Scout Masterson & Bill Horn aren’t just “Guncles” anymore, they’re proud dads. They welcomed their daughter, Simone, into their family through open adoption in 2010. The new season of “Tori & Dean Home Sweet Hollywood” starts November 29, and in the first episode, Simone is born. Watch the sneak peek above and tune into Oxygen as the season unfolds.

If you are interested in expanding your family through open adoption, contact The Guncles’ adoption agency at 800.877.6736.

Relationships can be challenging and confusing at times, but as we mature, we tend to learn from past experiences and forge healthy relationships. In this video, teenagers share their views on relationships and what a healthy relationship looks like to them. Feel free to share what constitutes a healthy relationship to you, and how you apply that to other relationships in your life such as the relationship you have with your friends, family, and/or adoptive family?

You can check out more information at Stayteen.org

Life’s occurrences are often a separation of dots spread out within our lifetime, and as Steve Job puts it, their connection is better understood looking backwards rather than looking forward. In this profound speech given by Steve Jobs at the 2005 Stanford University commencement ceremony we see the heart of a wise man as he shares three stories from his life that teach us the lessons hidden in every mystery. He talks about his path to “connecting the dots,” love and loss, and how he uses death as the tool for living life each day to the fullest. He reminds us that it’s not about the trials that make us, but the way that we sort every incident in life-through patience, love and the realism of what life can bring if we just open our minds to the possibilities.  His speech reiterates the importance of following your heart above all else, and knowing that eventually the dots will connect by allowing love to guide you in whatever you choose to do in life.

Stay tuned for screening dates by visiting the film’s website

An articulate, courageous reading by Jeni Steeber at the Listen To Your Mother Show in Spokane, WA on her decision to place her daughter for adoption. 39 years old, going through a divorce, and already parenting a six-year-old, she describes her reasons for choosing adoption, and how all were motivated by love.

Lynn is a mother to five sons. After her second marriage, Lynn was unable to have more biological children. A surrogate carried her youngest twin sons, but she and her husband went through the adoption process. This is required when either the sperm or the egg donor is unknown.

Not only does Lynn have experience as an adoptive mother, but she also works locally in Alabama supporting young women who have an unplanned pregnancy. She suggests they look at IAC’s web site and other resources where they receive non-directive counseling about their options.

Please take two minutes to view Lynn talking about her commitment to adoption and the IAC. There are also beautiful photos of Lynn and her family, including the surrogate mother who gave birth to her youngest sons.

It’s a big question to ask yourself–should I place my baby for adoption? When you are confronted with an unplanned pregnancy, however you choose to ‘deal with it’ will affect you forever. For many potential birthmothers it’s the most life altering decision they have ever made. This was definitely the case for me. At sixteen, I had never had to make such a serious decision as the one I made when I chose to place my son for adoption. Though truthfully, (for me) it was the EASIEST difficult decision I have ever made.

Adoption isn’t for everyone. Although I know that placing my son for adoption was the perfect decision for me, I realize that we each have a unique path. I have friends who have had unplanned pregnancies at young ages that made different decisions. Some of them aborted, more than once. I knew a girl who had had three different abortions and it didn’t bother her at all. That was her path. But one of my other friends had also had three abortions and it did bother her, it hurt her and maybe that wasn’t what her path was supposed to be. She is now parenting a son and recently admitted to me that she was sad she had chosen this path, she wishes she had placed. It’s a hard thing to realize you are in over your head. I grieve for her often. I have another friend who not only decided to parent but also married the father. They now live in a cute apartment in Irvine. He works a great job; she stays home with their amazingly brilliant three-year-old and their life is full of love and joy. Different paths.

When I was weighing the pros and cons of placing my son for adoption a lot of clear things came into place for me. I was young, still in high school and had plans for college. I also didn’t have a job, didn’t have a driver’s license and didn’t have a clue. The birthfather, while being a nice guy, was even more clueless than me and wholly less competent. Looking back, I realize that we would have made each other miserable trying to co-parent. Luckily my parents saw that there was another option and told me about adoption. I had no idea what an open adoption might look like, but with the idea of raising a child looming above my head, I felt like it might be the best next step.

Open adoption has so much heart. To me it seemed like a win-win-win. I would get the joy of being a teenager and going on with my life exactly as I had planned (job, car, college, life, love, marriage THEN kids). The adoptive family would be able to grow and to raise a baby all their own. And the baby would enjoy the freedom of not having been unplanned and the joy that comes with being a part of a family that wanted nothing more than to raise him. How could I not shout ‘Yes’ from the mountaintops?!

Even with all the sorrow that I held in my heart through the nine months of pregnancy it was always overshadowed by joy. I was sad that I wouldn’t be getting to parent my son. I have always wanted to be a mother and still stare longingly at babies around me. But I knew that it wasn’t the right time for me; there were too many opportunities I might miss out on if I kept him! If I hadn’t placed him, my life would not be as amazing as it is now…I know that! For my friend with her baby and family in Irvine, I know that her life is exactly how it should be. And she loves every second of it. She’s a wonderful mom and they are a wonderful family. Their joy is overflowing.

So I guess you are still wondering, “Is adoption right for me?” The truth is…yes…or…no. The truth is whatever is true for you. As I said, it’s a hard decision. But, the right decision, regardless of what your friends or family or even the birthfather say, it is a decision that is yours. A birthmother has to look at the situation from all sides and really feel what is right. A birthmother knows that even though it hurts, her gut is pointing her in the right direction. Parenting is the right decision. So is placing. Because as I said, different paths for different people. No matter the decision, just make sure it’s right for you.

So, whatever you do on your special day, remember that your experience is unique and that you are free to feel however you feel. Some birthmothers may want to spend time with the adoptive family and others may want to be alone or hang out with family and/or friends.

I’ve put together a couple ideas to help you prepare for the time surrounding the holidays and anniversaries related to your adoption. I hope they are helpful to you.

Meaningful ways to express yourself
and to process your feelings:

• Talking or writing in a journal
• Take a walk, jog or sit in a park
• Take a hot bath and/or read a book
• Listen to your favorite music
• Spending quality time with friends and family

These are all activities that can help you relax, reflect and rejuvenate your mind and body. You may do none of these things, you may do one, or you may do many, but it is your day to take care of you!

Ideas for writing:

• Journal about the year(s) and the feelings you have experienced, both recently and throughout the adoption process. You can also, think about the changes you have made in your own life because of this experience.
• Write a letter to the child you love and placed. Let he or she know how and why you chose open adoption and that you love he or she. Tell them about the good things that are happening in your life and anything that you have left unsaid until now.
• Speak with someone you trust. Tell them to listen not comment or advise Tell this person about what the year has been like for you. Cry, smile and laugh together.
• Read. This can be anything that offers meaning to you (a novel, short story or poem). Maybe even something you wrote at the time you placed.