Celebrating all mothers
Mother’s Day can be a hard day for many women. Many people find themselves with deep longing on this day. Maybe a longing for a mother who they have lost, a longing to become a mother, or in the case of many birth mothers – a longing for the child who they placed in another mother’s arms. This can be intimidating for those of us who have not placed a child for adoption to think about. It is unfamiliar, and may make us uncomfortable as we navigate how to enter into it. Some may wonder, “Does this birth mother’s longing make …
Reflections on our birthmother retreat
by Kristen Burke Birthmother Counselor I attended my first birthmother retreat in April. One of my favorite activities of the weekend was the bonfire the first night. While bonfires are of course fun and filled with laughter and s’mores, this one served a greater purpose. The women participating in the retreat come and sit in semi-darkness, and share their stories. Often, they start off timidly, not sure how much to share. Once they start talking they begin to draw courage from one another and to speak with freedom as they realize this is a safe, non-judgmental place. The ladies who share …
“am I the only one?”
By Jennifer Adams Birthmother Counselor Would it help if I told you that you are not alone? There are other women out there just like you. It’s true. We frequently hear from women who believe the lie, “you are the only one.” Yet the truth is, there are women all over the country — all over Georgia, and even where you live — who have made the hard choice to place a child for adoption. These women are at different stages of their stories. Some birthmothers you meet will openly share their stories of placing a child for adoption. She will show you pictures …
Does anyone even want my baby?
by Katie McGee Adoptive Family Counselor I have learned countless lessons and loads of information since my first day as an employee at Covenant Care. One of the most surprising things I’ve learned is how often the pregnant women we serve ask, “Is there anyone who wants to adopt my baby?” As both a counselor who serves couples hoping to adopt and as an adoptive parent myself, this question always shocks me. If you are one of those women asking that question, may I speak to you for a moment? I am sorry that you have found yourself in a situation that …
An open letter to birthmothers at Christmas
Dear Birthmother, It’s Christmastime and perhaps this is your first Christmas as a birthmother, your 30th, or somewhere in between or beyond. Wherever you are in your journey, I know as a birthmother myself that Christmas doesn’t pass without thoughts of the child you placed for adoption. Where is she? Is she having fun? What are his family’s Christmas traditions? Is he thinking of me, too? I wonder if we will ever spend Christmas together? Whether you have completely come to terms with your adoption experience, are sharing in the Christmas festivities with the adoptive family, or feel like you’re being …
Judgment or love?
By Lisa Tweed Birthmother Counselor Recently I had the privilege of working with a young lady who was making an adoption plan. She had found herself in a relationship that was not sustainable and it became clear to her that parenting was not the best option for her. It was soon discovered the birthfather had misled her, lied to her, and had manipulated the situation. As I spoke to him over the phone the lies became clear and his original story unraveled. I had two thoughts; the first was to react in anger and call him out on all of …
Freedom from shame
by Jennifer Adams Birthmother Caseworker As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone (Luke 8:42b-43). Imagine the scene: Jesus is traveling from place to place, and though there are no cell phones, word travels fast. It’s hard to keep news of a disease-healing, demon-controlling carpenter’s son from passing from well to well. The crowds wanted in and they would follow him to see him in action. On this …
The many emotions of mother’s day
Mother’s Day evokes a range of emotions unlike any other day on the calendar. For some it’s a day of great joy. For others it is marked by grief, regret or sadness. For women suffering through infertility or grieving the loss of a child, it’s a painful day. For birthmothers who have placed a child for adoption, it’s often a bittersweet time. For those who are in the midst of parenting, it’s a day to rejoice in the gift of children and of motherhood. Covenant Care is a ministry that speaks to women across this spectrum. To the infertile couple longing …
An interview with birthmother amber
Amber made an adoption plan through Covenant Care and talked about her experience with her caseworker, Jennifer Adams. A video of the interview is available here. Covenant Care: What were your circumstances at the time you decided to make an adoption plan? Amber: I was in between a move. I knew what I wanted to do but didn’t know how to go about it. I had heard horror stories about DFCS. I wanted to keep [my baby girl] but knew we weren’t in a place where we could provide for her. I felt that people want a child so why not give …
A birthmother’s love: the love that lets go
By Lisa Tweed Birthmother Caseworker My heart was full of emotions as I drove home from my first placement ceremony last Friday. I joined Covenant Care in 2016 and have worked with a number of women in that time; this was the first of my clients whom I was able to serve through the entire process from first phone call to adoption placement. There was so much wrapped up in making it possible for that little guy to meet his forever family! I had the privilege of being there for his birth and was asked to cut the cord. I quickly …