I didn't know about the show and wouldn't have watched it if I did, simply because I don't like Ms. Wawa either.
Besides, I watch Britcoms on Saturday nights. It's the only thing PBS is good for anymore. ;)

Adoption? Oh, yes... I think it's a good thing. But some adopters need to really think hard about why they are adopting.
I know of a situation right now; the kids are 4 and 5 years of age... The a-mom and the b-mom are sisters. The a-mom resents the heck out of her sister, and this is starting to carry over to the kids... :(

I was lucky and my adopted parents never once made me feel as if I was second best in any way. Unfortunately, others are not as blessed, and by the time a child grows into an adult and can understand that nobody is perfect... well, some damage can be done.

Pam, I had much the same experience as you did. Many times, people ask me why I don't go and find my 'real parents', especially now that Mom and Dad are both deceased.

Well, they were my real parents, and I have no desire to bring into my life a person who may have who knows what kind of issues.

Also, I don't want my son, Andy, to have to deal with all the possible issues that might bring up.

I am an adopted blogger who also didn't watch the show. I heard about it on talk radio and decided that even if I was hearing mostly hyperbole, it wasn't something I wanted to waste my time on. And then, completely forgot it was on anyway!

Adoption is a wonderful thing. I knew from a fairly young age who my bio mother was, but she didn't mean anything to me. My real parents were the ones who raised me and treated me just as they did their bio son. In fact, while they made sure I understood I was adopted, they also made sure that I understood I was chosen and loved no less than my brother.

How do you (anyone?) treat adopted people in the Family Tree?
I think that it's fine to put an adopted person in, as long as you mark it with an "A".
Before anyone accuses me of marking us all with a Scarlet Letter... I think a Family Tree is in fact a Pedigree and should be treated that way. Which is why I've never been in one... But I just found one on the web - you know how GEDCOMS are popping up! - with my name on it! [Yep, I'm emailing the guy to tell him that I'm adopted]

I was alerted to this by a man who emailed me because he was doing research into my father's branch of the family and wondered if I had any information... I don't. It's different when they aren't your own ancestors. Or at least it is for me.

Sorry to go on and on...

I'm adopted and thinking about finding my birth mother. My case worker and my Mom both encourage this action. I'm the one a little gun shy on this one.

I didn't what the BW special and from what I've heard about it - NO WAY. I have always said it takes very special people to adopt a child. There needs to be the understanding when the child hits your home they are YOURS. I had that - I am so very lucky.

My grandparents often refered to me as their adopted granddaughter. That always hurt, but it was only near the end of his life that my Grandfather commented on how proud they were of having me in the family that they had to tell everyone. It was an "amish" way of thinking and, while I don't agree with it, I understand it.

Oops, I'm going on a bit sorry. But this is a subject I feel very passionate about. I believe the birth parents have a right to state their preferences on placement, but I think a RESPONSIBLE group/agency should have the final say. It just gets too messy when the birth parents keep trying to step in.

One more thing - when my sister found her birthmother, the BM, my sis and Mom all had lunch together. The BM leaned across the table, looked Mom in the eyes and said "I want to thank you for taking care of my baby, but I've got it from here." I cannot express the anger and hatred that comment created. On more levels than I will go into here. Suffice to say - I think the birth parents need to realize - no matter what the circumstances they need to come to grips with the fact that when you sign those papers you have No Rights No Say. Ever. If the child wants to find you, they will.

(all done - sorry)

My mom gave up a child for adoption. It was the toughest thing she ever did. She did it with the provision that the adoption was closed and the records sealed. She needed to put it all behind her.

Of course that meant that my half-sister found us. And it caused my mom a world of hurt.

Now....me? I always wanted to be adopted. I never wanted to admit those loons were really related to me.

Sad, isn't it?

Da Goddess, my parents were wonderful, but my sister and I are very thankful that we don't have the same genes as my mom's side of the family. Her sister (my supposed "aunt") and her children are all crazy and mean as they can be.

Not adopted, but will very likely be adopting. Thanks for sharing your stories. I've often wondered if I could truly be "Mom" to a child who had been raised the first few years of his life by birth mom.

(I didn't know anything about the show.)