When I first began my adoption journey, I didn’t realize that there are times that parenting adoptive children is different than it was for my biological child. I thought that parenting was parenting, an equal...
When my husband and I first began the process to adopt, we were overwhelmed by the options. Should we choose domestic, foster care, or international adoption? Should we pursue an independent adoption or work...
Moms. They’re the ones who kiss our bruises when we fall down. They’re the ones who comfort us when we’re upset. They’re the ones who encourage us when we’re feeling low and the...
I remember the moment I sat down with my husband after we had finally decided to move forward with our plans to adopt. Our minds were flooded with questions. We didn’t even know where to begin. That day was...
If you are a hopeful adoptive family, dutifully filling out forms and completing home studies, you are probably thinking, and often, “I can’t wait until I adopt my baby!” Or a toddler or an older child. You...
“‘Adopt,’ they said. ‘It’ll be fun,’ they said!” I clasped my head in my hands as my body shook with crazed angry laughter. “What they didn’t say was, ‘Oh, by the way, that sweet little child might rage out...
The idea of having anxiety relating to adoption is a concept that I largely avoided until about two years ago. I remember the precise moment when I realized that I was processing a situation the way that I was because...
Adoption is a Lifelong Journey Adoption is love is a phrase you may have seen or read before on memes, inspirational quotes, and poems. Spreading adoption love is an important message to be shared within adoptive...
My Indian daughter is being raised by a Filipina mother and Italian/Irish father and we still have to be purposeful when thinking about diversity and multiculturism in our home. It doesn’t always come naturally, but it...
Therapy. This word may bring up many emotions. I know because this word brings so much up for me and my family. See, I earn my living as a clinician, my family is engaged in therapy due to trauma, and I have struggled...
What is the Nature Versus Nurture Conversation? Families who are all biologically related talk about it. Families who are blended talk about it. Scientists and psychologists run analyses on the topic with nearly...
Talking about adoption with members of the adoption triad (child, birth parents, adoptive parents) shows the different experiences and aspects of adoption. You can learn something from all of their stories. They come...
The Fourth of July. Independence Day. A day associated with hot dogs and barbeques, block parties, fireworks, and sparklers. However, as the name “Independence Day” implies, this holiday celebrates the freedoms we have...
There is a saying that life imitates art. In this case, maybe the art is reminiscent of a television show. This is a real-life story but it has all the elements of something you would see on your television...
As someone who loves to both read and write poetry, I was thrilled to write an article about adoption poetry. What better way to creatively express feelings of adoption than to turn those feelings into beautiful words...
Note: This article focuses on the United States specifically, but the Baby Scoop Era also affected Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom around the same time period. 1939 to 1972. In just 33...
Dear Birth Mother, I don’t know if I have ever imagined writing a letter to a birth mother. I have so much I want to tell you about the daughter you carried in your womb and will always carry in your heart. I have never...
The papers were signed. Agreements were agreed to. And now, 10 years later, things aren’t working out. You’re still 100% all-in, your kiddo is absolutely attached to you and your partner, and things in the home are...
One year I had a student that was a late addition to my preschool classroom in Washington DC. The student came into my classroom and that day I learned that he was new to the country. On a normal day while lining up for...
One of the members of the adoption triad that is least discussed is the birth father. The birth mother gets most of the attention, rightfully so. Birth fathers are often thought of as little more than a sperm donor, and...
Within the adoptive triad, there is so much discussion about the important relationship between the birth mother, adoptee(s), and adoptive family. It seems as though much of the focus is on the birth mother, but birth...
A father is an important part of a child’s life. Studies have shown that children who have affection and support from their fathers have great cognitive and social development. When my husband, Ryan, and I were facing...
Learn all about Juneteenth and what this day means for the adoption community. June 19th celebrates the official day that slavery ended in the United States. This day is called Juneteenth, and it is also known as...
Are you considering international or foreign adoption? If so, you probably thought of adopting from China or Russia, but have you ever considered adoption from Africa? Maybe you have already considered adopting from...
When I hear the word superheroes, I think of comic books, cartoons, and movie characters like Superman, Batman, Wonderwoman, and Spider-Man. My oldest son started his love of superheroes at a young age. His favorite...
Cue the lights, pop the popcorn, and settle down in the best seat in the house to enjoy 90 plus minutes of escape to another realm. The entertainment industry is not only worth hundreds of billions of dollars, but it...
“There are those who viewed my decision to be a birth mother as selfish, but in fact, this journey has been the true definition of selflessness. No longer do I walk this path in shame or embarrassment. For being a...
March 2020 changed everything for everyone around the world. At first, we heard news here and there—shaky headlines about a vicious virus that was steadily sweeping its way across the world. Then the questions...
Our son, now home for almost 5 years, was born in a small Eastern European country called Bulgaria. At the beginning of our process, when our social worker presented Bulgaria as a possible country that met a lot of our...
Whether we like it or not, we all experience growth along our journeys. Growth can come in many forms and at many different points in our lives. In the adoption community, all members of the adoption triad experience...
Adoption is often looked upon as a barrier to happiness, success, and fulfillment, but in fact, many well-known historical figures have been touched by adoption. Despite the stereotypes and myths, these people have gone...
If you haven’t listened to Birth Mothers Amplified yet, here’s how they describe themselves (because they can explain this far better than I can): “Birth Mothers Amplified is a podcast that is co-hosted by Muthoni and...
Macy’s Story Episode 16 of Birth Mothers Amplified features Macy. Macy is a birth mother who placed her baby for adoption nine years ago. She has both bachelor’s and master’s degrees and is now a Speech Therapist...
When I knew that I was ready to take the first steps in my adoption journey, I could feel the previous chapter of my life close and a brand new one begin. And even though I was confident in my decision, it’s still a big...
The movie “Thirteen Going on Thirty” goes something like this: a thirteen-year-old girl makes a wish to be thirty and finds herself struggling with the outcome when it becomes a reality. As an adult, she is having a...
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