The Birth Mother Who Made Me a Mom

In this premiere episode of Choosing Adoption, discover the extraordinary 26-year journey between Donna Pope and Monica, the birth mother who placed her son Josh for adoption and forever changed both their lives.

The Decision
Monica shares her raw truth about choosing adoption while struggling with addiction and homelessness, unable to care for her four-year-old son. With no resources and pregnant again, she faced an impossible choice between caring for one child versus two.

The Prayer
Two years after placement, Monica hit rock bottom in jail. A desperate prayer for healing became the turning point that led to 24 years of sobriety, a master's degree, and finally becoming the mother her older son Aaron deserved.

The Question
Years later, 8-year-old Josh confronted his adoptive mother about why Monica placed him but kept his older brother. Hear how this family navigated brutal honesty and why witnessing Josh thriving finally freed Monica from guilt.

Join Donna Pope for advice on adoption boundaries, birth father safety concerns, and why adoption doesn't have to be the end of the story. Subscribe to Choosing Adoption podcast and join our community sharing real experiences that matter.