Navigating the Emotions of Reconnecting After a Semi-Open Adoption
I have been a birth mom for 21 years and navigating what that journey looks like ever since. For a season, I didn’t share my journey, it was mine, and honestly, it was very personal. I didn’t want to invite anyone else into it; kind of like a kid with candy! I wanted to keep all the good stuff for myself.
Meet Angela
I placed my daughter for adoption in 1996 when I was just 17 years old. During my pregnancy, I struggled with my adoption plan, but one look at her perfection, and the doubt was gone! She was perfect and deserved so much more than I was equipped to provide.
Book Review - Daring Greatly
This wasn't our typical book club choice. Usually, we select something that has an adoption storyline like The Waiting, You Carried Me, or To Have and Not to Hold. But this year, we wanted to read something a little different that might resonate with a wider audience.
A Brief Look at Joy & Grief in Adoption
Of course, when I think about things for any length of time, I tend to see them in view of adoption. There is no moment in life that I can think of where joy and grief are more present (in an all-out battle, if you will) than during an adoption.
Freshman in College, Scared, Nervous & Alone — Shelbi's Story
"This wasn’t a moment to be selfish, it was a moment to be realistic about this child’s future." - Shelbi, birth mom, #BraveLove
The Bond Between Mothers — Charity's Story
"As a birth mom, I am forever grateful for my daughter's mother..." - Charity, birth mom, #BraveLove
I Was Scared that if I Held Her I'd Never Let Her Go — Laurisa's Story
"My gratitude has outweighed any negative feeling that surfaces when grieving." - Laurisa, birth mom, #BraveLove
Birth Mom Connections
There are times I need another person in the room to just know.
There is something holy about community. To have your people who know you and get you and give you a space to be and think and speak. It’s a lot of ands. There’s not just one benefit but many.
If It Were Not For Her — An Adoptee's Perspective on Life and Why She Shares Her Story
"She changed the course of my life and gave me a family, friends, and community of love." - an adoptee, #BraveLove
A Letter to a Younger Me
This letter is intended to reach birth mothers who don’t quite understand their emotions yet of a new placement or even an old one.
"You name it and I've felt it" — a birth mother's story
At 15, I found myself 4 months pregnant. I was lost, ashamed, terrified, and absolutely in love with the life growing inside me.
Paige | An adoptee from Ohio
"You were ahead of your time and I’ve never held anger toward you." - Paige
Meet Allie
Hey there, I'm Allie! I am a birth mother, wife, daughter, blogger, manager and dog mom. My favorite nickname I have is "Mama Allie" which was given to me by the most precious little boy I've ever laid eyes on. I placed my son 6 years ago as of December 2017.
Why It's Important to Share Your Adoption Story — Stephanie's Journey
My biggest sharing moment came about 22 years ago. A good friend of ours was my OB/GYN (he actually delivered my daughter). I don’t remember the exact circumstances, but I shared my story with him in the hope that if he ever had a patient that needed to hear “another side of a pregnancy story”, I could be helpful.
Zachary | A birth father from Georgia
Realizing that I wouldn’t be able to provide for her in the way I felt my daughter deserved was ultimately what led to my decision to adopt. I talked to my parents about it, and they agreed that it would be difficult with me being in the military and raising her on my own. I didn’t think that it would be fair to my daughter to struggle, and I didn’t want to leave her without her father if I had been deployed, and something would have happened to me.
Not a Day Goes By That I Don't Think About Her — Hannah's Story
"Adoption is an extended choice in that another family gets to love the child." - Hannah, birth mom
Changed for the Better — Anya's Story
"Being a birth mom has changed me for the better." - Anya
Together We Are Motherhood
Watch and share this amazingly heartfelt short film - a testament to the power of #BraveLove in honor of #NationalAdoptionMonth!
A Typical 16-year-old with Focus and Dreams in Place — Carmen's Story
How was I going to take care of a baby when my Mom was still taking care of me?
I Will Remember That I Am Strong — Lydia's Story
I was adopted as an infant. Even though I was adopted by wonderful people, who loved me unconditionally, I had always wondered how someone could willingly be parted from their child. But, it’s easy to point fingers when you have no idea what you’re talking about.
In Labor on the Night of Senior Prom — Katie's Story
I did not give up on my daughter, I did not abandon her. I made a conscious decision to give her the best life possible, which in our case meant adoption.
"I Was Scared to Share a Child With Another Woman" — Katie's Change of Heart
When we started talking about adoption I immediately knew I wanted it to be International. What I didn’t realize at the time was how selfish my motives were in making that decision. You see, I was scared to “share” a child with another woman, and I was not interested in being part of such a messy situation.
What She Reminds Herself on Hard Days — Muthoni's Testimonial
"I love that placement day was not the end of a chapter, but the beginning..." - Muthoni, birth mom
When Your Support People Fail You — Emma's Testimonial
“I was a freshman in college who had just turned 19 when I found out I was pregnant. I was terrified. The father didn't want to be involved, and my parents pushed me hard for an abortion."
Adoption Myths
Adoption ranks pretty high on issues people care about but lowest on issues people understand. A recent study found that when it comes to adoption people admit to not knowing much. In fact they know less about adoption than any other social issue measured. Even though most of us have at least one connection to it. So, we thought we'd clear a few things up...