Tomorrow I am supposed to be the librarian at my daughter’s school, it’s about the only thing that I really “do” anymore around other mommy-parent type people. I just never seem to “click” (and I do mean click baby) with any other mom types out there, so in effect I have just given up.

Honestly I am not quite sure why I get the long strange looks as the other moms take a few steps back from my approach. Why is it a big blank stare and no reply to my endless chirping of “Where did you find that?” Or “ How does your daughter/son respond to this?”... more

We read a lot about adoptive moms and birthmoms and the differences amongst the two types of mothers. While there are differences, I see a lot of similarities too.

As with any diverse group of women nowadays, we will have differences, but we have many similarities as well. We both know pain. Although the pain is caused by different reasons, at different times, and because of different circumstances, we do know pain. We both cry for the children we do not have. Again, at different times and for different circumstances, but adoptive mothers cry for the children... more

Out scouting around for interesting topics I came across this interesting PDF written by Karen Lundbland, LCSW concerning mediation in open adoption arrangements.

Lundbland has been in private practice as a full time mediator since 1998 in Eugene, at both the University of Oregon and Portland State University. While I personally cannot vouch for her services, I was very intrigued by the aforementioned article she wrote... more

In honor of the coming holiday (and in light of recent negative studies and related grumblin) I wanted to comment on some positive, loving things that can come out of the open adoption experience.

People always have things to say about the difficulties that adoption brings with it. It can become way to easy to get bogged down and forget what we who are involved in an open adoption are working so to hard to make happen.

It’s about the kids, loving them and respecting each other.

If... more

Part One Part Two Part Three

In parts One through Three I talked about my own families search for the type of adoption related support that we needed. This was an interesting voyage because there are so many options out there. Unfortunately many were either to far... more

On Saturday I had the pleasure of being a “special guest” at the Charlotte PAGE (Post Adoption Group Encouragement get together. This is a support group of birthmothers and they have several get togethers throughout the year.

They had a pretty good turn out of about 15 birthmothers. I talked a little bit about BirthMom Buds, mingled and got to know many birthmothers, led a craft session where the gals made a picture frame to hold a special picture of their baby, and had a group discussion where we shared... more

Part One Part Two

With the addition internet services to our home, a world of other adoption support group options opened up for our family. A ton of great sites exist out there representing people who have experienced all forms of adoption. At first there were many message boards, forums, live chat rooms, and countless websites available, and then blogs became... more

In part one I talked about our original adoption support group, a large international focused one. Although we enjoyed the support and learned much from them, we later became square pegs trying to fit a round hole there. The surprise opportunity to adopt a newborn, independently and rather quickly seemed to distance us from some of our support group members, and well it became not so “supportive” for our family anymore.

I had often wondered if all those who adopt... more

Like many other challenging things in life, people who are adopting a child often seek a support group at some point during the process. Groups are great because they can bring you together with other like minded people to share stories, experiences and the pains and joys involved. Support groups can come in many forms, the most common being online or internet originated, and in person or physical meetings.

When we first looking into the adoption process, we were considering an international placement and had signed on with a rather large... more

Well the end of my first month as a blogger here is very quickly approaching!

I am starting to enjoy this blog thing! I still have a lot of interesting stories I would like to share with you. I know I am however a work yet in progress, still trying to find my “voice.” I am hopeful that this blog can continue to grow along with me as I have new experiences and find ways to process them and to share that learning with all of you.

I would be amiss though if I did not say that I am also beginning to wonder...

IS ANYONE... more