Katherine Heigl Always Knew She Was Going to Adopt

Photo: Lester Cohen / Wireimage

We focus a lot on pregnancy stuff at The Bump, but we love to hear great family adoption stories. And for actress Katherine Heigl, adoption was always her first option. Katherine adopted her first child, Naleigh (who’s now three years old) with her husband, singer Josh Kelley in 2009. Recently, she told Scholastic Parent & Child magazine, “Josh and I started talking out it before we were even engaged. We have talked about having biological children as well, but we decided to adopt first.” Katherine, who has an adopted sister from Korea, knew she wanted to adopt a child from Korea.

The actress also talked honestly about some struggles that came with adopting, for her and her husband. “Anyone who doesn’t have experience with adoption wonder, does love for a child come through DNA?” she says. “My mother had biological children and an adopted child and said it made absolutely no difference. They’re yours. You love them the moment they’re put into your arms. Josh had to learn that, but he was so gracious and accepting.” And while her husband had to get used to the notion, Katherine said she was the one who had a harder time creating a bond with their daughter, since Josh had connected with Naleigh right off the bat.

And as for parents of newly-adopted children, Katherine advises them to not be discouraged if it takes a while to bond with their new child because she says, “The reward is so great.” The actress adds that she’d love to adopt again.

Plus, more from The Bump:

More Pregnancy and Parenting News

Different Types of Adoption

How Do We Prepare for Adoption?

-- Sarah Yang

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