At times it seems like adoption is all doom and gloom for a whole number of reasons. You will have gloom in adoption just as everything else in this life. But gloom does not fill adoption as some would like others to believe. There are plenty of adoptees that have lived a happy and fulfilled life even with being adopted.

While there are a few adoptees that are scarred, wounded through adoption, this is not the case for most adoptees. Granted it is easy to wonder what kind of impact adoption will have on an adoptee when there seems to be so much negativity concerning... more

Adoption can mean so many things to different people. It also brings a lot of different emotions out in people. It is very personal to me because it is the foundation of my being. While it does not define who I am, it is a part of me. Adoption to me is life. It was the greatest gift that I have ever received. My birth mother gave me the opportunity of a future she could not provide for me at that point in her life.

I was blessed to be adopted with my sister and grow up together. Adoption provided me a normal childhood with all the experiences to go along with it too.... more

Who's Adoption Story is it to Tell?

I was talking to my sister who is also adopted about her feelings concerning others sharing her adoption journey and information. I was quite surprised when she told me that she was a little shocked that I have been so open, honest and shared so many details about my adoption journey and that of my children.

When I took this writing “gig”, I wanted to be as open as I could about being an adoptee and the challenges, issues and heartache that... more

Boundaries in adoption can sometimes be very hazy. What part of the adoption information and details belongs to whom? It is common for adoptees to go through times that they do not want to share their adoption journey and some adoptees do not feel comfortable sharing it at all.

I remember when I was in my late teens (18 or 19ish) we were at church function, a person that was visiting came up out the clear blue sky and asked about me being adopted. I was surprised to say the least and quickly learned that my mother had told her. I was thrown for a loop for a couple of... more

Something I continue to hear that is a major problem in adoption is money surrounding adoption and the cost of it. Which I do agree that there needs to be a cap of cost of the things surrounding adoption but when I hear statements like; “Money has to be removed from adoption to remove the corruption. That adoption is a business of profit, etc.” this is part of the problem. I do agree with these statements to a point but you also have to look at the realistic picture of the situation for everyone involved (yes, even the businesses).

The truth is that money will always be involved... more

Can Adoption Reform Happen with Everyone on Different Sides?

The truth is that reform will not happen in adoption until the people involved in adoption put their insecurities, pain, and other issues with adoption and the others aside. This is the way to get to a common goal of reform in adoption. We cannot expect the public to take our desires to see adoption reform seriously when it seems like we are all caught up in ourselves, point fingers at each other, etc.

While... more

There is always ongoing talk of the much needed adoption reform which I do agree that there needs to be some changes. But how can reform begin when people involved in adoption cannot even work together. To see the big overall pictures seems impossible at times for a lot people involved in adoption.

When I started here I learned that there were sides, a line in the sand that divided the adoption community. I was quickly placed on the side of the adoptive parents I guess because I could understand most of their issues. I now realize that what divides people involved with adoption is much bigger than a line in the sand more like huge ravine that seems to grow wider and deeper every... more

This month has gone by so fast heck…even this year has flown by. Oh, what a year it has been for me. I was given this great opportunity to blog here as an adoptee and I have enjoyed my time. I have met some great people and learned so much from bloggers and readers. The time has come for me to begin another path in my adoption journey of life. This will be my last month sharing my experiences, thoughts, feelings and information as being an adoptee.

A lot of you have been supportive through some very different times in my life or when facing some unpleasant issues that I am... more

I have not had much experience or knowledge of open adoption before I had started writing here. In my mind open adoption was when adoptive parents and birth families had full contact. In time I have learned that there are drastic degrees of openness. Knowing any information and keeping a connection for the adoptee through open adoption can be a benefit to adoptee. This I totally understand and can see the need for the openness.

There will come a time when the adoptee starts to ask questions about the... more

Being involved with adoptionblogs.com blogging has been a tremendous learning experience for me. I have been enlightened with other people’s adoption journeys, struggles, beliefs, and everything that comes with adoption. Who would have guessed I would have learned some much by sharing my thoughts, experiences and insight.

Looking within my self and addressing my adoption journey and the issues I have faced along the way has been a great benefit to me. When you’re adopted, it is just that, you do not always stop and think about... more