Adoption

Considering adoption? Each year thousands of women in America make this loving choice. While this decision is often difficult, it is a decision made with selfless love to offer a child the best life possible.

Chances are you have heard that adoption means you will never see your baby again. However, times have changed and so has adoption. Developing an adoption plan empowers you to create a positive future for yourself and your child. There are a few different adoption plans that you can choose from.  You might be happy to learn that you can choose the parents who will raise your child. You can also define the conditions of an ongoing relationship with your baby, if you so desire.

If you are thinking about adoption and would like to discuss your options call us to make an appointment.

Adoption Plans

Open Adoption: A plan where there is open sharing of information about birth parents and adoptive families. There is continued contact after placing the baby for adoption.

Mediated Open Adoption: This involves planned communication, spelled out in a written agreement between biological and adoptive parents while the child is growing up. The agreement is mediated by someone who understands the range of possibilities and is sensitive to the issues of both sides.

Semi-Open Adoption: Birth and adoptive families stay in contact by means of a third party which is usually the adoption agency or an attorney.

Independent Adoption: When these adoptions are carried out, counseling is not provided for anyone. The child is placed with the adoptive couple.

Closed or Traditional Adoption: With this plan, the birth parents and adoptive parents do not meet, do not share identifying information, and do not keep in contact.

Designated, Parent Initiated Privately Arranged Adoption: Adoptive parents locate a pregnant woman who is considering placing her child for adoption.

Adoption: Facts and Myths

When it comes to adoption, you decide your baby's future. You can select the parents and are always in control of your decision. You can choose whether or not to remain involved in your baby's life. We can help you navigate the information you need to make the right decision for you and your baby. Here are some myths and facts to consider:

Myth: Birth parents who care about their child would never consider adoption.
Fact: Birth parents who make adoption plans are really loving and caring people.

Myth: A birth parent will never know anything about her child and his or her adoptive parents in the following years.
Fact: As a birth parent, you can help to develop an adoption plan that has the level of openness you want to have.

Myth: Adoption is an irresponsible solution to an unplanned pregnancy.
Fact: Just because you got pregnant, doesn't mean you are ready to be a parent. It takes courage to place the needs of your child before your own.

Myth: A birth parent will eventually forget about the child she/he relinquished for adoption.
Fact: If you make an adoption plan for your child, you will not forget your baby.

Myth: All adopted children will grow up to have serious psychological problems.
Fact: When children are placed with adoptive families who are caring and sensitive, with continual support from the adoption agency, the risk of psychological problems is no greater for adopted children than for biological children.

Myth: A child doesn't really need a father.
Fact: Two-parent families, where fathers take their responsibilities seriously and parents support each other, are important for a healthy childhood.

Myth: No one can love a child as much as the birth mother can.
Fact: Adoptive parents can love the children as fully and selflessly as the biological parents. They can love them as much as if they had given birth to them themselves.