Adopting a Child

Bringing a child in need of a home together with a loving family who is longing for a child is a very fulfilling and emotional moment. Thousands of happy and successful adoptions occur every year, as adoption agencies and various adoption providers work to match children and adoptive families. While adoption is a joyful event, the adoption process itself can often be frustrating and confusing.

Choosing the type of adoption that is right for you and working with an adoption provider that looks out for your needs are both very important decisions that can affect the outcome and success of your adoption process. This is also true if you are on the other side of the adoption process. If you are the birth parent considering placing your child for adoption, it is important that you work with an adoption provider that will look out for your needs and assist you in the adoption process.

With so much to consider and the lifelong effects of any decisions made, it is important to gather information and make a decision based on knowledge and facts. Hopefully some of the information here will help you in your adoption journey.

Confidential Adoption or Open Adoption

Adoptions may be open or confidential. Whether you are the birth mother or adoptive parent, it is important to carefully consider the differences between a confidential adoption and an open adoption so that you can decide which arrangement you want to pursue. Either type of adoption can be the right one, but you will need to choose which type of adoption is best for you.

A confidential adoption (the current term for closed adoption) is an adoption where the birth parents and adoptive parents have no knowledge about each other, do not make contact with each other, and do not share any information that could be used to identify them. Non-identifying information is often provided to the adoptive family thru the adoption provider that may be relevant to the development of the child, such as birth parent height, weight, and medical history. A confidential adoption offers privacy and allows each party independence in their own life without interference from each other.

An open adoption is an adoption where the birth parents and adoptive parents have knowledge of each other. Open adoptions can vary in their degree of openness, and some may include agreements for contact in the future. The amount and nature of future contact is something that is decided between the birth parents and adoptive parents and written into the adoption agreement. While open adoptions may not appeal to everyone, for many families they are the choice that works best for them. Birth parents may be more comfortable if they are able to choose the family for their child, and adoptive parents may feel more comfortable when they are able to meet the birth parents and know they were chosen personally for the child. Many families appreciate the contact allowed in open adoptions and the accessibility to the people important in the child’s life and well-being.

Adoption Agencies

Most adoption agencies are concerned about the families they work with and strive to complete successful and happy adoptions. However, not all people enter the adoption business with good intentions. When choosing an adoption agency, consider these factors:

• Choose a licensed and legal adoption provider that is approved by the state in which you live, as adoption laws vary between states.
• Check references and research the company’s reputation with the State Licensing Agency, the Better Business Bureau, adoption chatrooms, adoption support groups, and any other sources available to ensure that you are working with a reputable adoption provider.
• Work with an adoption provider that handles the type of adoption you wish to pursue, whether it is a confidential or open adoption, a domestic adoption, or an international adoption.
• Does the adoption agency provide counseling and legal advice and support all thru the adoption process?
• If you are working with an adoption attorney, make sure they specialize in the adoption process and are knowledgeable about adoption issues, so that they are able to provide accurate advice and appropriate legal representation.

The Adoption Process

While the adoption process takes time, each step you take will bring you closer to adopting a child into your family. Take the time to read all you can about adoption and talk to other families that have successfully adopted a child, as knowing what to expect and what to watch out for can help make for a smoother adoption journey. Hopefully the information on our site is helpful to you and, as you read thru the various articles, that you find answers to some of your adoption questions.