Through the years the face of adoption has changed. Years past, open adoption didn’t even exist. For those birth mothers, adoptees, and adoptive parents, reunification is a sweet opportunity. Those who have had experiences with both open and closed adoption most often will shout the praises of open adoption. When it comes to healing for the birth mother, it seems to be a much more productive and joyful situation when they are able to be a part of the adoptive family’s lives. The birth mothers in this panel talk of their feelings of being “cheated” from not having a relationship with the adoptive family. “It’s not about trying to replace [the parents],” says one birth mother. Instead, it’s a desire to watch the family and joy at the life their child has been given.
