Foundation For Large Families
Information email: largefamilies2001@yahoo.com
Single White Michigan Mother Adopts Nine Black Boys.
April 7, 2003
Ladenberger is a 52-year-old single White parent, but what makes her story unique is that she is the mother to 12 boys, nine of them Black males.
"I didn't know how a lot of people would accept that, but I knew it would not be difficult for me because I grew up cross-culturally," she says. "I was raised to be very open."
Ladenberger, divorced nearly 20 years, not only adopted because of her wish for a large family, but she adopted with the thought of giving a home to children who might not otherwise find a home.
"I wanted to take a child who probably was not going to be adopted out of the system, and it so happens that African-American males are the largest number," she says.
Ladenberger's modest, one-bathroom house located in a racially mixed neighborhood is home to Jay, 17; Anthony, 16; Malcolm, 14; Terry, 12; Matthew, 11; Joshua S., 11; Donnell, 10; Mark, 8; and Marcus, 2. Joel, 26, one of her three birth sons, lives at the home as well.
Even though the circumstances are a little different from most homes, Ladenberger admits that typical disruptions do occur.
"We're not the Waltons, that's for sure, and I'm not Mother Teresa," says Ladenberger, a Head Start teacher for 16 years. "We all have our moments, and there are fights, like any family."
She adds, "The biggest enjoyment that I get is from seeing them achieve things--not necessarily to achieve great things, but small achievements--the day-to-day things; to see them grow up."
Ladenberger receives funds from the state for each of her adopted sons because they are classified as special-needs children and came through the Family Independence Agency.
"All that money goes to the kids, and I live on what I make," she reveals.
Before she started adopting, Ladenberger talked with her three birth sons: Jon, 30, Joel and Joshua M., 23. She credits them for giving her a lot of support. She also credits close family friend Joseph Long for giving the boys a Black father figure.
Ladenberger says, "When you look and listen to those 12 and hear some of the things that come out of their mouths, you'd swear they've been brothers forever."
Jay was the first son adopted by Ladenberger. He bounced from foster home to foster home before uniting with her family.
"I remember when I was a little kid and people would say to me, `Hey, you have a White mom,'" Jay recalls, "I just said, `So.' I was just happy to get out of the foster homes."
The next adoptions were of birth brothers Anthony and Malcolm. Even though their adjustment was different from Jay's, it didn't take long before they were able to learn from it.
"It gives you a chance to learn both sides," Anthony reveals.
Ladenberger had another opportunity to keep a set of siblings together when she adopted birth brothers Terry, Mark and Marcus.
"I'm always saying that I'm done, and I've said, `This is it,' three times," says the mother.
Visitors to our site since June 9, 2003.
Back to articles page
