MTV True Life's I'm Placing My Baby for Adoption Premiering Saturday

I watch and felt for all of them. Especially for Cliff and Conio. Hope they have adopted by now.

I was disappointed in in parts of the show which featured Kayla Tuttle. I worked with her for months helping her become ready either to parent or relinquish. 4 things were not mentioned which I found distressing: 1. Kayla had an adoption literate licensed therapist in her home town during the entire process whom she worked with privately. I think it is crucial for anyone considering this option to have therapy outside of the agency. It is always money well spent by the adoptive couple 2. Kayla said the birth father did not want anything to do with her. It was not mentioned that every effort was made to include him in the process. I spoke to him several times and paperwork was sent to him early on. Every effort was made to include and educate him about the process rather than ignore him which is commonly done. 3. Kayla was not pushed to sign in any given time line. She took a full 3 weeks to parent and co parent her baby as she processed. I know this is not usual, but believe ethically it is always the right thing to do – stealing babies quickly should not be what this is about. 4. My work with Kayla involved case managing while encouraging her to return to school for her GED. She has a library of 15-16 open adoption and grief related books to keep to help her continue her processing and growth. She wanted to breast feed which I encouraged and she continues to pump and freeze milk for her daughter. California has legally binding contact agreements for contact which was important to not only her, but the adoptive couple as well………they all wanted maximum contact and things have been going well. Ellen Roseman

as an adoptee who has had a positive experience reuniting with my birthfamily, i am not sure what to think. funny- all the history that would concern adoptees happened pre-internet, pre-MTV, pre-cable television. no one blogged about georgia tann’s exploits, but they directly influenced an adoptees legal abilities to contact his or her birthfamily. so whatever positive or negative impact the media could have on the issue of adoption is too late. they should focus on international adoption, which is corrupt and sinister, while also being very chic for hollywood types.

Ellen,

Thank you so much for more insight into the show. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it went. Glad it wasn’t all “adoption is beautiful”…and could see a difference between Kayla’s process and the other expectant mother….(her name escapes me)’s process. I

I happened upon the show on March 26, 2009 and cried throughout the show. I gave up a baby girl in 1968 and we have a relationship now for almost 20 years. I belong to a group called, C.U.B. Concerned United Birthparents. We meet once a month in St. Louis Park MN. That show was probably not viewed by many women my age who work full time. I would love a copy of it to view at the CUB Meeting or pass around for them to see. There is a member who is trying to change adoption laws at the State Legislature in St. Paul, so work goes on in this area to make it easier for children to locate their birth parents. This series – for me- that particular show on Thursday would be wonderful viewed in Jr. High Health classes..the pain and confusion, is so real for the birth mother and for those trying to locate their parents down the road. I will pay for the DVD copy and shipping. Thank you

I just watched the episode and was so proud of Kayla and her ultimate decision to give up the baby for adoption. I also would like to commend her for continuing to breast feed her baby and provide breast milk to the adoptive parents! Amazing.