As the mom of two adoptive daughters and four biological sons, I have to say that I am glad our adoptions were closed. If they had grown up having contact with another family, I feel it would have given them the idea that they weren't as much a part of OUR family as our boys. They know they are adopted and we talk about it openly (they are a different race, so it is obvious anyway). If and when they decide (at least 18 years old) that they want to find their birth mothers, I will gladly help them do that. As children, I think that would be too much to handle. We adopted domestically, but through an adoption attorney instead of an agency to avoid open adoption. I'm sorry your adoptive mom hurt you with her comments. I try to be aware of what I say to them about their being adopted and never make a difference between them and our biological children. :grouphug: to you.

My daughter is a competitive gymnast as well. We call them "belly bands." Buy 1 inch elastic and measure your daughter's waist, then sew it together one inch shorter. Good luck!

I'm not very far from you in Weaverville, NC and our postman always honks if he has a package. It is annoying and IMO a little rude.

My daughter started the emotional stuff at ten and actually started her period the month after she turned 11. We never read a book, but had lots of talks about what she was and would be experiencing - both emotionally and physically. Good luck!