Reclaim in adoption

Jennifer Bliss, PsyD Adoption Expert, explains what is done to help prevent reclaim in an adoption and why it is important to start the grieving process with the birth mother while she is pregnant
Preventing Reclaim In An Adoption - Kidsinthehouse.com
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Reclaim in adoption

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One of the scariest things the perspective parents think about when they choose to adopt is a reclaim. That's when the birth mother asks for the child back after the baby has been taken home by the adoptive parents. That happens, maybe, 3 to 4 percent of the time. It is rare, but when it happens, it is devastating. What we try and do is prepare the birth mother emotionally for what she is going to experience at the hospital. We don't want the feelings of sadness to occur for the first time at the hospital because that could be very shocking and overwhelming. We don't want a situation that rocks the foundation of "Is this the right decision because if it was, how could it hurt this bad?" We really want to start the grieving process when she is pregnant, so she's starting to feel the sadness. She is giving the child to the adoptive parents in her heart before she ever hits the hospital. That way, when she's at the hospital, the sadness she feels is familiar and she understands what she's feeling and it doesn't make her question her decision. It also allows her to take more joy in the moments in seeing the family that she's created in front of her, and watching the adoptive parents fall in love with the child is really reassuring to them that they are making the right decision.

Jennifer Bliss, PsyD Adoption Expert, explains what is done to help prevent reclaim in an adoption and why it is important to start the grieving process with the birth mother while she is pregnant

Transcript

Expert Bio

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Jennifer Bliss, PsyD

Founder of Bliss Adoption Services

Dr. Jennifer Bliss has dedicated her career to adoption education and support. She specializes in providing clinical services for all members of the adoption triad, including adoption education/consultation and pre/post adoption relationship support. Throughout her career, Dr. Bliss has been passionate about educating the public on best practices in adoption and the psychology of open adoption. She is also the author of a new book on open adoption, Another Choice: A compassionate Guide to Placing a Child For Adoption.
Dr. Bliss received her BA in Psychology and BS in Education from University of Southern California. She went on to earn her MSW from UCLA and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Ryokan College. Dr. Bliss has supervised adoption counselors across the country and has spoken on the psychology behind open adoption at universities and statewide conferences. She has also appeared as the open adoption expert on radio programs, podcasts, television shows and was the primary adoption consultant and featured counselor on WEtv's 4-part documentary series, "Adoption Diaries.”

 

www.BlissAdoptionServices.com

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