At least bparents have 9 months to get used to the idea, feel the baby kicking and have the birth experience to prepare them. Adoptive parents are simply presented with a red-faced, squalling minute scrap of life.

For the next 21 years they raise a stranger's child as their own. In most cases, they do a better job than many bparents. But there always hidden fears. Read the comments linked to this page for a better insight.

We haven't told our son.
Submitted by Harold and Gail, Johannesburg
My adopted daughter rejects me.
Submitted by Sara, Gweru, Zimbabwe
I want a baby more than anything else in the world.
Submitted by Jacki, Cape Town, South Africa
A Gift for my adopted children.
Submitted by Patsy, South Africa
"Birth Mom, be proud" - an open letter.
Courtesy of You magazine.
Dear BMom
Submitted by Leigh, South Africa.
"Adoption" - a poem to an adopted son.
Submitted by Jeff the Pappa.
Words of Encouragement to Adoptive Parents.
Submitted by an Adoptive Mother