If you are considering adoption for your child, you might be looking at adoption agencies. Choosing an adoption agency to help you through the adoption process has many benefits. You may not know exactly what you’re looking for in an… Read More
I am Dean Kirschner. Why "Libby's Corner?" This blog, actually, all of Adoption Makes Family, is a tribute to my mother who brought adoption to our family in 1956 when my older sister was adopted.
When my mother died in 1967, she left a legacy of love for children that transcended any biological connection. Having been only 8 years old at the time of her death, I do not recall hearing specific words about adoption from my mother. However, through the years, having many conversations with her friends and our family, I have learned so much about my mother's feelings toward children, toward adoption.
Personally, the experience of adoption has been in my life since my own birth. I'm the little brother of an older sister who was adopted at birth. Adoption was never a big deal in our family. We were all treated the same. Biologically conceived by our parents or adopted, there was never a sense for me that we were loved any differently.
I remember at my first home study meeting in preparation to adopt my first son. The social worker asked if I had any personal experience with adoption. My first reaction was a sense of connection. I lived with adoption all my life. I embrace adoption. Now, I am the father of two boys, both adopted.
Every day I realize how much I love my sons. I laugh with my sons. I play with my sons. I parent my sons. Some days there are frustrations. More days, there are fun and joyful times with my sons. Some days, I have had to be a disciplinarian. More days, I am the supporter, the advocate, the fixer, the helper, the confidant, the teacher, the guide, the safety net, the protector. To sum it up, I'm Dad.
My sons are adopted, yet we don't hold that term as a distinction of difference. We celebrate adoption as a means by which I became Dad and they became my children. When I introduce my sons, I introduce them as my sons. Introduce my sister as my sister. The stories of how we became a family are amazingly wonderful. We share our adoption stories proudly. The adoption stories speak to the excitement of becoming a sister, a brother, a son, a grandson, a cousin, a nephew.
I have spoken with my sister and my sons about their feelings about their birth parents and the adoption. No one has forgotten that they were adopted, because adoption is an open conversation in our family. However, there is no angst about adoption. We answer questions honestly and allow complete and open discussions about birth parents and their adoption story. There are no mysteries or secrets. There are stories of love, excitement and family.
As for how we get along as siblings, my sister and I have our disagreements. More often, we have our agreements. We have fought, loved, laughed, played. We are just normal siblings. I don't feel adoption plays into our relationship. We have had wonderful discussions about adoption and birth parents. However, when it comes down to just being brother and sister, we are just that. Brother and sister. My sister has actively reached out and chatted with birth mothers who have created an adoption plan with Adoption Makes Family.
My sons have the same type of relationship. They love like brothers. They fight like brothers. They protect each other and look out for each other. They are not biologically related. They are related through adoption. But, above all, they are brothers.
And so, I turn back to my mother, Libby. I learned from my mother the unconditional love for children. Starting in her own little corner of our family, she shaped me, my sister, my sons and our world. Hopefully, this blog, Libby's Corner, can do the same for you.
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Will My Adoption Agency Help Cover My Medical Expenses?
When using an adoption agency to plan your adoption, there are a number of benefits included. Most of your medical expenses will usually be covered by the agency or by the adoptive parents whom you have chosen. Every state has… Read More
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Why Consider an Adoption?
Many birth parents see adoption as the very last resort. It is something that they would choose to do after every other avenue has been exhausted. In many ways, an adoption is viewed as giving up. It’s even embedded in… Read More
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Adoption Plan Process
Generally, a birth mother and father make their decision about adoption during a birth mother’s pregnancy. However, at Adoption Makes Family, we understand that a pregnancy can be an extremely stressful situation. A birth mother and father may not feel… Read More
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I feel depressed now that my adoption has been completed. What do I do?
When formulating your adoption plan, few people think about what will happen after the adoption. Many women are unaware how common it is for birth mothers to experience depression after the adoption process is completed. Unless you have talked to someone… Read More
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Open vs. closed adoption?
When you have decided to choose adoption for your child, you will then have the option between open or closed adoptions. Deciding which is the best option for you and for your child might feel like a difficult decision, especially… Read More
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I just delivered my baby. Is it too late to create an adoption plan?
Most people think of adoption as a decision that is made during the pregnancy. It is usually something that birth parents start to consider as soon as the woman discovers she is pregnant. But pregnancy, especially an unplanned pregnancy, can be… Read More
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What to look for in an adoptive family for my child?
Most birth parents want to have some say in who adopts their child. If this is true of your situation, you might not know what to look for when it comes to choosing a family. At Adoption Makes Family you will… Read More
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Will my adoption agency support me in my post adoption experience?
After you have given your child up for adoption can be a very difficult time in your life. Even if you know that you are providing your child with a much better life, more security, and a brighter future, you… Read More
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Creative Ways to Announce Your Adoption
Adoption can be a very emotional time. For some families, they prefer not to announce their adoption until their child is securely in their home. For others, they are excited to let friends and family know as soon as possible… Read More