5 Things to Remember When Talking to a Birth Mother Talking with the birth mother of your potential child is a nerve-wracking experience for all parties involved. Adoptive families often wait patiently for the possibility of a match with a prospective birth mother, and the first conversation can be especially terrifying. Is there a possibility that the connection won’t be…
Why Do Parents Place Their Child for Adoption? Many myths exist in the adoption world regarding why a birth mother would make the decision to place her child in an adoptive home. Stigma can surround a woman who is attempting to give her child the very best possible future, but it doesn’t need to be that way. These women (and…
Adoption Through The Years It’s no wonder that most people have been touched by adoption in some way. Maybe you’re an adoptee, adoptive parent or birth parent. Or, you know someone who is. At the very least, you probably have a friend, co-worker or acquaintance who is apart of the adoption triad. Adoption isn’t a new concept in our society.…
How I Was Adopted by Joanna Cole and illustrations by Maxie Chambliss. This book starts with information for adoptive parents on talking with their child about adoption. This section of the book is informative and may give adoptive parents the confidence needed to answer adoption related questions their child might have. Not all adoptive parents know exactly where to start as their children…
Open Adoption Early in the adoption process, both birth and adoptive parents need to ask themselves: What level of openness do I want for my adoption? This can be a difficult answer to come to since it involves factors that are still unknown. You know little about the relationship you’re agreeing to. You don’t yet know the names, faces, challenges…
An adoptive parent’s guide to the hospital experience As adoptive parents, there are many milestones in the adoption process. You spend a notable amount of energy and coping skills as you navigate each step and overcome the challenges that may have already come your way. To think, this is before actual parenting begins! Finally, you’re matched and your birth mother’s…
A Gift for Little Tree by Colleen D.C. Maequez and illustrations by Masako Dunn. This book is written as a parable. At first glance, one might think this is a book about an apple orchard. But a second read shows a beautiful adoption metaphor woven throughout. This story opens up introducing readers to a farmer, who lovingly cares for the…
Language is a beautiful thing and can cause us to have tears of joy or to bring us to our knees to weep. It is so powerful at times that we don’t even realize that the words we are using will have such an impact on the person we are speaking to. Most of the time we are overly aware…
Gift of Life Adoptions has been working with birth moms for over 25 years. We understand that every adoption is special and unique and no matter how you look at, adoption is a blessing. Adoption is something to be proud of and is an unselfish act of love. Only you can decide if you are in a position to be…
When faced with an unplanned pregnancy there are a number of thoughts that will run through your head. How will I financially care for my baby? Am I ready to be a parent? Are there things I want to accomplish before I have a baby? These questions are the tip of the iceberg, but what reflections should you have if…