Now that we have explored the parenting option and I have provided you with some resources for parenting, let’s explore the adoption option. You’ve thought long and hard about it and you feel like adoption is going to be in the best interests of your baby and you are ready to move forward and begin making an adoption plan.

So, where do you start???

Well, I think one of the initial things you need to think about is what type of adoption you hope to have as that answer will dictate the agency or adoption professional you work with and ultimately dictate what type of adoptive family you will choose.

There are three basic types of adoption: open, semi open, and closed. Each basic type has varying degrees with in it.

Closed adoption is pretty self explanatory meaning that you probably will not choose the adoptive parents for your child and will not know anything about them. You also will not receive pictures, updates, and information about your child over the years. An expectant mother choosing a closed adoption rarely happens nowadays and was the only form of adoption for older birthmothers.

In semi open adoptions, you may or may not choose the parents of your baby and you typically can receive pictures and letters for a specified amount of time through the agency or another third party but identifying contact information is usually not shared between the adoptive family and yourself.

Open adoptions can be trickier to define as each one is unique and different to that party’s wishes and desires but often include exchange of identifying contact information, pictures, letters, phone calls, visits, etc. Keep in mind that open and even semi open adoptions are not legally enforceable so you are going to have to put your faith and trust in the family that you choose to stay true to their word.

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The Journey Series:
Part 1
Which Road To Take Part 2 A and Part 2 B
Part 3: Parenting Resources
Part 4: Necessities for Your Baby