Birth Mother Matters Podcast S2, Ep200: November is National Adoption Month

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption, S2, Ep145: Adoption VS DCS Listen to a former Department of Child Safety worker to understand what happens when a birth mother has an adoption plan and DCS (Department of Child Safety), formally known as CPS (Child Protective Services) arrives at the hospital and tells the birth mother that the state is going to take custody if the birth mother does not complete her adoption plan and place her baby for adoption.  This is her opinion, her viewpoint and gives her stance. Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved.  Additionally, We have made every reasonable effort to present accurate information on our podcast, however, we are not liable for any inaccurate information as this information was obtained by a sole individual.

9 Feb 202118min

Birth  Mother Matters in Adoption, S2, Ep. 144  : What I Wish I Had Known... Take a look back with us as we walk down the road of 16 years of working in the adoption community.  Listen to the lessons we have been taught and how we have grown as adoption social workers.  Learn more about understanding birth parents and adoptive families.

6 Feb 202125min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption (BMMIA) Podcast S2, Ep. 143: Reunification From the Adoptive Family's Perspective Our co-host, Kelly's Rourke-Scarry's adoptive parents open up about their thoughts, feelings and experiences when she reunited with her birth mother.   Listen to one family's experience with adoption reunification.  Learn about how their adult daughter reunfied with her birth mother and biolgical brothers.  Learn more about what adult adoption reunfication is really like and one family's journey. Birth Mother Matters in Adoption, giving adoption a voice.

2 Feb 202121min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Podcast Season 2 Episode 142: Reunification, My Story I was born in 1973 and placed for adoption prviately.  My adoption was a closed adoption.  I looked to find my birth mother and was sucessfully reunited in 2007.  Listen as I talk about what that was like, how it felt and what I have learned.  Adoption reunifications can be as different as snowflakes and adoptees or birth parents may have different reasons for wanting to reunify, but there is still one commonality: connection. Connection,  whether it be for learning more about your family medical history, to "find yourself", to learn about your heritage, to develop and have a relationship is still wanted to join.  Join me as we discuss my story which may educate others about what adoption reunifcation is really like.

29 Jan 202129min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Podcast Season 2 Ep.141: Factors That Can Prevent Someone From Adopting    Not every person who wants to be an adoptive parent will be qualified or eligible to adopt.  The way eligibility is determined is through the adoption home study process.  Every state has their own individual requirements to be eligible to adopt.  In this podcast we are going to focus on the specificities of Arizona Adoption Home Studies  In the state of Arizona, adoption home studies are governed by the Arizona Revised Statutes.  The State of Arizona requires that your home study social worker spend at least 4 hours with you face-to-face during a minimum of 2 visits. At least 2 of these hours must be spent in your home.   During this process, adoptive parents may need to provide: Court Issued Marriage Licenses and Divorce DecreesPrevious Year’s Tax Return5 Letters of Reference (2 from family, 3 from friends)An AutobiographyCPS ClearanceFingerprint ClearanceAdoption EducationMarriage License – (if applicable) Divorce Decree(s) – (if applicable) Military Discharge(s) – (if applicable)More Factors that may influence the ability for someone to adopt:  Felony Conviction- Adoption is prohibited for any person who has been convicted of felony child abuse or neglect, drugs or alcohol abuse, or domestic violence.DishonestySignificant Medical and or Mental Health Issues that could impede the ability to parentListen to learn more

26 Jan 202119min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Podcast Season 2; Ep. 140: Sharing Fatherhood “It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons.”– Johann Friedrich von Schiller Birth fathers may be an important part of the adoption; whether they are directly or indirectly involved is their choice.  Birth fathers have their own feelings, thoughts and emotions regarding the adoption of their baby.  There are both similarities and differences in sharing fatherhood between the birth father and the adoptive father. The open adoption relationship between the birth father and adoptive father may be influenced by external and internal factors.  "Dad and I had the closest, most intimate relationship. We acted alike. We had the same interests ... he had so much love for me." – The late president Gerald Ford describing his relationship with his adoptive father.

22 Jan 202129min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Podcast Season 2 Ep. 139:  Sharing Motherhood Sharing motherhood between two women is something that can be extremely hard to conceptualize or accept.  When a woman chooses to make an adoption plan, she selflessly chooses to share her role as a mother with an adoptive mother.  This choice is an incredible one.  Sharing motherhood is an incredibly complicated concept; internal and external factors can influence a birth mother and an adoptive mother’s view or stance on their ability to share motherhood.  This podcast discusses both the internal and external factors that come into play and how a positive relationship can be established and maintained,

20 Jan 202128min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Podcast 138: Why Choosing Adoption for an Unplanned Pregnancy May Be Benefit A Birth Mother’s Other Biological Children Choosing adoption for an unplanned pregnancy is one thing when you do not have other children to consider, but another when you do. Choosing adoption in these cases may benefit your other children in ways you may not even realize. If you are pregnant and currently struggling to provide the necessary items for your children on a daily basis, bringing another child into your life could push you further behind finaicially and make it more difficult for you to provide the necessary items. This struggle could be both  financial but also could be emotional as well.  Adoption is a  choice and this podcast outlines the benefits for the other biological children in the home.

12 Jan 202116min