Openness Through Adoptees’ Eyes
I cannot explain how much “Adoptees on Open Adoption: ‘I Have All My Pieces’” helped me. I placed my daughter for adoption a little over a month ago and a lot of things have been going through my mind. Will she want to talk to me, will she understand, is this really best for her? The kids in this article gave me so much insight as to how she’ll be growing up—and it’s just what I wanted: Loved, cherished, and exactly where she’s meant to be.
An Adoptive Families reader • comment posted online
I often question our choice to have such an open adoption, especially when others question our choice. But in the end, I pray our daughter will say the same things as the adoptees in this article because it will make all of this worth it.
Maja Turenne Glidden • via Facebook
Journeys of Identity
“Going ‘Home’ to China, Again,” two adoptees’ accounts of visiting their birth country, was a wonderful and emotional story of adoption and identity many years down the road. Important reading.
Kathryn E. Kujawa • via Facebook
Asking Friends to Stand with Us Against Racism
“To the White Parents of My Black Son’s Friends” captures exactly how I feel. The day I had to explain to my son that some people will never treat him the same way they treat his white brother was painful. We need to advocate for our children and for others.
Katie Fuller • via Facebook
May I please shout out as a huge thank you to Maralee Bradley for this eloquently written article! I have also struggled around this fine line of awareness and the complexities that go along with it. I’m totally sharing this one.
Corrie Hutchinson-Hix • via Facebook
Seeing Past the Diagnosis
“Bringing Him Home,” about adopting a child with unexpected delays, was emotional and very truthful. Adoption is a beautiful moment when a family opens its heart to another member, regardless of the “problems” the child may have.
Brandi • via Facebook
I raised nine developmentally challenged children, adopted as babies and toddlers. They are now all functioning well in their twenties. Keep holding and talking to them and fight for education.
Laurie Elliott • via Facebook
A Must-Read for Family and Friends
I loved “Here’s How You Can Support Us.” It’s nearly perfect in explaining what we need and don’t need from others as adoptive parents. Thank you for writing this, Ashlee Andrews.
gspeterson1 • comment posted online
This is essential reading for relatives and friends of adoptive families. Know what kind of interaction is appropriate, don’t just wing it!
YANA, You Are Not Alone • via Facebook
Keeping Birth Grandparents Involved
As a birth grandmother, “An Open Letter to Gramma B.” made me cry. Not only did my birth grandson get an awesome family, I got another family and three more granddaughters. I cannot imagine it any other way. Thank you to his parents.
Terri Burgess • via Facebook
I adopted four children from three different birth families, and they all have birth grandparents who have remained very close and involved. Super supportive for us and great for the kids!
Donna Pavlik • via Facebook
RE: “The Funniest Thing My Child Said About Adoption Was ____”
I’ve kept a record of all the funny stuff my kids have said and the dates they said it in their scrapbooks. Here’s one: My daughter, adopted from foster care at 12 months old, mentioned “Jessica” one day. We know a lot of Jessicas so I asked who she was talking about. She said, “Jessica, you know, my old owner.”
Amanda Pena Joyce • via Facebook
I once told my daughter that babies eat whatever the mom eats when they are in her belly. She looked at me, puzzled, and asked, “There’s a table in there?!”
Mayra M-Rod • via Facebook
Getting Through the Adoption Process
“The Hardest Part of the Adoption Process” for me was actually finding out that I could never carry a child. Once we decided that adoption was our path, everything just fell into place. We were meant to be with our son. I wouldn’t change any of my heartache for the world.
Laura Ybarra-Miller • via Facebook
Nothing about the process was easy, but it was all worth it.
Rocky Belcher • via Facebook