6 Ways to Celebrate Birth Mothers

The Saturday before Mother’s Day has been traditionally honored as Birth Mother’s Day throughout the US. While we think it’s totally appropriate to celebrate birth mothers all weekend long, we’re taking today to highlight the amazing, brave, loving women behind each adoption story.

One of the most common questions future adoptive parents have to work through, for themselves, is this:

“What would it be like to raise a child who also had another family that loved him first?”

A child’s birth mother will always be a special part of his or her story. As most of Lifetime’s adoptive parents share, once you get to know the ONE birth mother who has chosen you to become her baby’s family, the natural progression is to grow a deep love and care for that amazing woman who made your adoption dreams come true.

So this Mother’s Day weekend, as you recognize your own adoption miracle, or pray for the next step in your adoption goals, take a moment to celebrate the brave love that threads between all birth mothers. Here are 6 ways you can honor and celebrate birth mothers today:

1. First of all, if you know a birth mother, reach out and let her know you’re thinking of her! Many women who have placed a child for adoption often feel forgotten or overlooked at Mother’s Day. She’ll most likely be touched that you remembered her story.

2. Better understand a birth mother’s heart and experience by watching adoption stories, as told by women who have chosen adoption for a child. Lifetime’s website has several videos featuring Birth Mother Stories!

3. Share a post about birth moms that helps your personal circle understand the other side the adoption story you’re trying to create as a hopeful adoptive parent. Many people believe outdated views or stereotypes about birth mothers, so it helps to spread positive awareness. Lifetime, and our friends at Brave Love, have many posts on Facebook or Instagram that would be worth sharing!

4. Pray for birth mothers and women who are thinking about adoption for a child. Pray for your child’s, or your future child’s birth mother. Choosing adoption is never an easy decision, and there are many reasons that women choose to place a baby for adoption, most of which usually circle around difficult circumstances. Pray for birth mothers, and not just for the baby.

5. Support birth mothers through the Lifetime Adoption Foundation!  Adoption Prayer Bracelets, and this Hand Lettered Art Print, designed by Libby on Lifetime’s team, are both items that benefit the Lifetime Foundation, which helps women who have chosen adoption, before, during, and after the process. You can also donate funds or gift cards directly to the Lifetime Foundation, which is a 501(c)3 charity.

6. Remember what a gift YOU are, or will be, to your future child’s birth mother! Adoption is only possible because TWO sides, adoptive parents and birth mothers, come together for the future of a child. As much as you love your child’s birth mother, she will likely also share a deep appreciation, or even gratitude, for the life you’ll give her child. If you have an open adoption, make sure you honor this special connection by keeping your word about ongoing contact and sharing updates with your child’s birth mother or family.