There was no outright adoption speak in today's installment of Sunday Secrets over at Post Secret. But there were two that really caught my eye with regard to the subjects I write about on this blog.

First off, we have this one.

Pregnant women remind me of my failures.

One should note,... more

I have been following this story for several days now, and each article that comes out gives more disgusting details.

One of the leaders of the Illinois Council on Adoptable Children is under investigation for child abuse against three girls in her home. The initial report stated that Patricia Cooper permitted her biological son to sexually assault the girls over an eight year period. The son, Christopher Cooper is now being held in jail without bond and is being charged... more

I've really enjoyed plunging myself into True Mom Confessions' (TMC) archives and finding adoption related posts by people like you and me. Quite honestly, it's been an eye-opening experience for me to look at the way different members of the triad view their own positions. In case you missed anything, here's a brief overview of the week long look at adoption confessions.

First and foremost, adoption is not a joke.... more

Being a Wisconsin native, I have a love/hate relationship with the state of Illinois, but this latest article has me questioning the mentality of the elected officials.

A news story came out announcing budget cuts for the state that will harm the most at risk children. The government could not pass a balanced budget, so government programs are being cut. Cuts include 179 jobs in the Department of Children Family Services and another 73 jobs in the Department... more

Just like other Moms who have been confession on the site True Mom Confessions (TMC), birth moms have various kinds of confessions. I find myself frequently taken aback by their honesty and not always in a negative way. In fact, sometimes I wish these mothers would find the strength to say these things in public. Alas, this site is mainstream and maybe doing it in this manner is teaching the world something about birth mothers.

Quite simply put, this... more

The confessions on True Mom Confessions aren't always easy reads. From problems within marriages to parenting difficulties to drama with in-laws, the confessions really hit home with a lot of issues. Some of the most difficult reads for me are not just the ones talking about the ins and outs of adoption but the ones that address issues that surround adoption. Those who considered relinquishment, those who considered or had an abortion and those who experienced an unplanned pregnancy. I thought I'd share a few to wrap... more

There was a question on one of the adoption forums and I thought it was a great question that should be addressed.

What will prevent you from being accepted as a foster parent? While I can’t give you distinct answers on that, I can tell you some things that many people are concerned about that won’t automatically have your application turned down. They may require further explanation, but they are not an automatic rejection.

An abusive childhood – I have talked about my own childhood in various blogs. I was physically abused by my... more

What is a Guardian Ad Litem? Simply put, this is an attorney for your child. You generally do not have any input into who the Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) is.

The GAL is assigned by the court to look out for the best interests of your child. Your child has been assigned an attorney to be sure that the child’s needs are being met, that your child is in a placement that is in the best interest, that paperwork and things like requesting a termination of parental rights are done in a timely manner and so on.

You may not always meet your child’s GAL or speak with the GAL.... more

I think the most interesting confessions on True Mom Confessions (TMC) regarding adoption have come from adoptees, birth family members and those who are somehow related to or touched by an adoptee. I think they speak boldly about adoption in ways that the rest of us can't do because they had the absolute least choice in their existence and subsequent adoption than even the birth mother with the least amount of choice regarding her child's placement. I find it interesting to look at some of these and see how others' choices... more

Safe Haven laws are meant to allow a mother to leave her child with a responsible party and allow the child to be placed for adoption. The main purpose of the law is to prevent mothers who are afraid of coming forward from potentially killing their babies. There are mothers who are afraid to admit to being pregnant and the Safe Haven laws give them an option to allow their child to live, rather than hiding.

Nebraska’s new law takes things quite a bit further. It allows for the mother to surrender a child up the age of 19. Most states set the limit at anywhere... more