We are Family

We have already established that second life is the wonderful virtual platform where you utilise those skills you already possess in RL and do everything you are no able to do, whether this will be to be a werewolf, a fairy, live in a floating home, fly, join a war and not be harmed; but what about families? What leads a person in the gay community to start a family and have offspring? and how do you go about doing that?

There are many ways to get into adopting a child, teenager or adult to call your son or daughter in SL and start your own idea of family bliss. In my own personal case, I did not use an adoption agency. I always half-jokingly say that Skylar was brain-conceived. We met, talked, hit it off in a non sexual way, he’d start coming to me for advice and before I knew it, we were father and son and our lives have never been the same ever since. I believe this experience has made us both better men and has also enriched our lives.

I have run into a few against the idea of SL families, adoptions or even adults playing children, but do bear in mind that most of the people who resort to adoption or playing a child avatar, who his looking to be adopted is probably trying to live that family life he or she never got to experience as a child in RL. What were the motives that pushed me and my son to have a family? In my own personal case, I had been curious about the idea of adopting but never quite ventured into doing it for a number of reasons, that is until I met Skylar. Those hating the family concept in second life might call what me and many others who have bravely ventured into forming a family “playing house”, but I find that definition very limiting and judgemental.

It sure does not feel like a game to me, I am protective of my son and try my hardest to fill in my father’s shoes who were big shoes to fill by the way. I strive everyday to check that he’s safe, happy and that my choices serve as a good example for him to follow, I go to him with any of my worries and even though he’s not much of a talker, it is reciprocal.

It is truly an experience I would not change or trade for anything in the world and for those who are considering giving an avatar a loving home, here are a few links you may find of use

*Making adoptions come true* http://slurl.com/secondlife/EverLasting%20Family/125/218/24

*Kids Place adoption agency* http://slurl.com/secondlife/Yarna/178/66/44

*Adoptions Next Gen INC* (mostly vamps and non humans) http://slurl.com/secondlife/Youth%20Quake/53/142/22

Life gave me the most precious gift a person could be given and I didn’t have to visit an adoption agency, but for those who are not as lucky as me, hopefully these links will be of use

https://www.facebook.com/spikecls