Adoption has come so far. 50 years ago: Birth moms had very few rights. Parents adopting children didn’t have enough information on trauma informed care. Adoptees didn’t have the freedom to share their stories. While anyone in the adoption triad will tell you the adoption space is far from perfect, it’s healthy to look back…
For all of us at Adopt a Love Story, it’s been an honor to build a sacred and beautiful partnership with Ashley Mitchell, a woman who is many things – writer, speaker, business owner, adoption advocate – but chooses to share her experiences as a birth mother with our community. Today, Ashley shares what life…
I never thought that I’d deliver a child biologically. As a little girl, I can remember saying, “I’m just going to adopt them all.” By “all” I was referring to the orphaned children of the world. Even at a young age, I had a heart broken wide-open for kids without families. I guess that’s not…
Diedre Anthony is here to talk all things multicultural haircare for adoptive families! 5 Tools That No Curly Haired Person Should Live Without Determining your curl type can help you learn how to care for your curls. Different curls have different needs. Thicker, tighter curls tend to need products that are pudding like and thicker…
With so many controversial things taking place in our country today, social media has been a firestorm of conversations about race – both good and unproductive. It can be difficult to muddle through all the negativity and truly understand how to effect change. The thing about change is that it happens slowly. One person at…
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.” ~Maya Angelou Maya Angelou was a rare and gifted writer. In many ways, her words have raised me over the years. They continue to do so. Through some of my most difficult and challenging hours, her wisdom has soothed me. Yet, perhaps,…
The past few months, we’ve been on a journey with Ashley Mitchell – speaker, writer, and adoption advocate. Ashley is sharing her story with our community and we are so grateful. As a birth mom 10 years post-placement, Ashley is uniquely placed to lead conversations about adoption, post-placement care, and ethical adoption. Today, Ashley offers…
We’re excited to share this special chapter from Rachel Garlinghouse’s new book, The Hopeful Mom’s Guide to Adoption: the Wit and Wisdom You Need for the Journey. As an adoptive mom, Rachel has been a part of the adoption community for ten years, and through her writing she educates, inspires, and empowers. How to Talk to Your…
July 30, 2005 Journal Entry: Dear Ian Viktor, Your father and I approach Moscow by air. It is a sunny and pleasant Saturday morning. I press my right cheek to the window of the airplane. The warmth of the sun feels good on my face as I close my eyes and think of you. I…
“I was so afraid of being seen as imperfect. What happens to imperfect things? They get sent back…” The above words were my reference of thought for much of my childhood life: you better be perfect or you might get sent back to foster care. I can recall, as a little girl, the panic I…