Recently, I have posted about open adoption and tried to define what an open adoption typically consists of. I believe that open adoptions are beneficial to the children, in most cases. As I’ve said before, there are varying levels of open adoption and open adoptions are not legally binding.

Adoption is a life altering experience for all those involved. It is thought that open adoption makes the pain, grief, and loss issues less severe for each triad member. As a birthmom in an open adoption, I’m not sure that that’s true, but it is what my research is telling me. Another benefit for birthparents is the sense of peace of mind that they have in getting to watch their child grow up. Open adoptions do eliminate the secrecy and wondering involved with closed adoptions.

Open adoption is not for everyone. There are times when it may not be in the best interests of the child. Some birth parents do not choose open adoption because they fear that visits or too much contact will cause them pain. Having an open adoption, I know first hand, that it can be painful, emotional, and heart breaking at times, but it’s something I believe in and I do it because I think it’s the best thing for both of my sons. Some birthparents and adoptive parents feel it may be too confusing to the child. And others may see it as a form of co-parenting.

If you are considering adoption for your unborn baby, take some time and educate your self about open adoption.

The main goals of open adoption are:
To minimize the child's loss of biological relationships.
To maintain and celebrate the adopted child's connections with his or her biological family.
To allow the child to resolve losses with truth, rather than the fantasy adopted children often create when no information or contact with their birth family is available.

To be continued........

Source: . http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_openadopt.cfm