[amom4life]

[i [/i]
1.) How are you connected to adoption?

-- I'm an adoptive mom

2.) Do you do anything special to celebrate national adoption month (Nov.)?

-- No, but in the future I would like to help out in some way to get people more aware of adoption and dispell the myths.

3.) When growing up, did you know anyone connected to adoption?

Yes, when I was eighteen I had a boyfriend who was adopted and so was his brother.

4.) If you can remember, when did you first learn about adoption as a child?

I can't remember exactly when. I just remember asking my mom to adopt my best friend when I was a freshman because her parents were alcoholics. When they couldn't handle them they would put them in foster care, but when they were desperate for money they would get them back so they could collect welfare.

5.) In high school, did you know anyone who had a baby and placed?

-- Unfortunately I only knew of girls who got abortions.


4.) Anyone in your family, other than you, connected to adoption?

-- I have a cousin who has adopted, but I have more friends who have than family.

5.) When adopting or placing your child, did anyone say rude/ignorant comments? What were they?

-- I had a couple of people share their concern that an adopted child would bring to ruin our marriage and kaos to our home! Of course these great words of ignorance came from people who aren't educated nor had any experience with adoption.

6.) If you had to do things all over again with either placing your child or adopting, what things - small or large - would you do differently?

-- Well, I didn't place my child, but I wish I would have for his sake. I was fifteen and didn't have anyone to give me any good counsel.

I've been watching the fifteen old girl on Dr. Phil and I can understand her(young, uneducated) logic about keeping her child, but I hope she isn't as firm as she seems to be about keeping her baby. I do hope she looks into adoption a bit further before she decides.

7.) Name a blessing (besides the child him/herself) that has come from adopting or placing?

-- Being an encouragement to others.

8.) How has your views changed on adoption since placing or adopting your child?

-- I have always thought of adoption as a normal, beautiful way to build a family. Having one closed international adoption I was really scared this time of considering an open adoption. Then our facilitators who are big advocates of open adoption educated us and answered our concerns and now I'm seeing this relationship in more positive terms than I did before.

9.) Do you have a closed, semi-open, or fully open adoption?

-- Closed, but our next one will be semi open-open depending on everone involved.

10.) If you have an open adoption, what has been the toughest thing about it?

11.) If you have an open adoption, what has been the best thing about it?

12.)
13.) Name your biggest pet peeve in the adoption world?

-- I think it would have to be all the red tape that holds up a child being placed in their forever home and the cost. I'm all for getting some laws changed!

14.) If you are a birthmom, would you ever consider adopting a child? Why or why not?

15.) Are you satisfied with the adoption agency you placed/adopted through? Why or why not?

We were not at all happy with our first agency! We have been happy with our facilitator this time out so far.

16.) Do you currently attend a support group or receive any counselling through an agency?

-- No.

17.) Name a disappointment you've felt after placing/adopting:

disappointment and frustration that our first agency (international) took our money then dropped the ball after two years.

18.) Name a misconception people (family,strangers) have about you being an adoptive mom or birthmom or adoptee:

Our families are supportive.

I think one big misconception that I get from some friends and strangers is that adopted children are so different from bio children. I find this thinking so strange!

19.) What books, magazines, websites, articles, links, etc ...have you found most helpful after placing/adopting?

This forum, Let's Talk Adoption Radio Program, Adoptive Family Mag.

20.) Write anything you wish here: Good thread Skye!