As I talked about earlier in the week, there are many birth parents who haven't told various members of their family about the existence of their placed child. The pregnancy and subsequent relinquishment were kept secret for any number of reasons. And so, how does one go about enlightening family members and what are the consequences of that revelation?

Obviously, situations and experiences will vary. Personally, I didn't have to tell anyone in my family. Instead, after... more

An unplanned pregnancy that involves an adoption plan is a stressful thing. And the sad reality is that many parents are facing that stress on their own. Even today. In a recent thread on the forums, some birth mothers discussed whether or not they told their families about the pregnancy and subsequent relinquishment of their child.

I can imagine few things that are worse than having absolutely no support during a pregnancy. Even the healthiest... more

At the time of reunion, most birth grandparents embrace the relinquished grandchild back into the fold of the family. Some birth grandparents may grieve the loss of their grandchild very deeply. They may be jubilant that their child is given an opportunity to finally know their son or daughter. They may also enjoy getting the chance to finally know their grandchild. Other birth grandparents are rigid and unwavering and have no interest in their relinquished grandchildren. This seems to be the exception. These birth grandparents... more

Women placing their babies for adoption sometimes have tunnel vision, and their advisors may as well. Separating a baby from its mother affects more than just those two people, and the affects are more long-lasting. Few birth/first mothers I know thought much about the wide affects within a family that an adoption would cause. I know that I certainly did not.

Babies and children placed for adoption lose not only their first parents, but grandparents, cousins and siblings, etc. Many birth grandparents may not feel the loss of their... more