First she was an adoptive mother through a closed adoption, then a birth grandmother in an open adoption. One woman tells her story of faith, fate, and of being on two sides of the adoption triad.
31
Aug
In Moving Letter, Birth Mother Shares Her Love with Her Son
One birth mother writes a letter to her son, four years after his adoption, telling him what she wants him to know about her decision to place him for adoption.
31
Jul
Terri’s Story: What It’s Like to Be a Birth Mom
A birth mother’s moving story of placing her child for adoption while struggling with bipolar disorder, and how far she’s come since then.
11
Oct
What Makes My Open Adoption Work – Thoughts from a Birth Mother
From the start, I was open with my son’s parents about wanting the adoption to be open, and while the openness agreement is not legally binding, I knew it needed to be respected for the sake of my son. I was also transparent about wanting to slowly transition from a custodial parent to more of a birth parent role. Therefore, I had frequent contact with my son that lessened over the first two years of placement. I saw him every couple of months until I was comfortable not seeing my son as frequently. My son’s parents also communicated a need with me around the same time that they really needed more space.
28
Sep
Why Open Adoption is Important to Birth Mothers
The question is: why is having an open adoption important to me? Having an open adoption means I stay connected with my child. Just because I made a decision not to parent every day doesn’t mean I don’t want to have a relationship with my child. I also believe that us having a relationship is better for him as well in the long run.
19
Sep
5 Ways to Help a Birth Mother Heal After Placement
It is ultimately up to a birth parent to take responsibility for their own healing after placement. As adoptive parents, there are a few key things you can do to help a birth parent with the process after placement.
14
Sep
Have Faith in Your Child’s Birth Mother
I made a conscious, thought out choice to put my son up for adoption. I also made sure that I chose his parents wisely. That’s right, I chose my son’s parents. The family was not forced upon me, the decision was not made for me, I was actively engaged along every step of the way. I have an open adoption, and voluntarily placed my son up for adoption. My son’s parents know that I chose them. I know that they value that gift. I want to share some insight into that relationship and encourage adoptive parents to know they are valued, and respected for the gift that adoptive parents give to a birth mother.
31
Aug
Tips for Bonding with Your Child’s Birth Parents
Bonding with my son’s mother has come more naturally to me at certain times, and felt more difficult at other times. There were times that I felt insecure about bonding with her because I was afraid of what she might think of me. I think I realized that she was fearful of the same thing. You see, people are people, no matter what role they play in life. Whether you are a birth mother or an adoptive parent, you are still human. Human beings get fearful and insecure about what others might think of them. We may second guess actions that we take or words that we speak. Confidence doesn’t come easy for the fallible human being. Therefore, bonding with a birth parent may feel like a challenge.