Happy Birth Mother’s Day!
By Sylvie Christen
Here at Adoption Choices of Colorado, we believe in celebrating birth mothers every day. Yet, Saturday, May 13, is extra special because it is National Birth Mother’s Day! Many people aren’t even aware that it exists. However, this May, we celebrate the selfless women who choose to give up their child for adoption. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and need help in creating an adoption plan, please, contact us today! We are available 24/7 for assistance with adoption in Colorado and beyond.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
What is Birth Mother’s Day?
Of course, everyone has a birth mother. Most people celebrate their moms on the second Sunday of May, but Birth Mother’s Day was created for families who look a little different. Families who came together via adoption agencies. Specifically, it celebrates the women who made the courageous choice to place a child for adoption.
History of Birth Mother’s Day
The holiday was first celebrated by a group of women in Seattle in 1990. These women, led by Mary Jean Wolch-Marsh, wanted to create a day to recognize and uplift one another. Back then, adoption was not as widely accepted as it is now. Many women faced shaming from a public that did not acknowledge their bravery. Today, more people are aware of the adoption process and educated on its benefits. Birth mothers, families, and children all over the world can connect either online or in person and bond over shared experiences.
What is the Purpose of Celebrating Birth Mothers on this Day?
Unfortunately, adoption today is not as normalized as it should be. Many women still are looked down upon for giving up their babies for adoption and told they are “giving up.” The aim of Birth Mother’s Day is both to strengthen bonds between families and to educate the public. Even if they are not involved in your family, birth mothers have provided an immense sacrifice and are worthy of celebrating.
Ideas For Celebrating Birth Mother’s Day
There is no wrong way to celebrate this holiday! If this is your first time experiencing the adoption process, your first Birth Mother’s Day can be an exciting time.
- Keep in touch. If you choose an open or semi-open adoption, you know the importance of staying in contact with the adoptive family. Consider asking the adoptive family for a video or photo, and you can send one back!
- Send a gift. A card or some flowers are always appreciated. You could also hand-make a gift for your favorite birth mother or cook them a meal.
- Plan a visit. This can be a good opportunity if your adoption plan permits it.
- Offer support. Send some words of encouragement to any adoptees you know or anyone going through the adoption process. It is a simple way to let them know you’re there for them!
- Experience your emotions. The month of May can be a difficult time for all mothers. It is more important than ever to talk about your feelings with your loved ones. Adoption Choices of Colorado offers free counseling for birth mothers and access to peer support groups.
- Spend time together. Share this day with your family, adopted and not.
- Have open conversations. Speaking candidly about your adoption story helps erase the stigma for everyone and reminds struggling birth mothers that they are not alone.
Birth Mother’s Day Complications
Of course, like any aspect of adoption, Birth Mother’s Day can be a sensitive topic. Many people had a closed adoption and do not know the identity of their birth mother. It is important to recognize all experiences are different and to be respectful when discussing adoption, especially with children.
Find Security With a Licensed Agency
As your local Colorado adoption experts, we know that giving up a baby for adoption is a hard decision. This is why we pride ourselves on offering the best support to birth mothers and families. Our adoption specialists can assist you in making an adoption plan that covers all your needs and wants. We offer financial support for birth mothers as well as free counseling and legal help.
For more information, contact us today! Our licensed, compassionate Colorado adoption professionals are ready to help.
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.
Sources:
- ayesha.arshad@prhacker.com. “National Birth Mother’s Day.” National Today, 8 May 2021, nationaltoday.com/national-birth-mothers-day/#:~:text=National%20Birth%20Mother. Accessed 24 Apr. 2023.
- Calendar, National Day. “NATIONAL BIRTH MOTHER’S DAY – Saturday before Mother’s Day.” National Day Calendar, 10 May 2014, nationaldaycalendar.com/national-birth-mothers-day-saturday-before-mothers-day/. Accessed 29 Apr. 2023.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!