A Mother Listens To Her Heart

My name is Shannon, and I placed my daughter, Paige Victoria, for adoption through Volunteers of America. I found the program through the phone book, and I chose them because of the caring response that I received over the phone. 

Throughout the time that I was receiving counseling, I always felt supported no matter what the final outcome might have been. They always let me know that I had options, that it was up to me to decide and that they would help me no matter what.

I made the decision to place my baby for adoption for several reasons. I was only 25 years old, and I didn't want to marry the father of the child (we never could have made it work). The long and short of it is that I wanted something more for my daughter than I could provide as a single parent on a salary that, even alone, was hard to make ends meet sometimes. I dreamed for her what I never had for myself: two loving, ever-present parents, all the nice things she could ever want and an excellent education.

I don't want to mislead you into thinking that this was an easy decision because it is never easy to hand someone you love as dearly as life itself into someone else's care. Especially when it's because you know you can't provide the kind of care someone deserves. Placing my daughter for adoption was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but, at the time, it was also one of the most rewarding. After visiting my daughter and her family, and seeing her beautiful smile and how happy they all are together, it only reaffirmed that I made the right decision for my little girl.

I am not writing this to convince anyone to place their child for adoption, because I have experienced all the options myself. I have a six-year-old son whom I parented, and I have also experienced an abortion. So, my main purpose is to encourage any mother who is considering the option of adoption to get counseling at Volunteers of America. The counselors will help you make the right choice…no matter what that is.

Good luck to you, and remember the most important thing is to listen to your own heart and not to the voices of the people around you — no matter how important those people are to you. You are the only one who will have to live with your choice for the rest of your life. Make certain it is a choice you can live with.

In Love and Support, 
Shannon