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Each member of the adoption triad (adoptee, birth mother, or adoptive parent) will have their own answer to this question. Each individual will also have their own perspective, given the trajectory of their lives and the multiple variables of the people they came in contact with as well as their past and…
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There are many voices out there, whether other adoptees, previous birth mothers, adoptive parents, or the general public. They all have their story regarding adoption and its impact on their life. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and trying to research more about adoption, you may be feeling confused and frightened by…
Continue ReadingGrief and Loss as a Waiting Family Grief and loss may be commonly associated with losing a parent, baby, or friend. In the context of adoption, grief and loss may be connected (and rightly so) with the birth mother’s grieving after placing their child for adoption. Another area of grief and loss in…
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The first thing that I want to address is “the fit” when choosing the adoption agency that you plan to work with. Our belief at Hopeful Beginnings is to do your due diligence in researching the different agencies out there. You will get an immediate feel by how they address certain issues such…
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With the recent news of an infant being found in a Chicago alley, we felt it important to continue to spread awareness on the life saving Safe Haven Law. It is clear that the likely terrified and desperate biological parents of that infant had no idea what to do. If only they knew…
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Being a great Dad means caring, compassionate love every day, noticing your children and what they like, and being inquisitive about the different things that are meaningful to them. They adore your attention and know when you are truly with them, not only physically, but rather when you are completely “in the moment…
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You took a baby home from the hospital and then thought about adoption because circumstances have occurred that make it just about impossible or unsafe for your baby? Illinois has a plan in place for children less than 30 days old to be placed into a policeman’s, fireman’s, or hospital’s arms called The…
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Birth Mother’s Day this year is May 8th. Many people are not aware of this day. Adoptive families may be aware, but uncertain of how to observe it. Birth Mother’s Day was created in 1990 by a group of birth mothers (Silber, 2019), but what does observance of this day mean to the…
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Melanie’s Story (Name has been changed) Melanie discovered she was pregnant late into her 3rd trimester. After discussing her options with her parents, she made the brave decision to consider adoption for her unborn child. Melanie had goals she still wanted to accomplish in life and did not feel she was ready to…
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I’m pregnant…but I’m not the kind of person I thought would ever be a birth mom – Who really is a Birth Mom? By: Olivia Espinosa The word “adoption” may be coming into a more favorable light, but the label of “birth mother” can still be looked upon with judgment and stigma. Hollywood…
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