Michelle is a Birth Mother and author of Delivered: My Harrowing Journey As A Birthmother, two journals for birth mothers, and two nonfiction books part of a Both/And series: Both Darkness and Light, and Both Then And Now. Her new book Both Cleaving and Cleaving will be released April 25, 2022! Michelle is also the author of this birth mom manifesto that is now being included in our SOLACE gift boxes for Birth Mothers.
Michelle placed her son for adoption as an infant. They had no contact until recently, largely stemming from Michelle's feelings like she didn't deserve a relationship with him (which she talks about in this episode). After placing her son, Michelle spent much of her career working as an Adoption Specialist and providing Options Counseling to expectant mothers. As an adult, Michelle's son is now an active part of her family and together they have nurtured a beautiful relationship.
In this episode we discuss:
Support Groups and what birth mothers need post placement.
Resentment and feeling someone made you place your child for adoption.
Guilt and shame when choosing adoption.
OPTIONS COUNSELING! Absolute Loveis launching a course for professionals about Options Counseling, and Michelle conducts Options Counseling regularly as part of her job. Much of our discussing is about how to do this well and some of the challenges and experiences encountered when working with women considering adoption.
Resources mentioned:
