Placing a child for adoption is a difficult choice. Depending on the type of adoption, it can mean giving up contact with the child and their adoptive family entirely. At least until that child is no longer a minor, that is. Georgia has a registry that makes it possible for children who were placed for adoption to look for their birth families if they choose to register with it. If you were a birth mother who did that and are now facing the prospect of and adoption reunion, preparing for your meeting can help things go more smoothly. We’re hoping that with this blog post, we can provide you with helpful suggestions for adoption reunion preparation.
Expect to Feel Strong Emotions
Adoption fills everyone involved with powerful emotions. Those emotions can run across the spectrum, from loss and sorrow to hope and joy. You may find yourself feeling a mix of strong emotions, both positive and negative, you prepare for your reunion. You may even feel them during the reunion itself. Your child is likely having a similar experience. Knowing this in advance won’t stop you from feeling them, but it can help you avoid being blindsided by them and allowing them to negatively impact the experience.
Be Aware of The Possibilities
There are tons of ways your reunion could go. It’s important to understand what those possibilities are so you can be prepared for any of them. Your child may want to build a relationship with you. They may be hurt, upset, and looking for answers that no one else can give them. They may feel confident or anxious. You may feel many of those things yourself. Think about how to respond to those strong emotions. You may find that practicing some of the things you might say helps take the edge off your nerves and makes it easier to speak from a place of calmness and confidence.
Practice Patience
Speaking of practice, patience is a must at this meeting, so practice it. One adoption reunion may not turn into a full-blown relationship overnight, though all reunions do have the potential to build into that. You’ll have the better part of 20 years or more to catch up on. That takes time and again, patience. Take time to get to know your child as the person they’ve grown into and don’t rush things. Let them build naturally at their own pace. It’s hard to overstress the importance of being patient.
An adoption reunion can be a life-changing opportunity for both you and your child. It’s a chance to reconnect with each other after a lifetime of separation. Where you choose to go from there is between the two of you. Remember, you can always reach out for professional help if you need some care and support in the days leading up to your adoption reunion.
Do you have questions about Georgia’s Adoption Reunion Registry? An Open Door Adoption has answers! Click here for more information about the registry.