Mother’s Day is a special time for parents, especially when it is the first time celebrating. For new mothers, the day brings a special blend of joy and overwhelming love, as they are just starting to navigate life with a baby. For those who have faced infertility, Mother’s Day can feel even bigger. Years of struggling to conceive a child are in the past, and a new life has begun with your precious little one. No matter how you came to reach adoption, it is certainly a cause for celebration. Mother’s Day is a very special day to recognize your journey, to honor your relationship with your child, and to reflect on the family you have built.
What many adoptive parents (and people in general) do not know is that, on the Saturday before Mother’s Day, there is Birth Mother’s Day. Birth Mother’s Day is dedicated to the many women who made the brave and selfless decision to place their baby for adoption – the women who have made adoptive families possible. As you consider your plans for Mother’s Day, you may also consider honoring Birth Mother’s Day, too.
Saturday, May 8, 2021 is Birth Mother’s Day. Whether you have an open or closed adoption plan, there are ways you can celebrate your child’s birth mother this weekend. Honoring your child’s birth mother can be a very positive experience. You can show your child how much you respect and honor his or her birth mom. You can also make her day a little brighter, too. Mother’s Day weekend can be a difficult time for birth mothers who chose adoption. No doubt, your child’s birthmother is thinking of them on Mother’s Day.
Honoring Your Child’s Birth Mother
New mothers feel an overwhelming sense of love for their child. This precious, beautiful baby has come into your life, and it is the most wonderful thing that could have ever happened. With that deep love comes a profound sense of gratitude. You are grateful to have your child in your life, and you feel fortunate that your child’s birth mother chose you to be her mother. Of course, a birth mother deserves to be celebrated on Mother’s Day, as well. This day serves the perfect opportunity for adoptive mothers to show their appreciation by honoring their child’s birth mother. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
Send a special present. Your child’s birth mother may appreciate a gift that has meaning. This gift does not have to be expensive. In fact, sometimes the simplest treasures pack the most meaning. A necklace with your child’s birthdate on it, an engraved frame with a photo of your child, or a set of baby’s footprints will bring plenty of meaning to this special woman.
Start a tradition of charity. If you have a close relationship with your child’s birth mother, ask her about her favorite charity. If she is an animal lover, she may choose a local shelter. Has she been touched by an illness or disability? She may choose an organization that supports one of these causes. If you are not in touch with your child’s birth mother, that is okay, too. You can choose your favorite organization and make the donation in her name. Maybe you make a donation to your adoption agency? Make it a tradition! This is a beautiful way to honor the birth mother, while teaching your child the value of charitable giving.
Plant a tree. Your child’s birth mother brought a new life into this world that is unlike any other. Your child is special, and you can honor her roots by planting a tree or perennial plant in her honor. Just as she planted an important seed in your life, you can plant new life in Mother Earth. This symbolic gift honors your child’s birth mother while honoring the beautiful impact she has made in the world.
Spend some time with her. Depending on the terms of your open adoption, you may decide to spend some quality time with your child’s birth mother. If both parties are open to the idea of an in-person reunion, it could be a meaningful way for you both to celebrate Mother’s Day. The first Mother’s Day can be challenging for a birth mother, so she may not be ready to take this step. On the other hand, it could be just what she needs, lifting her spirits as she is reminded of the many reasons she decided to make an adoption plan.
Making Lasting Memories
Just as there are countless reasons you love your child, there are countless ways to make your first Mother’s Day special. You and your little one can start new traditions, carve out quality time together, and share many memories in the years ahead.
Whether you enjoy brunch at your favorite restaurant, a picnic in a park, or a simple meal at home, being together is the most important part of Mother’s Day.
How to Connect with Your Child’s Birth Mother
Adoptions With Love wants to wish every mother – birth and adoptive – a Happy Mother’s Day. If you would like help reconnecting with your child’s birth mother, or you are about to become an adoptive parent who would like to connect for the first time, please reach out to Adoptions With Love. We would love to help you make this incredible connection. Call us any time at 800-722-7731, text us at 617-777-0072, or click here to contact us online.