Concerns for Younger Birth Mothers

When I come across younger birth mothers raising children who are working their buns off to help create better choices for pregnant woman and improve current adoption practices, I have two opposite views.

First, I am thrilled that these energetic young mothers are grabbing the torch and trying to help make some important changes. I think we need all mothers young and old to unite and work towards important reforms.

However, I also worry about their divided loyalties, especially if they are raising other children. It has to be such a struggle to juggle raising a family and working on the myriad of adoption reform issues. We need these young moms in the movement, yet, I hate taking them away from their families so much.

There is much to admire in these first/birth/natural mothers who are raising young families and simultaneously trying to help improve adoption practices. I know that they feel the fervor that I do to make some important changes and help prevent unnecessary adoptions and improve other adoption practices. Yet, I hope that they thoroughly enjoy and savor raising the children they do have.

Although I know that they do enjoy their families, I still cannot help but have concerns about them. I hope they know to balance their time and not let adoption mania rule their lives. Plus, I hope they know that us older birth moms are grateful for their much needed efforts.

Lastly, I hope that these amazing young first moms realize that we know and understand that sometimes they need to step back, breathe and rest once in awhile. They need to cherish their families and put adoption on the back shelf sometimes. That’s okay, I hope they know that.

I wish that we did not need them – us older birth mothers working for reforms – but we do. However, we understand and applaude them when they spend time with their families and even drop out for awhile. We approve wholeheartedly and I hope that they understand that we do.

Further Reading:

Core Issues in Adoption for Birth Parents

New Emotions

Photo by Jan Baker

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