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Home / Blog / Birth Parent Reflections
Family photo posed outdoors near waterfall

A Longing to Know More

March 24, 2021 by Staff Contributor

In 1956 Lois Nelson, a 16-year-old high school junior, walked into the Salvation Army Booth Women’s Home and Hospital, a safe haven for unwed mothers, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Before

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Filed Under: Adoptee Reflections, Birth Parent Reflections, Reunion, Today's Child and Family

A picture of a street with holiday decorations and the words "A Very Foster Christmas and an Adoptive New Year, Dec 8 4 PM"

A Very Foster Christmas and an Adoptive New Year

November 11, 2018 by Staff Contributor

Joyful Noize Productions is putting together a show celebrating the foster/adoption community and YOU are the stars. They have an open call for story tellers who want to share their

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Filed Under: Adoptee Reflections, Adoptive Family Stories, Birth Parent Reflections, Events, Foster Care, Foster Care Adoption, Infant Adoption, International Adoption, News

A picture of Adrienne with her arm draped over her daughter Nora at the age of 4. They both smile at the camera.

Feels Like Home | A Birth Mother’s Story

May 1, 2018 by Guest Contributor

From the moment I found out I was pregnant, I knew I was going to do adoption. But the path was not as straight-forward as I first expected. My daughter’s

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Filed Under: Birth Parent Reflections, Infant Adoption, News

A Letter from My Birth Parents

December 18, 2017 by Guest Contributor

The following is an excerpt from How Did You Find Me, a sweet story about love lost and found again. Crossing over decades, the book weaves together the narratives of an

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Filed Under: Adoptee Reflections, Birth Parent Reflections, Infant Adoption, News, Reunion

A birth mother and adoptive mother hold hands as they empathize with each other over their sense of loss.

Adoption: Recognizing the loss for all of us

August 15, 2017 by Lisa Qualls

I witnessed something unexpected this weekend—a swirl of pain in a normally safe place. A group devoted to conversations about parenting adopted/foster children with connection, a group teaching and supporting

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Filed Under: Adoptive Family Stories, Birth Parent Reflections, Foster Care Adoption, Infant Adoption, International Adoption, News

Lisa's son stands with his hand on his mother's dress and looking to the left. He is of African descent and dressed in a tie, vest and button up shirt. Photo credit Kara Pennington Photography.

For the Love of a First Mom (Birth Mom)

July 28, 2017 by Lisa Qualls

Last Friday my son arrived home from school with a friend. He opened the front door, calling out, “Hi, Mom!” Turning to his friend, he added, “Dude, I have two

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Filed Under: Adoptive Family Stories, Birth Parent Reflections, Foster Care Adoption, Infant Adoption, International Adoption, News

A birth mother sits outside with her back to the camera as she reflects on the sorrow and joy she's experienced in the last year.

Olivia is One: Life after placement

July 6, 2017 by Andrea

I am behind as Olivia is almost 13 months old but I finally feel OK to talk about this milestone without bawling… I was SO SO fortunate to celebrate Olivia’s

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Filed Under: Birth Parent Reflections, Infant Adoption, News

A close up shot of the foot of an infant who was adopted as she is at the doctors office. The rest of her body is visible but blurred in the background.

I found a reason for living, found a reason to love again

March 7, 2017 by Andrea

Today I was blessed with the privilege of going to Olivia’s 4-month doctors appointment! It was an amazing experience. The doctor said she will be a little one, but she

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Filed Under: Birth Parent Reflections, Infant Adoption, News

A birth mother holds her daughter in front of the Christmas tree.

A Birth Mother’s Experience: The Holidays and Open Adoption

December 24, 2016 by Andrea

The holiday time is finally upon us and I’m excited/dreading it. Last year was so different for me. I was pregnant and seemingly alone. I had very little support once

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Filed Under: Birth Parent Reflections, Infant Adoption, News

An empty stool on a stage for auditions to perform in a play about adoption. Photo via Flickr Eyebidem.

Open Auditions | Wonderlust Productions Adoption Play

May 3, 2016 by Staff Contributor

Wonderlust Productions is pleased to invite members of the adoption community to audition for a new play based on the experiences of people in Minnesota affected by adoption. The play is a

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Filed Under: Adoptee Reflections, Adoptive Family Stories, Birth Parent Reflections, Events, News

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