Finding Her Son After 47 Years: Birth Mother Janet Munro Shares Her Story

Every adoption story has multiple perspectives—but we don't often hear directly from birth mothers.

In this deeply moving episode of From Foster to Forever, Rachel Fulginiti speaks with Janet Munro, host of the Roots and Branches Adoption Stories podcast, about placing her son for adoption in 1970, searching for him nearly five decades later, and the extraordinary reunion that changed both of their lives forever.

Janet shares what it was like to be a young unmarried woman facing an unplanned pregnancy during a time when secrecy and shame surrounded adoption. She opens up about the heartbreaking decision to place her son for adoption, the decades she carried that loss, and the remarkable series of events that ultimately led her to finding him.

Their reunion brought healing, answers, and a growing relationship—until tragedy struck when her son unexpectedly lost his life in a workplace accident.

This powerful conversation explores the lifelong impact of adoption, the importance of understanding every member of the adoption constellation, and why keeping the child's needs at the center is essential for foster, adoptive, and biological families alike. It provides powerful insight for adult adoptees, birth parents, adoptive families, and foster parents navigating the lifelong impact of adoption, offering compassion, hope, and profound insight.

In this episode:Janet's experience placing her son for adoption in 1970The realities faced by birth mothers decades agoFinding her son after 47 yearsThe emotional first phone call and reunionNavigating adoption reunion as adultsHealing through storytellingThe devastating loss of her son after reconnectingWhat adoptees should know before searching for biological familyAdvice for birth mothers considering reunionFoster care, adoption, and keeping the child's needs firstWhy open communication benefits everyone in the adoption constellation

Who Should ListenThis episode is especially valuable for:

Foster parentsFoster-to-adopt familiesProspective adoptive parentsBirth mothersBirth parentsAdult adopteesAdoption professionalsSocial workersAnyone navigating adoption reunionAnyone interested in trauma-informed parenting and family healing

Resources & LinksRoots and Branches Adoption Stories Podcast

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