Birth mother's day
Saturday, May 8th, 2021 is recognized as National Birthmother's Day. Quite appropriately, it is always celebrated the day before Mother's Day each year. For many of us adoptive mothers, there had to be a birth mother before we could become a mother. This holiday was started in 1990 by a group of birth mothers to educate communities across the country about the profound sacrifices of a birth mother and to make sure these women were not forgotten. For any adoptive mother, like myself, I could never forget this incredible gift and privilege generously given to me by another woman.
I remember the day my daughters were born like it was yesterday. I remember leaving the hospital with my daughters overwhelmed with love and gratitude for their birthmother. I still have those feelings today, even more as they have grown through the years.
Birth Mother's Day is described as " bittersweet" by many of the birth moms I have worked with over the years. They express having the feelings of loss and joy at the same time! Living with the impact of not parenting their child, yet at the same time having the feeling of joy knowing that her child is happy and being loved by the adoptive family she chose for him or her. These women certainly deserve to be recognized and respected.
For an adoptive mother like myself, I have unending gratitude to the woman that gave me the chance to become a mother and celebrate Mother's Day each year. Without her, I would never have had that privilege. She came first, yet she humbly stepped to the side and let me have the title of "mother" and that sacrifice is not lost on me.
Birth Mother's Day is a great time to reach out to your child's birth mother and remind her of the importance she will always have in your family's life. That will never change. I recommend recognizing these brave women on this day each year, if only by sending a quick text or sharing a photograph. If you have a young child, perhaps suggest to them they draw a picture for their birth mother. This is a great way to teach them a way to honor and recognize the woman that gave them life and wanted only the best for them.
I work every day with women that choose to make an adoption plan for their child. After many years of working with birthmothers, I am still amazed by each one’s strength and unselfishness. Their choice is made purely out of fierce love for their child and the strength to put their child’s needs above her own.
This year on National Birth Mother's Day, we at My Choice Adoptions want to recognize these incredible women. We want you to know that we see you and are thinking about you on this special day. We are here for you, any time. We'd love to hear from you!
#NationalBirthmothersDay
Marilu Allewelt
Text or call us at 850-815-5858