*Photo credit: Confessions of a Parent

Mike Berry, an adoptive parent and the author behind the blog Confessions of a Parent, is often asked how he handles having a relationship with his children’s birth parents. Berry has 8 adopted children, which account for 12 total birth parents. He knows some of those birth parents have made poor decisions, but Berry is committed to showing respect to the people who gave life to his children.

In his latest blog, Berry offers these 5 steps to form successful relationships with birth parents:

1. Talk About Birth Parents With Honor
2. Never Vilify Them
3. Hail Them As Heroes
4. Work To Form A Solid Partnership
5. Consider Them Part Of Your Family

Your children and their birth parents have a connection for life. Creating and maintaining a healthy relationship with your children’s birth parents will greatly benefit your entire family and your children.

Click here to read more from Mike Berry’s blog post.