Working at a non-profit pregnancy center I often hear clients say, “I could never give my child up through adoption.” I’ve asked the women why they feel that way and I’ve found their views are often shaped by negative assumptions about adoption. I encourage them to learn more about adoption and consider it’s many benefits. Adoption is a beautiful option but sadly I’ve had multiple women tell me they think it’s worse than having an abortion. Many women need to see adoption in a new light. That is why I was encouraged to discover Michelle Money’s adoption story trending on Facebook.
Michelle Money, Bachelor TV show alum opened up to US Weekly about placing her child for adoption at the young age of 15. In a video released for the skincare company PMB, Money shares that the decision to place her child for adoption was “not an easy one but it was the right one. ”
In the video, you can see footage of Money at 15 holding her baby boy in her arms. Michelle shared that her then boyfriend and son’s father was very loving and supportive. They picked the adoptive parents together and were able to receive letters and pictures for the first few years of his life. The young man is now 19 and Money desires to reconnect with him. She told US Weekly, “I have my daughter who is the love of my life and am hopeful that at some point I will have my son in my life as well!” She went on to say, “I know I will never take the place of his adoptive parents, but I would absolutely love to have some place in his life if he will have me!”
Adoption can carry a stigma and some biological moms who make an adoption plan will stay silent about their experiences for fear of being judged. Michelle reveals that after the adoption she was confused with trying to prove herself to everyone. She deeply cared about what other people thought and lost herself seeking to be accepted by others. She felt like getting pregnant at 15 was a mistake that she had to strive to overcompensate from.
Michelle kept her adoption a secret until recently opening up to her 11-year-old daughter, Brielle. Brielle was very kind and helped her mother feel more comfortable talking about her adoption. Michelle says she owes it all to her daughter.
Michelle is grateful to now be in a really good place in life. She told US Weekly, “It’s taken a lot for me to get here. It doesn’t happen overnight where you get to where you can feel so confident in the decisions you’ve made in life and the trials that you’ve gone through.”
Since her story began trending online Michelle has gotten lots of positive feedback. She shared this encouraging message on her public Facebook page:
In the comment section of her Facebook page you can read beautiful responses and stories from both birthparents and adoptive parents. If only every mom considering adoption could read comments like these:
Stephanie: God bless you a 1,000 fold for sacrificing 9 months out of your entire life to give this precious one life and to sacrifice even more by allowing this child to be adopted into a loving home that was able at that point to raise this child. You have a heart of gold. I admire you so much. God bless you!
Melissa: My husband was the son of an unwed teenage mother in 1972. Thank God she was Catholic and roe v wade was the next year. I would not have my precious family without the gift of life.
Bashar: Without adoption I wouldn’t have my son. I’m thankful for the brave Mothers who went down this path and not termination. Upmost respect to you all and thank you.
Kris:The amount of LOVE and SELFLESSNESS it would take to do this is truly beyond comprehension. I have the utmost respect for every woman who has selflessly given her baby a better life than what she could give it. Hopefully one day I can adopt one of these miracle babies.
I’m grateful Michelle shared her story. I really hope it inspires others to consider adoption. I pray she’ll be able to connect with her 19-year-old son one day soon!
