Adoption is anything but sunshine and lollipops, which I do understand as an adoptee and an adoptive parent. The truth is that adoption reform is needed. I totally understand this and am not against it. Changes in adoption law are needed and I support it when it is a benefit to adoption.

Knowledge is what people need concerning adoption reform. I am not trying to persuade anyone one way or the other. We as people need to decide to get involved with reform or a movement. We need to go in with their eyes wide open. We need to know the truth about things so we can make informed choices. Remember this is how I view things. I have received many e-mail and comments questioning my agenda.

There seems to be great confusion in where I personally stand on adoption or “my agenda”, what I support and believe.

I support the rights of adoptees and children waiting to be adopted. Without adoption there would no adoptees, so yes I support adoption. I do not believe adoption is right for every situation. The right of a parent to decide to place their child up for adoption should also be protected.

Adoption is a valuable part of this world. Adoption is not perfect nor will it probably ever be perfect, but we can improve it without doing away with it.

I am not pro-adoption choice of only adopting babies. I am a foster parent and have adopted three of my children from the foster care system. I support adoption as a whole. I do wish more people would look to adopt from the foster care system.

Family preservation and a movement for family preservation are two different things. The family preservation movement in my opinion is that is some cases the rights of the parents are put before the child’s. With some adoptions is not a viable option.

Family preservation itself, I support when it is in the best interest of the child. I am not against family preservation but I am against the movement of family preservation when adoption is ruled out. I have been part of this in foster care so it is something I personally have been involved with.

Agendas are a problem when people lie, hide or try to side step what their overall purpose is. There should be major concerns when someone or a group hides their true agendas. We are not being responsible if we do not research or “even care” about the true agendas for things we become involved in.

I will continue sharing information that could pose a threat to adoption and the people involved. I am not trying to persuade a mother to give up her child, nor people involved with adoption to think one particular way. We all have our own journey in adoption and we choose what course to take.

If only life and adoption could be sunshine and lollipops.

More to read on the issues:

Another Adoptive Parent Contribution

Adoption is Under Attack