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I was adopted by a family that already had a son. Apparently my adopted father didn't want to have any more kids. But she was able to persuade him to get a foster kid for awhile. Then they adopted me. Then they adopted another older kid. The natural son was about 9 years older than me. The other adopted, 2 years older than him.
Basically my earliest memories at about 5 of were my parent arguing in their room. They would shut the door, but we could still hear them from the living room. I remember my father saying over and over again, "Get off my back." By the time I was 7, they were divorced. A few years later, I was the only child in the house with the angriest (though non-violent) person I've ever met. I lived in terror of her for years, the simple look on her face could make even hardened convicts cringe.
Well I never really became hardened, but I did get into drugs, become much more familiar with the police and eventually did get locked up for a couple of years. So therapy as a teenager, then 7 months of rehab after being locked up, and AA/NA for years afterward. And probably some sort of anxiety disorder made worse as of 2007 when my adopted mother passed away from cancer. (and if anybody has any happy stories to tell about Xanax I'd love to hear them) Oh yeah, and for a time a rather pronounced anger problem of my own, though it's died down to smouldering embers in recent years. My adopted father passed away a few years before her, so I'm figuring that now is as good a time as any to find the birthparents.
I'm kind of wondering how well this kind of story is going to be received should I find and contact my birthmother. I guess I will have to only break it to her if she REALLY wants to hear it.
ulfsark
I was adopted by a family that already had a son. Apparently my adopted father didn't want to have any more kids. But she was able to persuade him to get a foster kid for awhile. Then they adopted me. Then they adopted another older kid. The natural son was about 9 years older than me. The other adopted, 2 years older than him.
Basically my earliest memories at about 5 of were my parent arguing in their room. They would shut the door, but we could still hear them from the living room. I remember my father saying over and over again, "Get off my back." By the time I was 7, they were divorced. A few years later, I was the only child in the house with the angriest (though non-violent) person I've ever met. I lived in terror of her for years, the simple look on her face could make even hardened convicts cringe.
Well I never really became hardened, but I did get into drugs, become much more familiar with the police and eventually did get locked up for a couple of years. So therapy as a teenager, then 7 months of rehab after being locked up, and AA/NA for years afterward. And probably some sort of anxiety disorder made worse as of 2007 when my adopted mother passed away from cancer. (and if anybody has any happy stories to tell about Xanax I'd love to hear them) Oh yeah, and for a time a rather pronounced anger problem of my own, though it's died down to smouldering embers in recent years. My adopted father passed away a few years before her, so I'm figuring that now is as good a time as any to find the birthparents.
I'm kind of wondering how well this kind of story is going to be received should I find and contact my birthmother. I guess I will have to only break it to her if she REALLY wants to hear it.
It seems so simple sometimes. I thought the information was there I just chose to ignore it. Depending on the poilitics of your state . . .I believe it goes parralel with Reb state, Blue state lines it might be easy. I was determined and a small slip up in a department I called brought about all the information I was told I could not recieve. Now I have the information, I know where she is at, WTF now?
I did speak with my dad some and we both tried to make it as comfortable as possible. My story was more fascinating to me and the history of my birth family I uncovered. I don't know if I have told this story on here but as I spoke to my dad he told me a story.
A few things first, the attorney was my god father and we were real close. His secretary at the time was going to law school, She had a daughter about my age. When i was about 5 his secretary shot and killed herself. My dad said he had the paper work in to adopt the daughter of the secretary. I mean WOW! A child at 5 that has a potential to be mentally messed up, they were going to take in . . .The grandparents ended up taking custody of the daughter. That made me realize just how wonderful these people were who took me in!
Not to sound like the others on here being all upbeat and all. This is a journey and it is soul searching. Don't rush your journey, take it all in. It sounds like your adoptive parents were great people! If you want to involve them, involve them on your own time . . .get some information and tell them when you feel like you should or you are at a dead end. Telling them can be one of the hardest things for you to do. In my experience it opened up a whole new chapter. I hope you have the feeling that i have of the sacrifice and selfless things they did for me. Believe me I didn't feel this before the search and I feel me and my father are closer now because of it.
All I'm saying is the first step for me didn't involve telling my adoptive parents.
This soul searching journey for me so far has been actually an eye opening experience that I have cherished and met some really good people.
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Heard it all, not uncommon, it's pretty much what happened in our case. I can only hope it helped to find out who/where we are. We love him & hope for the best.
Made me feel for him, & feel guilty, but I accept him as he is, as my son, whether he feels he is or not.
Pretty much what we found out, except for ages, we were glad to know him, sorry he had had problems, felt guilty, but accept as is. Love him as my son, whether he feels he is mine or not. His family loves him, even w/their problems. He probably loves them, too, whether he admits it or not. If you meet her, tell her basics first, see how it's going, but if you want her to know, go ahead!
ulfsark
I was adopted by a family that already had a son. Apparently my adopted father didn't want to have any more kids. But she was able to persuade him to get a foster kid for awhile. Then they adopted me. Then they adopted another older kid. The natural son was about 9 years older than me. The other adopted, 2 years older than him.
Basically my earliest memories at about 5 of were my parent arguing in their room. They would shut the door, but we could still hear them from the living room. I remember my father saying over and over again, "Get off my back." By the time I was 7, they were divorced. A few years later, I was the only child in the house with the angriest (though non-violent) person I've ever met. I lived in terror of her for years, the simple look on her face could make even hardened convicts cringe.
Well I never really became hardened, but I did get into drugs, become much more familiar with the police and eventually did get locked up for a couple of years. So therapy as a teenager, then 7 months of rehab after being locked up, and AA/NA for years afterward. And probably some sort of anxiety disorder made worse as of 2007 when my adopted mother passed away from cancer. (and if anybody has any happy stories to tell about Xanax I'd love to hear them) Oh yeah, and for a time a rather pronounced anger problem of my own, though it's died down to smouldering embers in recent years. My adopted father passed away a few years before her, so I'm figuring that now is as good a time as any to find the birthparents.
I'm kind of wondering how well this kind of story is going to be received should I find and contact my birthmother. I guess I will have to only break it to her if she REALLY wants to hear it.
At the moment i'm doing a major assignment on adoption and i'm very interested in it. I have made an online survey and need as many adoptees and adopted parents as I can to fill out the survey for me.
It is completely annonymous and is only 10 short questions.
This is the link to the adoptee survey:
[url=http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FCQ76MQ]Adoptee Survey[/url]
This is the link to the adoptive parents survey:
[url=http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FJBSVG8]Adoptive Parents Survey[/url]
I would really really appreciate as many responses as possible.
Thanks.
How are these adoption agencies sending kids into dysfunctional homes? Do they not do any background on the adoptive parents and such?
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Be honest. Secrecy will only complicate things. Tell them you have had treatment and try to explain why you became addicted etc. Hopefully they will be understanding. It sounds like you are aware of the possibility that they might be cautious but if you are up front from the beginning the relationship will be solid. If the reunion causes emotional turmoil and it usually does they and you need to be prepared for that. Take things one step at a time. You can't change the past but you can change your behaviour from now on. Take care and good luck.