A Full Circle Mentoring Story
by Melanie Mosberg

* As Published in the June 2008 Edition of the BirthMom Buds Bulletin*

A note from Coley: The mentoring program was created so that pregnant women considering adoption would be matched with a birthmother who had already “been there, done that.” I love that we now have women who were mentored becoming mentors!

I came to BirthMom Buds in the fall of 2004 while I was pregnant. I applied to the pregnant and placing program to find a mentor.  Coley Strickland, co-founder of Birthmom Buds, became my mentor.  We bonded and she was there for me every step of my adoption journey.

I applied to become a mentor and things came full circle when I received a match to mentor Carolyn in the winter of 2007.  I was able to offer the unconditional support I received from Coley to someone who was beginning her walk through the adoption journey. I recently met Carolyn for the first time at the Birthmother’s Day Celebration in Charlotte, NC.  The hugs, laughter, and tears we shared were bittersweet.

It is truly an amazing experience to give back to BirthMom Buds and mentor other women who are considering adoption.  Please let me encourage all of the birthmothers who are at least one year post placement to consider becoming a mentor.  It is truly a rewarding experience.

To learn more about mentoring a pregnant women considering adoption, read here.
If you are reading and you are pregnant, considering adoption, and would like a mentor, click here.