[ddhuab]

I want to be able to show a photo of our baby's first mother to her throughout her life, and even have it ready for her to display in her room, if she wishes.

I am sure what I am about to say will be controversial, but if I were in the same situation, I might consider scanning it and "touching up" the photo to share with her and that she may wish to share with her friends as she grows up (I am sure she would not want to continually answer questions about the bruises). I scrapbook and touch up photos all the time, so this would not seem that "unusual." I would be sure to mention we got a bad copy and we made some lighting changes (and that would be part of her adoption story), and when she was older I would tell her all I know. That way she would still get to see where she might get her jawline, shape of her mought, etc.

I think children should know the truth of their origins, but some things are so painful I wouldn't want to "burden" them with the truth before they were ready to understand it or accept it.

I think every situation is different, so I am sure you will make the best choice for your situation.

D.