CONTACT WITH BIRTH FAMILY | ONE OFF MEETINGS| How does contact work? | UK Adoption | mollymamaadopt

Hi all.
Another much requested video and one that can be a scary topic to a lot of prospective adopters. These are just my views from my own experience but I hope it can provide some reassurance. I didn't mention contact with siblings as it's not something I've experienced - however there can also be direct or indirect contact with a child's birth siblings whether they have been adopted or are still in the care of birth family. Contact between siblings is a crucial way to maintain sibling relationships. It breaks my heart that siblings can be separated by adoption but as always, decisions are made by professionals with the children's best interests in mind. I would highly recommend Adoption UK for more info!
Molly x
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[@kimmiebiron]

Just beautiful and so much love.... Norm is not always the best. This was the best story and the outcome was great. Everyone had Steven and no Riley ❤❣️

[@CallMeKimChannel]

This has put my mind at ease so so much, thank you.

[@muslimahadoptsuk3682]

This is very informative. Thank you. I also felt I wouldn't want contact before I started this process, but now, going through the process, my views on this have changed and I think it's so important for us and child.

[@MollyMamaAdopt]

So glad your views changed Farhana!

[@venetia4444]

Hi Molly, thanks for sharing this ! It’s really interesting to hear your experiences and to hear about the contact training. I wish they did this for the birth family. I was raised by my grandparents and have 3 young sisters adopted at birth I didn’t know existed. They’re now old enough that they’ve started contacting me (but are still under 18) and I’ve found it extremely hard as there are no resources/guidance about contact written from the birth sibling perspective. My partner and I are actually going through the adoption process and are now trying to raise awareness of how there should be support groups/training for birth families outside just the birth parents

[@MollyMamaAdopt]

Hi. Thanks so much for your comment and for sharing that. I agree that any support offered to birth family would be beneficial. Could your local authority potentially help?

[@katierippon6106]

Thank you for this. The idea of having to do this terrifies me so hopefully after the training I will feel better about this.

[@MollyMamaAdopt]

I completely understand Katie. So many adopters feel this way but the training is so important just so you learn about the benefits 😚

[@echotilley3784]

I can get on board with everything you said in this video, other than the photo. I could imagine the birth parents to be in immense pain and probably wouldn't want that captured.

[@MollyMamaAdopt]

Completely fair point and for me it’s crucial to be empathetic. From my understanding, no one is forced to take photos or even meet/pursue contact, but if willing to then it’s suggested for the purpose of a child’s life story work.

[@lindseywebb5443]

Hi molly i have two daughters in adoption myself my question is what if they dont want to met when they turn 18 or if one child dose but the other child is not ready

[@jadeloughran352]

What about when older sibling got adopted but all younger ones stayed with birth family so, siblings are separated. I know this happens. How you feel about said child missing out on contact and relationship with their birth/blood related siblings ?

[@MollyMamaAdopt]

I don’t have this exact experience but I know this is common. It is heartbreaking and must be so confusing for the child who can’t remain in birth family. I can only hope that decisions are made in the interest of all children involved.