Open Adoption

I have opinions, as anybody who knows me well can attest. As I’ve gotten older I think I have more patience for other people’s opinions and lifestyle choices. I just wish other people were on this journey with me. We are part of an open adoption with my daughter’s first family, grandparents, parents, the whole group. I know every adoption situation is different, but I think the most important over-arching concept that has ruled my thoughts on adoption for the last 6 months since the death of my J (Lily’s birthmother) is that I may be called on to explain all of this to her one day. I have really taken that to heart as a parent.

I need to be able to explain why we don’t eat meat. I need to be able to explain why we chose adoption. I need to be able to explain why she can’t watch another tv show. Everything!

Little and big things, but clarified through the lens of needing to defend my position, really helps me to think about why I choose what I choose. Does that make sense? I hope other adoptive parents grasp that for their situation too. They may well be called to answer questions one day about why they have a certain level of openness with their family of origin. Can you defend your position?