Hey everyone!

Life has been a whirlwind lately with Brent and I. So many positive things happening that we are just beside ourselves. We know that we have to take things day by day and stay positive. The one amazing thing is having my partner in crime. I know that we both will make great parents and I can't wait to have a family with my best friend.  

Common Openness Fears and Myths (and What the Research Says) of Open Adoption

Thought I would post some of the common myths and fears of open adoption since to some it is not well known by all. This is an excerpt from: www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_openadopt.pdf#page=4&view=Benefits of Open Adoption

Doug and I chose open adoption because we want to have a relationship with our child's birthfamily. We want to be able to answer questions and to know hi/her bio-mom/dad. We are excited for the ability to extend our family not only to our future child, but to the people whom gave us such a great gift. Thanks all for following us!

Common Openness Fears and Myths (and What the Research Says) of Open Adoption

Myth: Adopted children will become confused about who their “real parents” are and suffer identify issues.

Reality: Adopted children and youth are not confused about who their parents are. They understand the different roles adoptive and birth parents play in their lives. They recognize who gave them life
and who cares for them on a daily basis. Open relationships and conversations about adoption often help strengthen the adopted youth’s sense of identity.

Myth: Birth parents will try to “reclaim” their children.

Reality: There is no evidence that birth mothers try to take back their children in an open adoption. In some studies, ongoing contact with birth parents has led to increased comfort levels and helped adoptive parents ease such fears. (It is important to remember that birth parents have terminated parental rights and can’t decide after several years to take back their children.)


Myth: Birth parents will interfere in the adoptive families’ lives, and parents will be confused about their rights and responsibilities.


Reality: Participants in open adoption are generally not confused about their parenting rights and responsibilities. In fact, some adoptive parents in open relationships report feeling a greater sense of entitlement to parent their adopted child.

Myth: Birth mothers in open adoption will have more problems with feelings of grief and loss.

Reality: Many birth mothers are able to deal with their grief, loss, and sadness better in open adoption than in closed adoption. Making an open adoption work requires commitment to ongoing relationships,
despite their ups and downs. While adoptive family and birth family relationships may seem awkward at first, over time the involved individuals typically become more comfortable. Some people compare the experience to working out other extended family relationships, such as relationships with new in-laws or with a child’s stepfamily following a divorce and remarriage. While some adoptive and birth families arrange openness informally, others will develop more formal agreements. When challenges arise, some families use mediation or other support for help.

Hello All,

It's been a crazy week but lots a good positive thoughts coming our way. Brent and I are so excited about the next chapter in our life. We know it will be just a short amount of time before our world is going to change. We could not be anymore ready to start our family.  Thanks again for the support! 

Feeling excited today. I am so ready to hold our new little one in our arms for the first time. I know that our day is coming soon and I can't wait for that amazing day to come.  Love you all for the support!

Hey All!

Life is defiantly crazy busy lately and I know this waiting can be very difficult some days. The one good thing is we have each other to get through this. We are so excited about beginning our family. The next chapter in our life is so close we can almost touch it. The one thing that has been so great for us is every time our story is shared or viewed it brings us one step closer to meeting our birthmother. We can't wait to meet her and have an additional family member in our life.  Thank you again everyone and keep sharing our story it is helping us change our life.  

Real Modern Dads - Hey Everyone! Share our story with just one person today. Getting our story out there will help us meet our future birthmother. Thank you again for all the support.

Modern Day Parenting

A great article from a British nanny.  I completely agree with the items listed in here, especially #3 talking about how other should be able to help raise a child.  I remember my friend's and family adults correcting me if I did something wrong.  I know we all want to give more to our children than what we had (and i am one of those people that believe that), but there should still be limits and boundaries.  What do you think?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/emma-jenner/modern-day-parenting-in-c_b_5552527.html

What a great 4th weekend! Brent and I have so many amazing friends in our life. Our child will be truly blessed with so many aunts and uncles. I just get so excited thinking about starting our family. I know it is coming and I wanted to again thank everyone for all the amazing support. Love you all!