Birth Mother Matters in Adoption 17: A Little Self-Esteem Can Go A Long Way

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Season 2: 137:  Biological Grandparents Role in the Adoption Process What roles can Birth Grandparents play in an adoption plan? The “birth grandparents” are direct lineage to the adopted child, their medical history and social history matter to both the adoptee, the Aps and the birth parents.  They are more than just an extension of the BPs they can contribute the following: Be a source of support for the Birth Parentss, especially when discussing the adoption plan with family and friendsBe a voice of reason when or if the Birth Parents struggle with their adoption choiceSupport the Birth Parents in making choices regarding the adoption plan Assist in choosing an Adoptive FamilyWhat type of a PACACreating the Hospital PlanBe the Birth Parents’ Emergency contactCome to the hospital when the Birth Mother goes into labor, comfort and support. You can never have too many grandparents!

6 Tammi 202125min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption, Season 2,  Episode 136: Adoption Matters; 2020 A Year in Review Take a walk back with us as we review 2020 in the adoption world. Looking back at 2020, we discuss all the factors that played into successful and unsuccesfful adoption outcomes.  We look at the status of the Paul Peterson case.  We look at where the abortion laws stand today.  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: Azadoptpodcast Happy New Year!!!!!!

29 Joulu 202021min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Season 2, Ep. 135: The CHRISTMAS EPISODE Remember to: Give yourself and your family grace regarding phone calls/skypes and facetime since COVID-19  has prevented so many families get together.Avoiding holiday parties and get togethers is the best idea for a newborn for many reasons- and COVID-19 adds another layer!Relish in the small things.Make little special memory holiday crafts (ornaments in honor of this year.)Newborns do not have memories of the holidays and can only see them through pictures- so take a lot!Having a newborn is a great excuse to do only the things you want to do. Most importantly make memories and document: pictures/videos/ journaling/etc…When cleaning or bringing in new items- use the old adage- in with new- out with the old.  (Remember to DONATE)If friends or family members ask for Christmas ideas- suggest things like donations to a college fund for new baby or a maybe a CD to be used towards college.

22 Joulu 202019min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption  S 2 Ep.134: Choosing CPS/DCS Over Adoption- P2 When making the choice to work with DCS, Birth Mothers may be given the opportunity to participate in services to rectify the issue that brought their baby into the state’s care and custody.   The Department of Child Safety Reunification Plan may include the following depending on the birth mother’s circumstances for the state’s involvement: treatment services to help the Birth Mother obtain and maintain a sober lifestyle that will allow/permit for a safe environment in which for the baby to reside.Random drug screeningRandom home visitsA stable and safe housing situationA safety monitorSupervised visits with her babyParenting Classes

18 Joulu 202022min

When experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, sometimes there may not be a favorable option.  These two paths are quite different journeys and understandably can present a difficult decision. For some women, after delivering their baby they must choose between private adoption or placing their baby in the care and custody of  Department of Child Safety (in some states this entity is referred to as Child Protective Services.) In some instances, Birth Mothers make the decision to work with the Department of Child Safety (DCS), while other Birth Mother continue their private adoption plan. The reasons behind their choices may vary for each Birth Mother. Some of the topics we will be discussing over these two podcasts include the following: Why would a birth mother who has made an adoption plan, chose an adoptive family and has been in the adoption program for a good amount of time- choose DCS?What are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing DCS over an existing or non-existing adoption plan?What can be done to try to avoid the DCS intervention from disrupting the adoption plan?Why does DCS get involved when there is an adoption plan in place?Can DCS place with the adoptive family that was matched with the birth mother if she chooses DCS?

15 Joulu 202023min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Season 2, 132: The Profile of a Birth Father Some interesting things that the public may not understand or be aware of regarding birth fathers: We see repeat birth fathers with different birth mothers at different times.Birth fathers can have access to many adoption services, but rarely engage: CounselingCommunication with the Adoptive ParentsDevelop an independent relationship with the adoptive familySign Adoption ConsentsDevelop a Post Adoption Communication Agreement with the adoptive familyBirth fathers can have a significant influence over whether a birth mother follows through in her adoption plan.Birth fathers need to feel a part of the process and treated with respect and may not have as much knowledge of how adoption works as a birth mother may.  Educating a birth father may increase his cooperation and support with the birth mother.Birth fathers may be reluctant/uncomfortable with the adoption process for the following reasons: Sometimes they fear it looks like a failure on their part to provide for their BM or childThey don’t know how to explain the process to friends and familyThey may have other children with other women who did not place their child for adoptionThey may fear that the BM may not stay with them after the adoption finalizesThey aren’t sure if they baby is theirs and they do not want to parent if the baby is not theirs.

11 Joulu 202029min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Season 2, #131: Birth Mother Expenses Both adoptive parent and birth parents have many questions surrounding birth parent funding.  This podcast will address birth parent expenses and what an adoption agency or adoption attorney in the State of Arizona is allowed to disburse to a birth mother.  This podcast is geared to the laws for Arizona State only, however for those living in a state with alternative laws, this will give you insight into why, what, how, when and so forth; thereby offering an in depth understanding of the rules, regulations, and practices of birth parent expenses. First and foremost, birth parents pay zero fees for their adoption services. Ultimately, adoptive families are the funding source for birth parents, while the adoption agency may undergird the birth parents initial expenses. All birth parents may not financially qualify for financial assistance with their living expenses, but regardless they pay no fees.  The formula is calculated by our legal department and they determine how much funding the birth parents are allowed to receive. Living expenses need to be related to the pregnancy, which is why birth father’s expenses are not included.  The presumption is that he does not have the medical condition of pregnancy.

8 Joulu 202020min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Season 2, 130: Being the Bearer of Bad Tidings Sometimes in the adoption world, we have to deliver bad news.   No one likes to be the bearer of bad news.  One of the reason is they are the ones to catch the brunt of the bad news, regardless of whether it is within their control or not.  The concerns of the deliverer of bad news really focus on: How to manage their own anxietyHow deliver the news without altering or impairing the news, while making sure they do the best they can and harm the recipient the least: TimingMethodSupportLocationWord precisionFollow-up Listen to one of our own at Building Arizona Families, Adoptive Parent Case Manager, Sarah discuss how she assists families when she has to deliver bas news and how she processes and prepares for it herself.  No one loves the messenger who brings bad news.--Sophocles

4 Joulu 202028min