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It’s National De-Lurking Week. Last year I made posts on my personal blogs about this amusing internet event and found some new, interesting readers that became great internet friends. I’ll be posting again on the family blog to find out who is reading there but really, I want to know about you!
Leave me a comment. Tell me who you are. Tell me why you read. Tell me your life story. Tell me about your dog, Mugsy, who thinks he’s a cat. What’s your connection to adoption? Though I’ve asked it before, is there anything you’d like to see me cover in the next year? Favorite color? Favorite actor? Favorite book! (I’m always looking for new books to read.) Really, even a “Hello, I’m only reading your blog because I’m your editor and I have to make sure you aren’t posting awful, awful things,” would be just fine by me!
I’m guilty of it myself. I read blogs, lots of them, often with quiet fascination. I comment on a regular few, including some here on adoptionblogs but often times, I just quietly read. This is your chance to comment without me saying, “Well who the heck is this? Why are they reading? What’s their story? Blah bla blah?”
I encourage other bloggers to post this on their different blogs. Seriously. Give it a whirl! I met some great people upon posting this last year. Actually, I think I’ve met one or two of them in real life this past year. I also better learned who my readers were at that point and could better focus my writing. Not a bad way to meet new people and hone your craft!
Comment. Tell us who you are! Speak now! Or forever hold your peace! (That is, until you really find a post you want to comment on!)
Hi, (waving from Canada) de-lurking to say I am one of the readers with the “quiet fascination” you referred to. I am a single mom, my daughter is the same age as the Munchkin, and was “unexpected” (this is the wording I like, I hate unplanned etc., just a personal preference) and a lot of things you blog about just resonate with me; most recently about the munchkin’s birthfather, and his apparent similarities to my daughter’s father.
Lauri here..
long time reader, long time lurker… I love reading your posts and learning the birthmoms perspective. I love reading about your open adoption and I have learned so much about the openess factor from you.
Another birthmom here. Still learning and coming to grips with my daughters adoption. Seeing how it will play out and all of my emotions that go with it. Reading for awhile, posted on a few.
National de-lurking week??? LOL! I’ll love to see how many more of us are out here. I’m an adoptive mom of a 9 month old girl, in a healthy open adoption. I started out on the forums (First Year) and then began reading here when you started on this blog. Although my dd’s birthmom and I have a good relationship, it has not been without some personal anxiety over various issues. Reading the perspectives of other birthmoms in open adoption has frequently helped me gain better understanding of what B may be experiencing. It always increases my heart for her (so to speak) and challenges me to communicate.
I have posted here once or twice before, but Marci here!! I first came over here after “talking” to you numerous times in the forums. Your articles are the only ones I read without fail. (I always check to see if there are any others that are interesting!!) Your story and experiences gave me the courage to have a fully open adoption with my son’s first mom. I envy the relationship you have with D and I hope that E and I have that one day. I have so much respect for you, Jenna and thank you for sharing your wisdom with us!!
well I also delurked on your family blog. But I’m from Canada and love reading your blogs b/c of your honesty, and it gives me a better understanding of some of the issues my sons first mom might be feeling.
I have a 3 year old adopted son named Chance who came to live with us as a foster child when he was 14 months old, and his adoption came final just over a year and half later (just this past Aug). It is a closed adoption due to b.moms unstable life style including addictions. However, and trying to convince my husband to reconsider the contact we have with her and allow phone calls and contact. On going battle!
If you want my whole story you can e-mail me and ask me. lol
Hi! I’m Theresa — “met” you on the adoptive parenting blog! I’m mom to 27 and bigtime promotor of open adoptions whenever possible. I love our kids’ birthmoms, every one! Some I’ve never met. Others seriously abused the children that I now parent Others did so, but have gotten help and are now making amazing choices. Some chose me specifically to be the next mother; some later approved after the decision had been made for them. Some struggle, some are homeless, some have died, some are in other countries and yet unnamed. Even though I may even be angry about some choices made, I love them all. God sent children, through them, to my family – for me to parent and to love. That forever binds us. We are, all three – child and two mothers – tied together.
Oh yeah, my favorite color is red.
Hi! I am an adoptive mom to a fabulous six year old boy. I read your posts because I hope one day our open adoption can be more like yours. I think my son’s birthmother is in a different stage of processing then you are. She hasn’t visited since September and has pretty much stopped returning my calls and letters. Haven’t heard from her in about two months. We miss her.
I just de-lurked on your family blog and I’ll pipe up here too. I’m Angela, firstmom to my Sweetling, Elyse, who is slightly over 3 months.
I don’t have a dog who thinks he’s a cat, but my boyfriend is a self-proclaimed Viking Pirate. I can’t choose a favorite book, there are too many choices. (Really looking forward to your book reviews.)
I’d love to see you recommend blogs by firstparents and adoptive parents and even by adoptees. Because I love reading blogs, and I work in the middle of the night so blogs help me stay awake.
Tammy here… I read all the time Jenna… I value so much your perspective. I need it. Thanks…
Just stumbled upon your blog this morning through a fellow LJ user’s blog. I have a feeling I’ll be reading more and more from this though. It’s good to find a mature, educated and articulate take on open adoption. I’m currently 36 weeks pregnant with a daughter I’ll be placing in an open adoption at birth. Slide on over to http://www.livejournal.com/~maryiodithsbaby for more about me
thanks for the much needed advice, etc.