National Adoption Month series. RaiseAChild is revisiting the family because Robin and Stephanie have welcomed a third child and are among the most enthusiastic cheerleaders for adopting older children.
