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Adoption

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random adoption chat

222 replies

Kewcumber · 28/11/2010 20:12

Didn;t want to start a new topic just for this but thought a mindless drivel thread might come in useful for snippets without satrting new threads...

DS is five tomorrow can you beleive it? Shock and I haven't broken him yet Shock. I think its his best birthday yet - isn't 5 a lovely age for Xmas and birthday. Have also managed to be too maudling and not wept into my coffee yet (maybe tomorrow).

OP posts:
hester · 10/12/2010 21:59

Mary, I have promised (and meant) that there will be contact. I still intend to honour that, for dd's sake. The dispute is over the timing - fc wanted it almost straight away, I want to wait till dd has been settled in for a few months, when she won't be confused about who she's going home with. fc thinks I'm just stringing her along, I suspect; she said to me once, "They [adoptive parents] all promise they'll keep in touch, but they never do."

Timing has been critical because of other issues I can't go into but basically are between the fc and social services, nothing to do with me, but which may affect her willingness to co-operate. Anyway, we've missed that boat.

Which brings me onto Kristingle's point. Blimey! That really shook me but I will definitely take on board your advice. After the last 2.5 years of smiling and complying, I guess a few more months won't kill me!

Many thanks, everyone.

maryz · 10/12/2010 22:17

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Kristingle · 11/12/2010 00:34

FWIW i am still in contact with DD1s lovely Fcs after 15 years. Maybe there is a reason why a-parentst don't keep in touch with this particular Fc Hmm Hmm

Lilka · 11/12/2010 11:00

I keep good contact with DD2's old fc's, and I send updates to DD1's old fc's as well, although less often. They were both amazing and i really couldn't bear to lose the contact, they are too important to DD's and important to me as well Xmas Smile

I actually think i spend quite a big portion of my life making updates for people, since altogether i am in contact with 15 of the 16 siblings (and their families) my kids have, as well as DD2 and DS bmum, andd a fantastic former teacher of DD2's. So that's 19 people altogether (although a few of the siblings are adopted together).

However, I am actually in a dilemma about a few contact bits at the moment, can i pick you brains? The 16th sibling i am not in contact with... was adopted as a baby. I was hoping to have a letter or two year going back and forth with lots of pictures etc, maybe more if it was right for both DD1 and this sibling later to see each other etc. That is what i always have done with all the other families. I send letters, pictures, videos, and we are going to organise visits with a couple of DD2's sibs next year. But the family who adopted this sibling didn't want any contact whatsoever with any of the brothers and sisters, none of us has heard anything from them ever, except me once when i asked sw to ask them about contact, and they sent a short letter back through the sw that basically they didn't see any need for any contact and this sib had already had a perfect start with them and didn't need to live life with any reminders whatsoever that she had ever lived anywhere else etc. They said more and it sounded to me like they wanted to forget about adoption altogether and couldn't care less about any of the rest of us Sad

So for well over a decade, total blank about what this sibling is doing, anything about them at all. And i have dd's questions therefore - she is so hurt and wants to know all about her younger sib, adn waht she likes doing, and all that. So just yesterday I typed this siblings name into facebook, and there they were! They must have had a profile for a few years, given their age, but obviously has just lapsed all the security settings. I am absolutely sure this is them, for a couple of reasons. The problem is, that if i have found profile, then DD1 soon will as well, sice i know she types this sibs name into searchengines nd fb in hope...so what do i say to her? I doubt she is going to want to wait until this sib is 18, then go through all the proper channels. i wish she would, but i think she will just try and friend them if she sees them there. Which would open up a whole can of worms im sure we can deal with better in a years time, when DD can get counselling if she makes a proper reunion request. So i am in doggy doo doo right now, for want of a better word Xmas Confused. Any advice?

On a positive note, i am organising festive season visits with tqwo of DD2's older sibs, who are lovely people, and they adore her, they like to spoil her rotten and they really care - tehy could listen to her chat about her life all day Xmas Smile So we are all counting down to the visits now!

Lilka · 11/12/2010 11:00

O jees, what an essay!.. sorry Xmas Grin

maryz · 11/12/2010 22:38

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Lilka · 11/12/2010 23:17

I find it very difficult to see this whole 'fresh start' thing if i'm honest.. my kids have had a fresh start as it were with me, whilst still keeping contact with their siblings..how could i deny them that ever?

Anyway, I have been thinking about this more today, and i think i'm going to have to talk to DD myself. She wants me to go round to her house this week anyway, so i will tell her that i found her sib.. she will find it herself if i don't tell her. My plan is to

  1. Go through all the ways of getting contact with sibling (she has about 4 different options) and give her some advice about what i think might be best
  2. And go through he reactions she might get from the parents and the sib herself, so she is prepared
  3. And let her know that i am there 100% whatever happens, and whatever she decides to do in the end, since it's her choice

Does that sound like a good plan to you??

maryz · 11/12/2010 23:22

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Lilka · 12/12/2010 09:00

Yes, it does make sense, when you look at it like that maryz, and she was adopted at a couple of months old Xmas Smile Added to that, she was a few years old by the time i adopted DD1, and sent a contact request to them.
Although ill never change my opinion that the best way to deal with adoption is never to minimize it (by which i mean dicourage conversation about it, and pretend that a child isn't adopted, and it sounds like thats what this other family have done to me from the letter they sent) Sad

Anyway, i'm going to phone DD1 later, and ask when i can come round (she'll never be up at this time in the morning Xmas Grin ) I'll update later...

Kewcumber · 12/12/2010 12:15

I get the "pretending thing" when they are first adopted (if they are little) - I was secretly thrilled to discover most people assumed DS was "mine" and that I must have an asian partner stashed somewhere. But surely you grow out of that and after you've got past the playing mumy stage and your child becomes more real to you (IYKWIM) you really want will make them stable, happy, content or whatever you aim for. I just can;t imagine knowing DS has a sibling out there and not wanting him to be aware of that and have contact if at all possible. In some ways I suspect from talking to friendsfamily who were adopted having sibling contact is in many ways easier that BP contact because I guess the lack of questions/guilt/resentment etc.

As I sometimes say to DS "well yes, you can pretend ... (insert fantasy of choice) if you like but you know that doesn't make it true don't you?. Perhaps you could say that to missing siblings parents Lilka? Grin

OP posts:
Lilka · 12/12/2010 12:41

Kew Xmas Grin

Well, I am actaully going around tonight Xmas Shock She has apparently found an amazing vegetarian nut roast recipe which she wants to try out before making it again at christmas for everyone... sounds quite yummy to me (I am veggie, as is DD2, and DD1 only rarely eats meat)

I asked her if we could sit down and chat about more serious things for a while..she said yes, and i think she's intrigued and a little apprehensive from the sound of her voice..she still doesn't like getting big news anything, but she can't cope not knowing it IYSWIM

So we'll see how that goes...

PositiveAttitude · 12/12/2010 17:50

Thinking of you Lilka, hope it all goes well. Xmas Smile

maryz · 12/12/2010 22:26

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Lilka · 12/12/2010 22:51

Oh Maryz that's fantastic Xmas Smile i really am happy for you

Too tired to report this evenings chat right now, it was very emotionally draining... but positive Xmas Smile

Off to bed i go with a hot water bottle and hot chocolate...

hester · 12/12/2010 23:28

Smile maryz

Just to say that i don't think I could ever pass off dd2 as biologically mine. Not only is she a different racial origin, but just ridiculously pretty. I stare at her and marvel at the neatness of her nose, her huge round eyes, her peachy skin... If only I could claim the credit!

Kewcumber · 12/12/2010 23:38

Ah Hester I think the same about DS ut you will be amazed atthe number of people who will assume she is biologocially yours. I don't care either way but I have been told that many transracial adoptees like the privacy that these assumptions give them.

Maryz - birthday celebrations sound worthy of celebrations! Is DS1 going ahead with the rehab he looked into (IIRC)

OP posts:
maryz · 12/12/2010 23:46

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EarthMotherImNot · 13/12/2010 06:58

Some of your posts make me so Angry

What right has the foster carer to keep life story stuffAngry

We always compile a photo album and memory box for each of our placements, they are usually the first things I pack when a lo is moving on.
Thats part of my "job" Its what I'm supposed to do.

And as for foster carers blackmailing to get contactAngry

We once, many years ago cared for a brother and sister who stayed for 2 years. Eventually they returned home and two very thick albums of photo's went with them.

These were photo's of holidays, first steps, riding a bike for the first time feeding the ducks and many many more happy memories.

The youngest child turned up at social services one day when she was 12 and told them no way was she going home. When they found her a foster carer this lady who vaguely knew me, rang and asked if, by any chance as it was so long ago, we had any photo's of the childs time with us.

I looked and found a few but told her that while she was welcome to them the children had both been sent home with full albums of photo's.

What she told me reduced me to tears. Apparently the day they got home the step-father took the books and ripped them to shreds in front of them. He told them to forget us, that they belonged to him nowSad

Lilka · 13/12/2010 07:44

oh EMIN Sad I don't know what to say. That's just horrible. All the kids came to me with photo albums etc., although i have no baby pictures of either girl - the youngest i have of DD1 is her coming into care, already school aged. But their fc's were amazing (and you sound exactly the same EMIN) Smile

PositiveAttitude · 13/12/2010 07:48

It was lovely to read your post Mary. Xmas Smile

EarthMotherImNot · 13/12/2010 08:13

Thank you LilkaSmile I must admit to quite murderous feelings towards the step-father, what an evil insecure man he was.

We also fostered a lo from a year old until she was almost 4.

I was asked what sort of family she'd like/be happy in and I gave social services my opinions ie: she was a tom-boy, loved to climb, would run for miles, ride a bike with ease and generally had a devil-may-care attitude to life. We adored her and wanted her new family to be well aware of who she was.

Sigh....social services placed with a family of strict frequent (every day) church goers who's idea of climbing stopped at the stairs at bed-time.

Within a year she was back with us the placement having broken downSad

When I unpacked her things there were boxes and boxes of frilly dresses and shiny shoes, not one pair of jeans or trainers.

Oh and at the top of one box was the ceramic name plate they had attached to her bedroom door. They'd even gone to the trouble of prising this off the door leaving i suppose no trace of her in their lives.

God I could make your hair curl, maybe there's a book in me somewhereHmm

maryz · 13/12/2010 08:47

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EarthMotherImNot · 13/12/2010 09:34

Thanks marySmile

I always love to hear from my babies families, either by letter or phone call or, if I'm really lucky, a visit now and again. It seems to validate that I've done a good job.

I try to keep any little scrap that comes with them, ID bracelets from hospital, the first outfit they arrive in. A tiny hat or socks, any little thing.

We also have a tradition with "our" babies that if they are with us for Christmas we buy a tree ornament specifically for them. We often have these engraved with the year and their name if possible.

This also goes with them, hopefully to begin a tradition in their new family.

I always crochet a cot blanket and just before they leave I spray it ever so lightly with my perfume.

Silly perhaps but I like to think that it comforts them their first nights away from us.

PositiveAttitude · 13/12/2010 15:18

EarthMother, what you do sounds absolutely lovely. Well done you!! Xmas Smile
A little different from DD4 being literally thrown at us in an airport with a bag of rags clothes and us being hurried onto the plane because it was late. She didn't even know what we were saying to her as she had no understanding of a word of English.

hester · 13/12/2010 21:09

Hi EMIN, I love reading your posts too. I should add that I cannot fault my dd's fc for the love and care she gave her. I don't suppose she was faultless - none of us are - but I am deeply, deeply grateful for her for the love she smothered on a little girl who was desperately in need of it. Throughout, I have worked very hard to keep separate in my head how the fc has treated me (which hasn't always been great) and how she has treated my dd (which has been fantastic - up until this issue which I think is a twisted expression of her continuing love and concern).

All these stories point to a common issue, don't they? How difficult it is for adults to separate out their own needs, and how they express their love through care and control, and the needs of these children. dd's fc was a great fc up until the point where she was required to step out of a parental role. I'm not going to back out of my promise to keep up contact unless and until it becomes clear that she is continuing to struggle with that.