First initial: M
Was the adoption of your placed child open or closed? semi-open
How many years separate your placed child from the first child you parented?4
How was your pregnancy with your first parented child on an emotional level? Were there things that you experienced emotionally that you did not know to expect or caught you off guard? No, both were very similar, although i was glad I was more prepared to be a parent
How was your delivery with your first parented child? How did your hospital experience differ from the delivery and stay with your placed child? All 3 were c-sections, although placed child was an emergency one. Hospital experience I didn't really bond with my placed child(my choice---didn't want to get attached). Got to feed and change all 3 children about the same
During the first few weeks at home, did you find yourself thinking about your placed child? When? Why? How did you deal with those feelings? yes, I still think about him all the time. Even now(11 years later) I wonder if he is anything like my parented children
Did you find yourself either amazed at your parenting abilities or doubting yourself entirely due to the placement of your first child? Why? How did you deal with these thoughts and feelings?
No
Did your success as a parent bring up any new emotions that you hadn't experienced prior to the birth of your first parented child? Did you feel angry with yourself or others involved in your adoption?
Questioned why i didn't try to parent my placed child
Did the feelings further solidify the decision that placement was the right option for your situation?
No, made me regret it even more
As your child grew, did your parented child's new milestones and life experiences bring up emotions? How did you deal with them? yes, made me wish I had seen my placed childs milestones
Did you/Do you have someone to discuss these kinds of topics with? During your pregnancy? As you continue to parent? If not, what do you do with these emotions?
No , repress them, talk about them in chat sometimes
What, if any, advice do you have for birthmothers looking to add to their family?
Go for it if/when you feel you are ready
Feel free to add anything you wish here:[/b][/quote]
|