[adoptionblessings]

If you are an adoptee, birth mother or birth father, adoptive parent, foster parent share what topics, articles, or other things you would find informative, helpful, inspiring in a magazine focused on Adoption. Would you desire a magazine geared toward the adoption triad- all sides of adoption? Or would you enjoy a magazine geared towards adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents? Would you desire a Christian publication or one that would share ones faith journey in adoption or have this as a column in the publication or a devotional?
Open to column suggestions for an Adoption Magazine.
Thanks for sharing and any input!!
I am in the process of seeking input for the adoption publication, Adoption Blessings that I have published 9 issues since 2001- a 20 page free outreach publication.

[BonnieSayers]

As a birth mother I would like to see a magazine geared to the whole triad, spotlighting each for a specific issue with key articles and then touching on the other issues in monthly or regular columns.
I would like to see articles on how adoption has changed over the years. Do a story from each representative on the triad from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and current times to see the changes over the time period.

I gave my son up in 1978 and have never had any contact. This was done with Catholic Charities and it would be nice to read a step-by-step plan on how to go finding the birth child, obtain a birth certificate, write a letter for the file or prepare to find them as an adult.k The costs associated in all this would be nice and then maybe categorized by state with listed resources and numbers to contact.
Bonnie Sayers
http://autismspectrumdisorders.bellaonline.com

[adoptionblessings]

Thanks Bonnie for your good suggestions- and appreciate insights from a birth mother. Thanks for taking the time and I hope more will share what content would interest them in an adoption magazine.
Blessings to you! Jody Moreen

[Poleczech]

I think I would prefer a magazine that represented all sides of the triad, as I really want to learn about the same issue from different perspectives -- I think it helps to be able to work through something, especially a difficult issue, when you can see another's point of view. Often, we only see things from our perspectives and just can't understand why someone is behaving the way they do because we don't know what their perspective even is. For example, the feelings of loss associated with adoption, I think, is a big issue that all too often is only seen from one perspective, but when we stop and think that the other two sides of the triad all experience some form of loss, perphaps we can all help each other to work through those feelings and move on to a happier, healthier place in our lives. I also like the suggestion of the previous poster about articles of how things have changed over the decades. Also, perhaps you have articles explaining the difference between open, semi-open and closed and the positive and negatives of each type.

[adoptionblessings]

Thanks so much Cheryl for your input and suggestions. I have worked as an adoption triad support group leader for nearly 12 years in Indiana and for the past 8 and 1/2 years in Illinois. I have gleaned SO much from listening and learning from all 3 sides of adoption. It helped me better understand my adoption and the roles my birth parents and adoptive parents played and emotions and circumstances they went through. Also I could more fully understand about the difference in society in the 1950's regarding unplanned pregnancies- and the social stigma women went through. Birth parents had much pressure to relinquish children for adoption and had few to little options or support to parent their babies. I have met many adoptees through the years who sadly misunderstand or interpret their adoption to be "rejection" And if they knew little to nothing about their adoption story , and/or did not know how things were in "society" years ago, they could feel rejected. For a majority of girls/young women faced with unplanned pregnancies today chose abortion or parenting their child- less and less today chose adoption. So adoptees who don't know how judgmental society and families were years ago, can really struggle with "Why couldn't my birth parents keep me?" It was quite impossible years ago to chose that option especially if young and without funds or resources of support.
I would lean towards continuing to publish an adoption triad publication for I think it gives the "whole picture" and education about adoption in the most balance way.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Jody