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I have 3 amazing children from 3 seperate very open adoptions. Our latest was from birthparents who didn't get along, their families even more so. My first 2 open adoptions (ages 2 and 4 now) are all relatively comfortable and smooth (well as much as they can be). My delima is with our latest adoption (about 9 months old)...
Abbreviated version:
The Birthmom's (I'll call her A) family was the one who was pursueing the open adoption. The Birthdad's (I'll call him B) family was resisting it. While we were just all starting to get to know each other our son was born 3.5 weeks early. B was not comfortable with the plan so he didn't agree to the adoption forcing A to parent. During this time A's mom was contacting me telling me they were trying to make B and his family realize that adoption would be the far more pleasant route for everyone. A few weeks later B changed his mind and we ended up moving forward with the adoption plan and brought our son home when he was 2.5 wks old. Move forward a few weeks and we are home with our son and A & B come for a visit for the weekend (which was a very nice weekend we thought). B contacts after letting us know how much better he feels about everything having seen our family and the environment our son was being raised in. A leaves and doesn't respond to my texts but sends texts refering to "MY SON" (her words) and generally negative in general, she needs to talk to me, etc... I find out she is inquiring about reversing the adoption. She says she wants to come visit again and I let her know we need to be able to have a conversation about everything first, but after that she can come (she didn't know I knew about the reversing of the adoption at this point). She basically never responds or achnoledges me again after this. About a month later I get a very nasty email from her mom telling me how cruel I am being to her daughter, how I conned her into the adoption, how they discussed that my children will never feel my love based on how I could treat her, etc... I respond that I've sent her a picture of the baby everyday since we brought him home along with updates, we welcomed her into our home and how she is still welcome if we can have a civil conversation regarding things (I do have 2 older adopted children I need to shield from all this drama) After this, her whole extended family who had been friendly and open until now completely stopped responding to me or achnoledging us on facebook. I get A's reaction, her grief entails strong feelings of anger, denial, regret, fear, etc... They are also very mad because I think they thought they would have some level of control in B and his families involvement, but I won't let them control my relationship with other people and I won't get in the middle of their fight. We visited (a 5 hour drive each way but my daughters birthfamily lives there also) them around christmas and A had my husband (they love him) come over by himself with the baby. We went again last month and he went again by himself with just our son. I am totally fine with this (more so than my husband) because I don't want to hang out with these people that act like I conned them into the adoption. A's family and friends even all still call him by his birthname, not the name we gave him. So this is about where my delima is... The extended family who was so quick to snub me is starting to warm up to me for whatever reason and I'm not really sure how to react to them. I totally get A and her grief stricken 18 yr old girl reaction. I don't get her adult family members acting the same way. The whole reason we can be so open in all our other 5 birthfamily relationships is that we are all nice to each other and treat each other with respect. These people have treated me with no respect, have been the most insulting people I have ever dealt with and then expected me to listen to their demands out of "gratitude" (A's moms words not mine). I have corresponded with A's extended family more recently and am always polite and accomidating but as things move forward I am not sure how to deal with this family.... Suck it up (which I'm inclinded to do and hope this isn't a pattern) or or stick up for myself and not tolerate the disrespect if our relationships move forward (which I would do with anyone else).
I'd love some insight from anyone on this since I struggle with what I think I should do and what I want to do...
wow! tough situation.
I can empathize with the B-family trying to suck you into to drama. I deal with this by completely refusing to engage. personally, i'd ignore any dramatic type contact from anyone - including the BM.
I'd stick to logistics of the visitation and updates. You have no visibility into that famiy's intra-family dynamics.. what the BM told her mom, etc. There's no way to determine who's being nutty. Much better to stay out of it, imo
good luck
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Thanks! I originally had stepped away from the drama and thats what innitiated the strong reaction from the birthmom. I guess for my long term sanity I will just need to continue and hold them at arms legnth while honoring our OA agreement.... I appreciate the feedback :)
While stepping back and not becoming a part of the drama is a good thing, WE as the PARENT of the child must stick up for ourselves & OUR child.
I had an issue where the birth mother kept referring to my son by his birth name instead of his given name. I addressed the issue by telling her that his name is QUINN not XYZ and that it wouldn't be fair to him to confuse him by calling him something other then his LEGAL name.
Because emotions run so high on both ends the birth-parents/familes loose focus on the important issue... THE CHILD. We as "The Parents" have to stand our grounds and do what ever we need to do to protect our child and family.
You do what you feel is best for your family and don't worry about offending, because bottom line is what is best for the child not the birth family.
Sorry if that sounds harsh, but sometimes we have to be in order to keep boundries in place with an open adoption.
Be stong... it will get easier (I hope)
Wow thanks!! I actually had to do just that when the birthmom's mom posted a happy 1st birthday message to my son using the name on the original birth certificate on my facebook wall for all my friends to see. I deleted the post and politely let them know why. I got alot of backlash from them, but the support I am receiving gives me confidence that I did the right thing.... I try to be there for the birthmom as much as possible, but that doesn't mean I have to cower to their anger either.