For many birth mothers, the decision to place a child for adoption is based upon the belief that this will give the child the best possible chance at a happy and successful life.

In a commentary in the Buffalo News, adoptee and current adoption intake worker Zachary Fried addressed this topic in a personal manner, highlighting the many ways in which he benefited from his birth mother's decision:

I’m an adult adoptee: my birth mom was 16 years old when I was born. I honor her and thank her for making that difficult and mature decision. In many ways, she saved both our lives, and she helped my family achieve an important dream. ...

My birth mom's selfless act gave me the opportunity to have a life that has always been special. I was the first-born child in my adoptive family's home. Adoptive and biological children followed -- and we became a nine-kid family. My siblings are diverse, funny, frustrating (whose aren't?), lovable and very much loved by our parents.

We don’t all look the same, but we're blind to the differences as much as we are meshed in our similarities. We are a family regardless of how we came together. Adoption helped build my family.

Labels: adopted children, birth-mothers

Posted By: Staff Writer 0 Comments

With families across the nation experiencing recession-related financial pressures, adoption agencies have noticed an increase in the number of women who are choosing to place their babies for adoption. According to a May 19 article by USA Today writer Wendy Koch, the increase in women who are opting for adoption includes those who already have children:

Many of these women are in their 20s and already have at least one child, says Joan Jaeger of The Cradle, [an adoption agency in the Chicago area] ... She says 30 percent more women are inquiring about placing a child for adoption than a year ago.

"The economy has made them take a second look at adoption," says Scott Mars of American Adoptions, a private agency in Overland Park, Kan. In the past year, he's seen a 10 percent to 12 percent increase in women inquiring about placing a child for adoption and a 7 percent to 10 percent increase in actual placements, as strong demand for healthy infants continues to outstrip the supply. ...

"Our phones are ringing off the hook," says Vicki Saporta of the National Abortion Federation, which represents abortion providers. She says calls to her group's hotline have nearly tripled in the past year, many from women whose families have lost jobs.

The majority of women who place their children for adoption in the United States stay in touch with the child's new family, Koch reported. "In up to 90% of domestic infant adoptions," she wrote, "... adoptive parents maintain some contact with birth parents."

Labels: economy, birth-mothers, birth_parents, pressures

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

For women whose children have been adopted by others, Mother's Day can be a particularly poignant experience. But since 1993, the birth mothers of adopted children have had the opportunity to address their feelings and be honored for their sacrifices during an event known as "Birthmother's Day."

A May 10 article by Cleveland Plain Dealer writer Laura Johnston described the motivations behind these celebrations:

About 125,000 children are adopted each year in the United States, about 40 percent through public-welfare agencies, research shows. In the vast majority of adoptions today, the birth mother has some contact with the adoptive parents. For most of the 20th century, though, adoptions were anonymous. ...

"They brought a child into this world who they're not parenting," said Betsie Norris, executive director of Adoption Network Cleveland. "It's not something they've forgotten about. But that type of motherhood isn't acknowledged on Mother's Day. For birth mothers, it's very bittersweet."

"Although the rest of the world doesn't know, you know what the anniversary means to you and how important it is," one mother, a 31-year-old graduating from medical school, told the Plain Dealer. "To have everybody there to respect you as a mother, whether or not you're raising a child, it's incredibly powerful."

As is the case with many birth mothers, many adopted teens are also struggling with unresolved conflicts related to separation. Some therapists specialize in helping adopted teens with separation-related conflicts, as does Mount Bachelor Academy, a private therapeutic boarding school in central Oregon.

Labels: adoptive parents, adopted children, birth-mothers, separation

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

Grant and Susan Grebner enjoy watching Collin and Jac play with their mom, Amanda Holland. Grant and Susan adopted the boys years ago, from Amanda, who is their biological mom. When asked about Holland, Collin answers "she's my birth mother."

"There was a time when Holland was not supposed to know the Grebners, and Collin was not supposed to know his birth mother. In fact, his birth certificate would not have mentioned Holland's name... The trend toward open adoptions is spreading... All of the major national adoption agencies, except the National Council for Adoption, endorse some level of contact between birth parents, adoptive parents and the child."

The relationship between birth and adoptive families ranges from occasional exchanges of cards and pictures to extended visits and even trips together. So far, the Grebners and Holland say their relationship is working out well and that the kids are better off for having more than one set of parents. Source: Peoria (IL) Journal Star

Labels: open_adoption, birth-mothers

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments