As you work through the steps to adoption, from the initial research and
contact to the placement after delivery, it is important to remember that
you will be confronted with a wide range of emotions, objections, and encouragements.
This is normal. In fact, you might be surprised at how many women go through the
same things you are experiencing. Each year, more than 150,000 children are adopted
and it is estimated that more than 1 million children in the United States live
with adoptive parents. (Stolley 1993)
In 1997, the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute conducted a benchmark
survey to examine public attitudes toward the institution of adoption
and members of the adoption triad. The survey found that 6 in 10 Americans
have had personal experience with adoption, meaning that they themselves,
a family member, or a close friend was adopted, had adopted a child,
or had placed a child for adoption. (Evan B. Donaldson Institute, 1997)
There is no set beginning or finish line to cross for the issues and questions
that surround adoption. At times, these issues will be voiced by people that are
a part of your life. At other times they will be your thoughts that you contemplate
and think through.
You will hear that in order to place your baby for adoption
you must not love your child, when the truth is that adoption plans are only
created through pure, unselfish love. You might be told that "you don't have
it any harder than anyone else," but the point they're missing is that it's
not about you.
The thought might occur to you that your child will always hate
and resent you but repeated studies have shown that adopted children have positive,
thankful views of their birthmother. These issues are, at times, not easy to examine.
There will not be a time in your life when you will have forgotten about your decision
and experience. But you will heal from the loss, it is not a lifelong process, and you
can find great peace and comfort in your unselfish act of love.
Visit us at easyadopt.com
|
