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Birth Parents: TAKE THIS SURVEY

SchmennaLeigh's picture
Posted January 16th, 2008 by SchmennaLeigh

If you are a birth parent (mother or father) in an open or closed adoption who relinquished voluntarily or had your rights terminated, PLEASE TAKE THIS SURVEY. They are looking for 600 participants by December 1, 2008. Let's blow that number out of the water.

Here's some info:

The Surrender Survey Project is for parents (mother and fathers) who have voluntarily relinquished and/or had their rights (involuntarily) terminated. And so, in that way, it is all inclusive. More over, the questions pertain to both parents in closed and open adoption, not just one or the other. I know that there are some things that try to exclude one group or the other but this survey acknowledges both. In fact, this survey's success depends on answers from both closed and open adoption birth parents.

Of special note: for parents that have relinquished more than one child, you are asked to take it once for each child relinquished. (Meaning, if you have placed two children, please take the survey twice, answering specifics for each individual child on each individual survey attempt.)

(If you need a bit more info, read the birth/first parent blog. Or just take the survey!)

The Spirit of Open Adoption

Posted January 3rd, 2008 by heather
Author:

James L. Gritter

Publisher:

CWLA Press

Copyright:

1997

ISBN:

978-0878686377

Pages:

314

Price:

$18.95

Rating:

8

Review:

Published in 1997, The Spirit of Open Adoption remains one of the best available presentations of the philosophy (not the mechanics) of open adoption. Gritter—a long-time social worker whose agency helped pioneer current open adoption practices—advocates for a value-based, child-centered approach to openness. Blending philosophy, spirituality, and personal experience, he makes a compelling case for ongoing, face-to-face contact. Throughout, he emphasizes the importance of honesty, respect, and mutual commitment from all participants. Realistic about the pain and possible ethical pitfalls of domestic adoption, he also recognizes its potential joys.

Gritter writes to a wide audience, including first parents, adoptive parents, adoptees and adoption professionals. As a result, the book can be unwieldy and could stand a good edit. (This, not the content, keeps me from rating it higher.) Readers willing to slog through some of the more repetitive sections, however, will discover one of the classics of open adoption literature.
Related links:

Purchase this book from the publisher

When words get in the way

Posted July 29th, 2007 by dawn

When I wrote the note about language for this site I did that so that visitors would know exactly what first parent means and also to make it clear that first family members are present and valued here.

Megan's Birthday Tree: A Story About Open Adoption

Posted June 26th, 2007 by heather

A favorite of many open adoption families, "Megan's Birthday Tree" tells the story of a little girl being reassured of her first mother's love for her. Her first mom, Kendra, planted a tree when Megan was born, and each year on Megan's birthday Kendra decorates the growing tree and sends a picture to Megan.

Author:

Laurie Lears, Bill Farnsworth (illustrator)

Publisher:

Albert Whitman & Co.

Copyright:

2005

ISBN:

0807550361

Pages:

32

Rating:

9

Review:

A favorite of many open adoption families, "Megan's Birthday Tree" tells the story of a little girl being reassured of her first mother's love for her. Her first mom, Kendra, planted a tree when Megan was born, and each year on Megan's birthday Kendra decorates the growing tree and sends a picture to Megan. When Megan learns that Kendra is moving to a new city, she worries that Kendra will forget about her without the tree to remind her. The story follows Megan as she searches for ways to replace the tree, and culminates with her sharing her fears with Kendra and being assured of their bond.

An excellent book for any family involved in an open adoption, this could be comforting for children in closed or semi-open adoptions as well. The story focuses on Megan and her relationship with Kendra, with the adoptive parents playing a supportive, but minor role. Megan has complex feelings about her adoption appropriate to her age.

Ages 4-10. The characters are Causasian. Megan's first father is not mentioned.