A major new report from the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute explores the changing face of adoption in America, and the “new reality” in which “the vast majority of infant adoptions are ‘open,’ meaning the two families have some level of ongoing relationship.” Not only that, but the demographics—such as race, ethnicity, nationality, and class—of both adopted children and adoptive parents are shifting, too.
This week’s pick, “(An)Other Mother,” comes from Partner A at Cats and Cradles. In it, she reflects on life as a non-gestational mother, a term she prefers to “non-biological mother.” Now, posts about being a non-gestational/non-biological mother are not uncommon. Heck, there are whole blogs and even whole books on the topic. But Partner A offers some wonderful insights to add to the conversation.
Some of the LGBT parenting stories I haven’t otherwise mentioned this week—coincidentally, all with an international flavor:
In the Life Media has posted an “It Gets Better” video featuring parents of transgender children. In the video, the parents, members of PFLAG’s support group for families of transgender children, “share their personal struggles to understand their child’s needs and find support for both themselves and their families.”
I haven’t posted a recipe in a while, so here’s one I made this past weekend for the Massachusetts State Muffin (corn). It’s enhanced by the Massachusetts State Fruit (cranberries), and sweetened by that most New England of sweeteners, maple syrup. If I were to put any more New England in it, I’d have to add clams—but don’t worry, I won’t.
A very happy Mothering Sunday to my readers in the U.K. and other countries that are celebrating it today. Here in the U.S., our Mother’s Day isn’t until May, but at Mombian, of course, every day is Mother’s Day (or Mothers’ Day, depending on your relationship status), so have a great day no matter where you live.
If filmmaker Andrea James has her way, there will soon be a new film for young children with lesbian or gay parents. James is raising funds via Kickstarter for her project. (Video clip after the jump.)
This week’s roundup is brought to you by the letter “N,” with happenings in Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Nigeria (as well as a few non-N places).
This week’s selection, “Breathing Room,” comes from Lyn, who blogs with her partner Gail at First Time, Second Time. Lyn and Gail are both mathematicians, fell in love at Math Camp, and seem to favor the number two. They describe themselves as “two lesbian moms who created an intentional family via donor conception. We’ve both given birth, both been NGP’s (non-gestational parents), both nursed, both worked for pay, and both stayed at home with kids.”
I chose “Breathing Room” because it shines a light on one of the less-discussed transitions of family life, when children leave early childhood and parents are able to take a little more time for themselves and each other.
Scratching out “Father” and writing in “Mother” is an all-too common experience for coupled lesbian moms (vice versa for gay dads). Now, the Family Equality Council (FEC) hopes to draw attention to the many forms that still exclude our families. Their “Snap It & Send It” campaign asks people to take photos or scans of non-inclusive forms and send them to fo***@************ty.org, along with notes about how the forms are impacting their family.
