Happy Mother's Day to all the birth mothers out there.

[StevieM]

You are in my heart today.

[waterwatcher123]

1. Consider changing your post to simply Happy Mother's Day!

Mothers through adoption, guardianship and twists of fate (where there is no formal adoption) are equally special to someone in this world.

[StevieM]

2. I put up my post for a reason.

Birth mothers are not generally recognized as legitimate mothers in our society, at least not to the child who was adopted. They are told that they surrendered their claim to motherhood.

The reality is quite different. Most women who acquiesce to an adoption were in dire circumstances and forced to accept a permanent solution to a temporary problem. The loss of their child was devastating to them and will be a source of pain that they carry for the rest of their lives.

Our society does not recognize that pain. Our society does not acknowledge their loss as having been a loss.

I put up this post to show this group some love. All other types of mothers, including the ones you listed, are regularly acknowledged and celebrated. Birth mothers are not. My goal was to include them on this day--and to recognize their motherhood.