Holidays Through the Eyes of Adoptees: A Four-Part Series with Tony Hynes, Ph.D. – Adoption Perspectives on Father’s Day

Holidays are often a time of joy and celebration for adoptive families. However, for adoptees, these same occasions can also bring a mix of emotions, including reminders of the losses they’ve experienced.

In this four-part series, Tony Hynes, Ph.D., who joined his family through adoption, will explore the unique emotional landscape holidays can create for adopted individuals.

Each session will focus on a specific holiday—Birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and the Fall/Winter Holiday Season—highlighting the distinct challenges and emotions these days may bring.

Participants will gain insight into common themes adoptees experience around holidays, such as feelings of disconnection from their adoptive families, longing for birth families, and a sense of not fully belonging in either world. Societal expectations around holiday celebrations often shape how adoptees feel they should respond, adding layers of guilt, shame, or isolation to what may already be a complicated emotional experience.

By better understanding the holiday experiences of adoptees, we can offer deeper, more empathetic support to them and their families throughout the year.

We look forward to sharing this meaningful and impactful dialogue with you.