November is adoption awareness month. "The first major effort to promote awareness of the need for adoptive families for children in the foster care system occurred in Massachusetts. In 1976, then-Governor Mike Dukakis proclaimed Adoption Week and the idea grew in popularity and spread throughout the nation. President Gerald Ford made the first National Adoption Week proclamation, and in 1990, the week was expanded to a month due to the number of states participating and the number of events. During the month, states, communities, public and private organizations, businesses, families, and individuals celebrate adoption as a positive way to build families. Across the nation, activities and observances such as recognition dinners, public awareness and recruitment campaigns, and special events spotlight the needs of children who need permanent families. It also includes National Adoption Day, traditionally a Saturday, which is observed in courthouses across the nation as hundreds of adoptions are finalized simultaneously ( http://www.adopting.org/adoptions/november-is-national-adoption-awareness-month-2.html) . I like that adoption is recognized and is honored by a month of activities to honor adoption. I like the thought of families growing and children getting a forever family. Being a birth mom, I do have a problem with adoption awareness month. As a birth mother I have one issue with adoption awareness month. Birth mothers are a big part of adoption, and if it weren't for birth mothers like me, there would be no adoptions. I am not asking for a big fanfare or anything like that, just an acknowledgement of the role that birth mothers have in adoptions. If you know a birth mother, especially during adoption awareness month, give them a call, send them a card or letter, pay them a visit, or let them know you are thinking about them and care about them. And it doesn't only have to be during adoption awareness month, but anytime really is a good time to let a birth mother know how special they are.
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