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Post by Karen Brewer on Feb 8, 2008 13:45:57 GMT -5
I've been wondering how Mary Anne would feel if Sharon wanted to adopt her. Mary Anne has never known her biological mother and I know in many cases like this stepparents do this (this happened to me). Do you think Sharon would want to? Would Mary Anne want her to?
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Post by aln1982 on Feb 8, 2008 16:02:19 GMT -5
^ Interesting thought that I had never considered. I can see Sharon being very willing to adopt MA but MA wanting nothing to do with it - even being adamently against it. After all, in a few books she even says that she will never call Sharon "mom." I think somehow she feels like she'll be betraying her real mom by letting Sharon get close to her (if this makes any sense ;D) I do really enjoy their relationship and wish it was closer. I think it did get better as the series progressed, which I was glad for. I think Sharon would do anything for MA and would see her as a daughter if MA would just be more willing to accept her.
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starrynight
Sitting For The Kuhns
The Royal Diner of Pizza Express
Posts: 4,004
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Post by starrynight on Feb 12, 2008 11:52:30 GMT -5
^ I think Mary Anne would struggle with the idea, out of loyalty to her mother (even though she never knew her), but I think she'd come around. I never really thought of Sharon adopting Mary Anne, though. it just never occurred to me until I read this thread.
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Post by greer on Feb 12, 2008 17:03:59 GMT -5
I never thought of it either. Maybe if sharon had come into ma's life earlier. I don't know.
What about Watson adopting the Thomas kids?
My stepmom's friend was adopted after her dad died by a family friend she had known since childhood whom she was very close to. An unusual situation, but sweet, i think.
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Post by aln1982 on Feb 12, 2008 17:42:24 GMT -5
^ That is sweet.
I can see Watson adopting the Thomas kids. I was about to start a thread about that. ;D I think they would be more receptive than MA.
How do you think Dawn and Jeff would feel about Sharon wanting to adopt MA? What about Richard? I'm not sure.
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Post by greer on Feb 12, 2008 17:45:57 GMT -5
Hmm... I can see Verna being upset about it.
I think the Thomas kids, especially David Michael for whom Watson is the only father he's ever known, would be glad to let Watson adopt them. In Kristy's Big News, it's revealed that Watson is helping to pay for Charlie's college education. The only issue is that Patrick is still alive, so I don't know how that'd work. Even if it's not legal, I think the Thomas kids all see Watson as being the true father in their lives.
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Post by aln1982 on Feb 12, 2008 17:50:28 GMT -5
^ Ohhh, I never considered that.... I can see a potential fight between her and Sharon....
Agree about Watson being the true father. Wonder if Patrick would sign over his rights. Probably would make Watson pay him or something. ;D
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msstock87
Sitting For The Braddocks
Here Comes The Bride!
Created by Rie.
Posts: 3,618
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Post by msstock87 on Feb 12, 2008 19:43:15 GMT -5
I think Mary Anne feeling weird about it and not accepting it, but I think the Thomas kids would take Watson as their real dad. He was the true father figure in their life. I am not sure if Patrick would sign his rights over though. It seemed like SOMETIMES he cared....
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Penny Lane
Sitting For The Arnolds
The Girl With Colitis Goes By
Posts: 2,888
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Post by Penny Lane on Feb 12, 2008 20:43:28 GMT -5
If something happened to Richard though, do you think Mary Anne would continue to live with Sharon, or would she go to Iowa (is it Iowa? I can never remember). Lets just assume that Sharon would want to adopt Mary Anne.
I can see Patrick both signing over and not signing over his rights. He would still be their biological father, no matter what, and since he never sees them anyway... But I can see him not doing it, just to spite Elizabeth or to hold onto that last little link.
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Post by ringdings on Feb 12, 2008 21:14:57 GMT -5
I don't know how adoption works, but as far as paying for Charlie's education it doesn't matter who pays for it as long as the check clears.
Going back on topic, I think MA may be conflicted between being loyal to her mom's memory and making sure she doesn't hurt Sharon's feelings.
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Post by greer on Feb 12, 2008 22:06:44 GMT -5
I don't know how adoption works, but as far as paying for Charlie's education it doesn't matter who pays for it as long as the check clears. Going back on topic, I think MA may be conflicted between being loyal to her mom's memory and making sure she doesn't hurt Sharon's feelings. Oh i know that it doesn't matter who pays for it. I was simply giving an example of how close Watson was to the Thomas kids. |
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Post by ringdings on Feb 13, 2008 10:35:20 GMT -5
^^Sorry, greer. You're right--Watson was nice to pay for Charlie's education. He'll probably do the same for the other Thomas kids too. As mentioned in the stepfather thread, all the BSC stepfathers are pretty good to their stepkids.
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alula
Sitter-In-Training
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Post by alula on Feb 13, 2008 14:29:27 GMT -5
aln, if I remember correctly you haven't read the FF books, right? I think the relationship between Mary Anne and Sharon is definitely closer in those. (Actually I think there's more emphasis on family in most of the FF books.)
In case of Richard's death, he could leave directions that Sharon was to be MA's legal guardian, I believe, without Sharon adopting her. (And I think Richard would be scrupulous about leaving every detail in order for his family.) Verna might be able to contest the order, but at 13+ years, most judges are going to be relatively interested in a minor's wishes and in minimizing the disruption to her life in addition to blood ties.
I don't know if I'm in the minority, but I think it's absolutely fine for MA not to call Sharon "mom," and not to want to be adopted. I don't think it's about not being close to Sharon; it's about her desire to preserve her mother's unique memory, and I think it's a totally valid choice. Some people seem to think that it's based on an (irrational) fear of betraying her mother, but I don't think it's nearly such an either/or choice. And I think Sharon is generally respectful of that. My opinion may be colored by my own experiences, but I think it's a bad idea to force or pressure people into accepting "replacement" parents, and I also don't like the suggestion that Mary Anne's love for Sharon should be measured by be willing to be adopted. You can have a perfectly close, wonderful and loving relationship with a stepparent without that.
I frankly don't think Richard would be thrilled about it, either, unless he anticipated it being absolutely necessary for legal reasons, which again I doubt would be necessary.
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Penny Lane
Sitting For The Arnolds
The Girl With Colitis Goes By
Posts: 2,888
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Post by Penny Lane on Feb 13, 2008 15:14:23 GMT -5
Would Mary Anne want to stay with Sharon though, in the event of Richard's untimely death? Or do you think Mary Anne would want to go to Iowa and live with her grandparents? I can't decide what I think she would do.
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alula
Sitter-In-Training
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Post by alula on Feb 13, 2008 15:25:47 GMT -5
I'm not sure either, which is another reason why I think guardianship would be more feasible anyway. I think that in a lot of cases like this, teenagers choose to stay in their hometowns and high schools rather than relocate at that point.
My point was more just that Sharon wouldn't need to adopt Mary Anne, with all the emotional baggage that entails, for her to continue living in Stoneybrook, if that's what she wanted.
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