Carman and Susan continue their story an adoption plan is made . Carman shared of her unique and sometimes funny journey. Carmen “ Knew” what she wanted for herself and her child. She talked about the “ Fear” from both the birth mother perspective and adoptive mother perspective . Susan talked about being at the birth of Olivia , Carmen’s daughter . Susan has penned her memoir titles “ One Yes at A Time : How Open Adoption Transformed Our Family “.Birth/First Mothers look forward to meeting their child they have carried for nine months . Carmen and Susan had parallel lives intersecting to form ..read more

Carmen and Susan share their journey of life . In typical adoption stories, the birth/first mom and adoption mom may never have a conversation, yet Carmen and Susan had “ Real Talk” and conversations about “ their daughter. These two mothers grew up in different situations and yet started the journey to “grow and learn from each other “. Carmen was an independent college student providing for herself on the west coast . Susan had a Midwest life and journeying through school, work, and marriage . Their story begins when their parallel lives crossed. They both came to ‘an adoption plan ‘ from tw ..read more

Abby is a transracial adoptee as a black adoptee adopted in 1971 by white parents. Her family was interested in adopting another Black child but that did not work out. Her family were told by adoption agencies that a Black child would be the“Cheapest and Quickest “. Abby started searching earnestly for her “truth” with her mother’s dementia,diagnosis. Abby is also a Birth/First Mother and psychotherapist serving clients in the adoption constellation. Abby spoke about the “ Real Truth” in Adoption dispels the Blank Slate ,Nurture over Nature that she heard in her family . She speaks about her ..read more

Abby is a transracial adoptee as a black adoptee adopted in 1971 by white parents. Her family was interested in adopting another Black child but that did not work out. Her family were told by adoption agencies that a Black child would be the “Cheapest and Quickest “. Abby started searching earnestly for her “truth” with her mother’s dementia diagnosis. Abby is also a Birth/First Mother and psychotherapist serving clients in the adoption constellation. Abby spoke about the “ Real Truth” in Adoption dispels the Blank Slate , Nurture over Nature that she heard in her family . She speaks about her ..read more

Shelley was very engaging as she talked about explored “it” with her “bestie” male friend. After three months, as a first-year student in college, she was overwhelmed to learn that she was pregnant. Her initial feelings were numbness, shock, and fear upon this life-changing news. We spoke about where she was, who she told first and all the specific details that birth/first moms experience as specific as time of day, what we are wearing, and the words remembered our entire life. Life stands still for a moment when moms receive this news. Shelley received “immediate support “from all in her life ..read more

Sydney says she was a relative “ normal” kid whose family expected her to behave at a certain standard because of her “ family influence” in her town . Early in Sydney’s life, trauma and grief entered her life with the tragic loss of her mother. . She then became the “ mother figure” to her younger siblings. Sydney became a mother without family support as other first/birth mothers experienced. The “family decision “ of adoption was the next step. Conversations or discussions about this ‘life-changing” decision were not an option for Sydney . Sydney’s journey in placement of her son was challe ..read more

Jeanne talked about her life growing up in Canada happily entertaining herself with her dolls. She talked about her anxiousness through her life facing fear and doubting herself. Secrets and fearing sharing the truth were sometimes overwhelming. Jeanne has broken through her fear to share her story for the first time. DNA and Search Angels played a major role in Jeanne’s journey. As all of us in the Adoption community know, “Reunions are Roller Coasters ..read more

"Karen faced her 'own' birth secrets that she strived to 'untangle'. This gave Karen a unique experience as an adoptee confronted with finding her original birth certificate (OBC). Karen was passionate about the 'Real Talk' of adoption laws from state to state. She shared her story with passion, peace, and purpose. Karen had a straightforward attitude about societal pressures placed on birth/first moms in the United States. The essence of her story is that childhood experiences profoundly impact one's entire life ..read more

Denise’s journey started with her own adoption and her first glimpse into trauma. She grew up in the Mennonite community in Pennsylvania . Denise and Yvonne had some common memories to share . Secrets were prevalent in the family. Denise talked about her experience as a Mennonite and the expectations and acceptance from her parents. She spoke about looking for love and her identity. Becoming a mom at an early age was traumatic and caused her to leap into independence. Denise’s journey was full of surprise connections. She talked about her heart’s desire ..read more

Patience experienced as many, a childhood of challenges. Her family was separated in dramatic fashion. At the age of 16, patience learned of a maternity home through her mother’s church affiliation. Her journey to motherhood involved traveling to the home for birth mothers with strangers. Her experience , as she said was in many ways better than her home. Patience felt lost, still in love, and knew the trauma of her childhood that she strived to overcome ..read more