I'm looking forward to this! I'm a child of early mother loss, sibling separation, and an undependable father (AND a non-adopted, sometimes-daughter of a now estranged step-mother—it's complicated). I understand the yearning for understanding about where we come from. As an adoptee-adjacent person who didn't get to know my father beyond childhood and knows even less about my birth mother, I'm grateful you are making space for these complicated "other" categories.
Jacque, omg that does sound so complicated! I have so many questions... But for now let me just say I am SO pleased that you see this space as welcoming to you, because that's exactly what I intended! I look forward to hearing more of your story. Thank you so much for sharing bits of it here. ♥️
The more I discover about the NPE world, the more comforting it gets. I learned about my biological father about two years ago and have been navigating my own journey as a step adoptee through writing since then — hence the title of my Substack “Bits of the Untold”. Would love to talk!
Hi Priscilla - I'm so glad you found me here! I am now following you over at your substack. Your voice is solid and captivating, can't wait to hear more of your story!
Michele, I had thought I was pretty okay with things after discovering almost three years ago that my dad is not my biological father, and I'm beginning to write about my experiences on my Substack, Write Out of Hiding, but I've been waffling about posting a comment since coming across your post (thanks to Rona Maynard's share). I'm not sure I'm ready to be cheeky about this experience!
I am also a (sort-of?)step adoptee, having been raised by my dad and my stepmother (she and my dad married when I was two). Although my birth mother stepped out of my life before this time, my stepmother did not officially adopt me, for reasons unclear to me (I always assumed it was due to the cost). I initiated meeting my birth mother when I was 15, and my birth father when I was 50, and only because my kid took a DNA test that lead me to his existence and a completely different identity for me. So, I'm both a step adoptee of sorts AND a recent NPE. At least I didn't have to worry about the news breaking up my parents' marriage! Happy to have a chat with you at some point. Welcome to Substack!
Tracey thank you for sharing your story here. Wow, it sounds like you've been navigating lots of turbulent identity waters of late. No question, these are serious encounters with ourselves and our presumed histories, and I definitely don't shy away from this. But I'll welcome a little lightness of tone here and there just to shake up the "OMG'ness" of it all. I hope you'll join me! Ready over direct message anytime for a chat!
We meet again Michele. This time on substack! I’m here too now and I’m new as well. As a step adoptee and an adoptive parent you and I have much to talk about, and I’m always here to share my stories. You have been so generous to me since I discovered you via your Modern Love article. Happy to hang out here with you on Substack.
I do not have this story but this is so interesting to me! It’s your writing, your passion they comes through. ☺️And a friend of Rona’s is a friend of mine! Welcome, Michelle! Love your fun pretend pic… good for you not using IA or stock photos just yet! 😉🤗
Oh thank you, Joan! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I was uncertain about the pic, so glad that hit home 😊. I hope to continue to keep you riveted with lots more stories to come! (And Rona is the best.)
“Keeping us riveted”…what a great writer does! 😊 No matter the content…it’s the humor, style, realness, lilting sentences and turn of phrase! You’ve got it all, girl! Much love! 🤗🥰
I'm looking forward to this! I'm a child of early mother loss, sibling separation, and an undependable father (AND a non-adopted, sometimes-daughter of a now estranged step-mother—it's complicated). I understand the yearning for understanding about where we come from. As an adoptee-adjacent person who didn't get to know my father beyond childhood and knows even less about my birth mother, I'm grateful you are making space for these complicated "other" categories.
Jacque, omg that does sound so complicated! I have so many questions... But for now let me just say I am SO pleased that you see this space as welcoming to you, because that's exactly what I intended! I look forward to hearing more of your story. Thank you so much for sharing bits of it here. ♥️
Congrats on the new substack - looking forward to reading this.
Thank you for being here, to Jocelyn!
Thank you for creating this space!
The more I discover about the NPE world, the more comforting it gets. I learned about my biological father about two years ago and have been navigating my own journey as a step adoptee through writing since then — hence the title of my Substack “Bits of the Untold”. Would love to talk!
Hi Priscilla - I'm so glad you found me here! I am now following you over at your substack. Your voice is solid and captivating, can't wait to hear more of your story!
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I look forward to our discussions!
Michele, I had thought I was pretty okay with things after discovering almost three years ago that my dad is not my biological father, and I'm beginning to write about my experiences on my Substack, Write Out of Hiding, but I've been waffling about posting a comment since coming across your post (thanks to Rona Maynard's share). I'm not sure I'm ready to be cheeky about this experience!
I am also a (sort-of?)step adoptee, having been raised by my dad and my stepmother (she and my dad married when I was two). Although my birth mother stepped out of my life before this time, my stepmother did not officially adopt me, for reasons unclear to me (I always assumed it was due to the cost). I initiated meeting my birth mother when I was 15, and my birth father when I was 50, and only because my kid took a DNA test that lead me to his existence and a completely different identity for me. So, I'm both a step adoptee of sorts AND a recent NPE. At least I didn't have to worry about the news breaking up my parents' marriage! Happy to have a chat with you at some point. Welcome to Substack!
Tracey thank you for sharing your story here. Wow, it sounds like you've been navigating lots of turbulent identity waters of late. No question, these are serious encounters with ourselves and our presumed histories, and I definitely don't shy away from this. But I'll welcome a little lightness of tone here and there just to shake up the "OMG'ness" of it all. I hope you'll join me! Ready over direct message anytime for a chat!
We meet again Michele. This time on substack! I’m here too now and I’m new as well. As a step adoptee and an adoptive parent you and I have much to talk about, and I’m always here to share my stories. You have been so generous to me since I discovered you via your Modern Love article. Happy to hang out here with you on Substack.
I'm glad to see you here, Jan! I've been meaning to reach out and will do so still... Keep well in the meantime.
I do not have this story but this is so interesting to me! It’s your writing, your passion they comes through. ☺️And a friend of Rona’s is a friend of mine! Welcome, Michelle! Love your fun pretend pic… good for you not using IA or stock photos just yet! 😉🤗
Oh thank you, Joan! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I was uncertain about the pic, so glad that hit home 😊. I hope to continue to keep you riveted with lots more stories to come! (And Rona is the best.)
“Keeping us riveted”…what a great writer does! 😊 No matter the content…it’s the humor, style, realness, lilting sentences and turn of phrase! You’ve got it all, girl! Much love! 🤗🥰
Welcome to Substack, Michele.
Thanks Rona!