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doggyluver
Dec 19, 2006, 06:29 PM
I am 14 and I always wanted to find out about my birth mother and some nights I just cry myself to sleep. I was in foster home for three months and then got adopted I would love to meet my biological mother

Synnen
Dec 26, 2006, 04:13 PM
Doggylover,
As a birthmother, I hope your pain is lessened by the fact that your birthmother thinks about you daily. I have a 14 year old daughter that I placed for adoption and I hope she isn't feeling as hurt as you are--I would hate that a choice I made in love is hurting the child I love.

That being said... is your adoption open? Semi-open? Do your adoptive parents have contact at all with your birthmother? You might start by asking your adoptive parents about your birthmother and see if they have any information. They may have a place for you to start looking for your birthmother.

It is very unlikely that with your adoption taking place in the 90s that your record is closed. Even if your adoptive parents will not talk about the circumstances of your adoption with you, it is very likely that you can find some information yourself. I'm not sure on WHEN you can start legally searching court records, but you may be able to check on sites like adoption.com to get your information out there (in the case of a closed or semi-closed adoption, especially)

Again, my first thought is that you really need to speak to your adoptive parents about this. They love you too, and wouldn't want you hurting!

CaptainForest
Dec 26, 2006, 08:50 PM
doggyluver,

Where do you live?

Or better yet, where were you given up for adoption?

For example, if in Ontario, you can find out the information of who your birth mother is now.

Fr_Chuck
Dec 26, 2006, 08:56 PM
I was adopted ( well over 50 years ago) as a teen I also though about birth parents for some time, I actually found out who mine were and even walked up to my birth fathers door once, you know I decided at that point and time not to, and don't regreat it.

You know why, my birth parents gave me up for a reason, either good or bad, this was their choice, and their choice to make.

And you know what else, you had a family that wanted you, and wanted to be your parents and raise you. They are your real parents, no one else is, the other people are merely sperm donors, a parent is the person who is there for you when you have a fever, they are there when you fall, they are there for you when you are scared in the dark,

You have allowed yourself to develop this myth of a "mother" that just is not there, And in doing so you are taking away the love and closeness your real mother who is raising you needs and deserves.

As a adult latter if you wish, you can make a choice to try and find them, but even if you do, they will be only a person you get to know, never a real mother or father, that is only the person who actually raised you.

** a person who was adopted and has a adopted son.

jrussole
Dec 30, 2006, 07:10 AM
doggyluver, I wish I was able to help you in some small way. I am an adoption search angel. And if you were 18-21 years of age, I would be able to provide you assistance. (It depends upon what state you live in and where you were adopted, for example as far as age requirements). But it is illegal to assist a minor.
My suggestion to you would be is to find out if it was a public or private adoption. If it was public, than an adoption agency can be contacted. You can receive your non id information from them, through your adoptive parents. Non id means that there maybe information for you about your birth family. Your parents can also request information from a state registry, if there is one in your state, that is? It maybe difficult for you to approach your parents about your feelings. It could hurt their feelings for example. But you have a right to settle these feelings that you are experiencing. Hope this helps. It sometimes is difficult for an adoptee to not know where they came from. It is important that you tell your parents about these feelings. And hope that they understand that you have many questions and concerns. I hope they don't get defensive with your rights to know. In years to come, for example- knowing your medical information and history may become a very important aspect of your life.
And again, I have to agree with Synnen. Your real parents are the ones that have raised you and loved you all of your life. Your birth mother was the one that loved you first. And probably made the choice for you to go and live with your parents because they could provide more than she could at the time. Love, commitment, stability are what every mother wishes for her child. Especially/Probably, the first one. One does not replace the other. It only helps you understand you, far better.

ScottGem
Dec 30, 2006, 07:30 AM
i am 14 and i always wanted to find out about my birth mother and some nights i just cry my self to sleep. i was in foster home for three months and then got adopted i would love to meet my biological mother

First, I would recommend you seek some counseling. It is perfectly normal to want to know and even met your birth parents. But not to the point where you cry yourself to sleep over it. That points to me that there are other issues that you need to resolved in your life.

Second, you need to understand that your adoptive parents chose you. They are your real parents and they deserve your love of respect for raising you.

Third, you should consider that giving you up was, most likely, an extraordinary act of love on your birth mothers part. You should take solace in that.

Finally, you should find out as much as you can about your birth. There are several adoption matching organizations on the WEB were you can post your info seeking contact from your birth parents and vice versa. You may have to wait until you are 18 to post yourself, but you can at least check if your birth parents are looking for you.

jrussole
Dec 30, 2006, 01:45 PM
doggyluver, if crying yourself to sleep makes you feel better, even just in the morning- it is releasing the anxiety and frustration that you are feeling. It is how many women release their anxiety and you should not receive judgment on how you release it. For many of us adoptees there is a primal need to know our birth mothers. There is nothing wrong with your emotions. And don't let anyone tell you differently. Crying for women is an outlet. Perfectly normal if we are experiencing hardship and or pain over something we cannot control and or change in our lives. The end.

Fr_Chuck
Dec 30, 2006, 01:52 PM
I guess this is where I will disagree firmly on what jrussole is saying. While yes of course ladies have various emtions and crying is one of them, it is not a every night thing, And if you have a uncontroled desire to find birth parents it can be not only unhealthly but destructive since the largest percentage of adoptees never even find out who they are, and much less actually find them.

If this feeling is harming our behavior or controlling our life to a point we are not living a full life in today and being who we are, not who we think we were there is a problem.

I spend a lot of time each year working with adopted people helping them let go of those feellings of having something missing, which is indeed cheating there real parents ( the ones raising them) out of the full relationship they deserve.

So I guess instead of like some, helping you find them, I work hard in helping people like you understand it does not matter if you ever finid them, and that you need to hold on to the love of the family you have, since they are your real family and will always be. And that a unrealistic quest can often destroy the relationships you have with the most important people in your life.

jrussole
Dec 30, 2006, 02:33 PM
i am 14 and i always wanted to find out about my birth mother and some nights i just cry my self to sleep. i was in foster home for three months and then got adopted i would love to meet my biological mother

If you always wanted to find out about your birth mother it is a primal need to know.
As you stated some nights- I am taking it that it isn't every night, right?
Some/every-big difference here.

How old where you when you were in a foster home? This poses a significant aspects of what memories may or may not be bothering you.

If you would love to meet your biological mother, there is nothing wrong with those feelings.

And I have to disagree with the Father again. There are millions of Americans searching for their birth families and vice versa.

There are many happy as well as sad reunions.

And most birth mothers that relinquish there children now-a days require and open adoption so that children such as yourself do not have to go to sleep in tears!

Statistically, 90% of adoptions today are open adoptions.

Adopted Children Should Be Able to View Adoption Records,
Says Recent Survey by FindLaw:

Adopted Children Should Be Able to View Adoption Records, Says New Survey by FindLaw (http://company.findlaw.com/pr/2003/112503.adoptiondocs.html)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1997 Cornell University Study Indicates Adoptive Parents
Are In Favor Of Open Records:

Cornell Science News: adoption record study (http://www.txcare.org/surveyab/stats/adoptionrecord_ssl.html)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keep updated on New York's progress for open records.
Get on the mailing list:

Sylvia's NY Adoption Page (http://www.nyadoption.org/)


doggyluver, I do not know what state you are in. Therefore I have used my own. There are many sites that pertain to this issue.

46 chromosomes, 23 pairs, make up the human body. Your biological mother and father gave u such chromosomes. For instance: BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 are autosomal dominant genes inherited in breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Pathology records are used to confirm family history of cancer because they are highly reliable. Adoptee's are unable to have full assessments of genetic pedigree including three-generation history, primary site, age at diagnosis of genetic relatives, previous surgeries that were successful/unsuccessful or reduction of risk, pregnancy loss, birth defects, race, ethnicity, health problems in family history. We are at a loss to be medically evaluated by genetic predisposition, whereby our environmental and occupational exposure/risks cannot be assessed in completion.

I have given you this information not to alarm you. I am offering you this information so that you understand the importance of knowing your truth one day.

Just remember, your parents can help you receive the answers that you are seeking. Many adoptive parents are open to questions concerning their child's feelings in this matter. But there are some adoptive parents who will argue until their child becomes ill with a deadly disease or illness for example. Then they suddenly become open and rationalize the need for more open communication and OPEN RECORDS!

Remember, your feelings are shared by many children as well as adults. They are your feelings and you own them. Whether "adults" agree or disagree with you or me is secondary to you feeling better about yourself and about being adopted.:)




I spend alot of time each year working with adopted people helping them let go of those feellings of having something missing, which is indeed cheating there real parents ( the ones raising them) out of the full relationship they deserve.

So I guess instead of like some, helping you find them, I work hard in helping people like you understand it does not matter if you ever finid them, and that you need to hold on to the love of the family you have, since they are your real family and will always be. And that a unrealistic quest can often destroy the relationships you have with the most important poeple in your life.

Father, most adoptive children who have fears about something missing, indeed have something missing!
And again, one does not replace the other. Finding or wanting to find your first family does not replace the family that you were raised in and hopefully loved in. This is a profound misconception and a tool used to discourage people from finding out there truth. Along with guilt tactics. Most of us adoptees hold onto our love for our family because we have been loved and cherished all of our lives. And it maybe unrealistic for you but it may not be unrealistic for someone else not to seek answers to their questions. Most reunions bring families together. It brings comfort to the adoptee who has searched or wondered or questions in regard to their first families.

For every one person you may be able to show that has had a bad outcome, I can show you many more who have found peace, happiness and or closure to many of their fears, concerns, wonderment, aspirations, desires and the like.

I took me 40 years to find out who my birth mother was. And my adoptive mother, father, brother, sister, cousin's, Uncle's, Aunt's, grandma's, grandpa's all respected, understood and supported me for every moment of it! Now that is what makes a REAL unconditional loving family! Finding your first one, doesn't replace nor invalidate who has loved you and cherished every breath that you make in the world. It brings most of us comfort.
I now know who I look like! Where I get that need to jump out of a perfectly good airplane with just a parachute. Why playing guitar and being able to draw come so naturally to me. Because I take after my First Family. There are genetic charateristics that cannot be denied.
But I get my sponk, from my Pops. I get my kindness, from Ma. I am everything that those who loved me made me to be. Stubborn! Heck Yes, that one was from my birth mother! My half sister, is just like me. So there are two of us out there in this world! Half brother, not only do we look alike, but it is amazing how we share the same laugh, the same humor, and the same athletic abilities. And birth Aunt P! Well, she can go on and on for hours! Sound familiar? :D It is just simply amazing! And NO ONE could ever tell this family reunited differently!

ScottGem
Dec 30, 2006, 05:25 PM
jrussole (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/members/jrussole.html) disagrees: Crying herself to sleep maybe her way of dealing with a primal uncertainty. It is not for you to judge how she releases that uncertainty.

First may I call your attention to the guidelines for using the comments feature as discussed here:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/feedback/using-comments-feature-24951.html

You can disagree with my advice, but it's a matter of opinion not fact, therefore a negative comment is uncalled for.

I stand by my advice. It certainly is my place to make judgements on the information posted here. That's what we are all doing. You are making a judgement about this being a primal uncertainty. So why is it OK for you to make judgements and not me? Just more of your hypocrisy. Its OK when you do something but not when someone else does.

It is my feeling that crying oneself to sleep over not knowing who your birth parent is, excessive. I think a counselor will help the OP deal with those feelings and determine if there is something more behind it. Maybe there isn't, but if there is, it should be resolved now.

Synnen
Jan 2, 2007, 09:02 AM
Speaking as a birthmother who is involved with a few communities (mostly online) of birthmothers--I don't know a single one who wouldn't love to hear from the child that they placed. However, most of the women I know are involved in open or semi-open adoptions, and that may make a HUGE difference.

Whether your parents (your adoptive parents, who are your "real" parents) help you find your birthmother, or whether you start a search on your own... You NEED to get counseling. Many adoptees feel torn inside, and have feelings of not "fitting". I do not know this from personal experience, just from what I've read on the subject... please don't consider me an expert on how the adoptee feels! However, ANY person that is feeling that upset on a subject could benefit from talking to a counselor, or a clergyperson, SOMEONE.

I urge you to talk with your parents. They love you and want you to be happy, even if their feelings are hurt initially.

FeelSoNumbZombie
Jan 19, 2007, 10:02 AM
Please do not listen to any negative people in this world. Especially being an adoptee, finding your birth family, or the what if's.
If You are an adult,(its is OK to ask for help). If you are teenager, you can search as much as you wish. And remember, Your birth mother and father are adults. He/she maybe searching for you. And it is up to you and your belief system to decided what is best for you and your first family and to search for him/her. There have been many happy reunion's. Don't let anyone tell you differently.
There is an adoptee support group: Yahoo! Groups (http://[email protected]) as well as many others. You can do a browser search on the yahoogroups.com website and or googlegroups.com website.
May I suggest you start of there. It is very helpful to share your experiences as well as read other's experiences who have undergone the same things that you yourself have undergone. I have. And receive support and assistance in your search process.
Also, most adoptees decide to register with Adoption.com - Information on International, Domestic, Child & Agency Adoptions, Stories, Laws - (http://www.adoption.com). If there birthfamily is searching for them, in all likelihood they have registered there as well. Just leave a current and update email address. Because it may take time and you don't want to miss the opportunity by not having an active email address if he/she does try to find you.
There are many support groups for adoptees as well as birth mothers, and adoptive parents. More and more adoptive parents are realizing the necessity of knowing and having good communication with their child's first parents. It is no longer taboo. And open adoptive the mainstream today.
Please check at the Yahoo! Groups (http://www.yahoogroups.com) site and put in adoption in the browser search. Select a group that will assist you in your state or the state of where the adult adoptee was born. You will see how many people are in the same situation as you are in. Not everyone is negative about adoption. Some are, and you have to feel sorry for them.
But I am sure you have lived quite long enough to realize there are people out there that just want to discourage you. Discourage you from wondering, discourage you from searching yourself, discourage you from your getting your information, discourage you from searching and reunion.
Everyone is different. Everyone's path in life is different. You may just find your first family waiting for the past 29 years to find you. Please do not let anyone make you feel that you do not have any rights to search for him/her and find out if they are willing to reunite and or speak with you. He/She is an adult now. You are an adult now. And you and they can make up there own mind. There are millions of adoptees such as yourself searching and seeking a reunion. There are millions of birth mothers that are searching and seeking a reunion.
Get the support that is long overdue with a support group. Register with Adoption.com - Information on International, Domestic, Child & Agency Adoptions, Stories, Laws - (http://www.adoption.com), you never know if she/he is desperate to find you. Register with ISRR, International Soundex Reunion Registry, ISRR . com , Index of Search and Reunion Resources (http://www.isrr.com). And find out if there is a State run registry were the you were born or if you can register with them.
Again, he/she maybe waiting for you to register. And maybe not. But you never know until you find out yourself. You have a right to find out. I have.

sexybeasty
Feb 19, 2007, 09:48 PM
Hey sweetie.I am of mother to a boy who didn't meet his birth father until age 16, and who was raised by his adoptive dad. I can say that in healthy families, it is o.k. to love several people and have different bonds with them. Of course the people that raise you will always be your folks, ALWAYS! And you will always be certain of this collectively. That said, having a friendship and bond with your bio mom is a good thing too, if she is kind and worthy of your love. Just keep your expectations down until the day you meet. Hopefully she will be as wonderful as you want her to be. Remember though, regardless, you are wanted and loved by your family. Hope and pray for the best and know that it will all work out. God loves you and is taking care of you.

damoninjailagain
Mar 3, 2007, 04:39 PM
i am 14 and i always wanted to find out about my birth mother and some nights i just cry my self to sleep. i was in foster home for three months and then got adopted i would love to meet my biological mother
Baby girl I too am adopted I did not find out until I was your age I struggled very hard with it all I can tell you is be a beautiful 14 year old and when you get about 21 then rethink the situation and then if you want find your birth mom . Now I am 24 and don't care if she finds me good if not oh well I love my adoptive mom to death she didn't have to raise me and my birth mom could have keep me in a bad life she wanted more for me so I respect that and she's hell of a woman to give me to a better life... hope this helps love you