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Jeannie & Mike
We Have Been So Greatly Blessed, And After Only 39 Days of Waiting! We brought our new baby boy home from the hospital on News Year Day! We met the birthmother through our Parent Profile on the ParentProfiles.com website only 39 days after our Profile was posted. Thank you so much for all your help! more ...
Journaling Your Experience
Journal writing is a relatively common practice. For some it is a simple recording of events. For others it is feelings, emotions, or insights. Journal writing is a way to express your true feeling-s-the feelings that sometimes are left to fester or those that you're too afraid to admit verbally. Placing your child with an adoptive family can be a confusing and scary time in your life. It may leave you feeling guilty, sad, or hopeless about the future. During the placement process you will find that your emotions will often get the better of you; they will be so close to the surface most days. Placing your child with an adoptive family is a very big decision to make. Make good use of a journal.
Even though you have all these thoughts, emotions, and reservations, it can be hard to start writing about these in detail right away. Start small. Just start by writing the day-by-day events of your life. Start with the simple and progress toward the more complicated emotions and happenings of your life. Eventually you'll work your way up to writing your fears and successes. This is considered journal therapy.
When strong emotions--whether positive or negative--come into your life, it can be overwhelming. It can leave your nerves frazzled and you may find yourself at your wits' end. This is one of the many times that keeping a journal is helpful. Write out exactly how you're feeling. You'll find that through writing your feelings, emotions, and worries that you're stress will ease and you can see your situation with a clearer perspective.
Not only is keeping a journal great for remembering the details of the placing process, it is great to look through later and see your emotional progression. Sometimes it is hard to see how far we've come until we look back at where we began. It is a great way to stay motivated to continue the healing process--as you learn to understand and accept your decision, your emotions, and your feelings.
If you feel up to it, share your journal with trusted, loved ones. Sometimes it's empowering to share your deepest fears and highest triumphs. It will also help your friends and family understand where you're coming from, where you've been, and where you're going. It's all about the journey. Without that journey healing isn't possible. In order to grow, progress must be made. This journey is something of which to be proud. It is quite an accomplishment. You should never be ashamed of that journey or sharing your journal with others. On the other hand, sharing your journal isn't necessary for your progress and healing. It is simply another option. If you feel that your journey is too personal, don't share it. Keep it for yourself. It all depends on who you want to intimately include in your life journey.
Journal therapy can help you prepare emotionally for the placing process, help you through the process, and encourage complete healing and acceptance afterward. Remember that no one should make you feel guilty towards yourself because of your decision to place. You're doing what you believe is in the best interest of yourself and your child. And that takes courage.
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