What is Adoption?
Adoption is a legal agreement that transfers guardianship of a child from you to another individual or family. We know when people read “legal agreement”, it can be daunting. Know that we will be there for you at every step to help you navigate the adoption process.
Types of Adoption
No two adoption agreements look exactly the same. Working with an adoption agency or organization, you are able to establish your boundaries and desires to make the best arrangement for you. Many agencies provide options for birth mothers to have considerable involvement in the selection of the family for her child.
Open Adoption
Open adoption allows for contact and communication between you, the adoptive family, and the child. This can be an ideal arrangement for women who are not in a place to raise a child but would still like to be involved in the child’s life.
Open adoption arrangements can include visitation, regular updates, photos, phone calls, letters, or other forms of contact. Your plan can be adjusted to fit your comfort level and the comfort level of the adoptive parents.
Semi-Open Adoption
In a semi-open adoption, the identity of all parties is usually kept closed, but some non-identifying communication is permitted. These interactions are typically facilitated by a third party like an attorney or adoption agency.
A semi-open adoption allows for some communication and interactions between birth mother and adopted child, but does not offer the same kind of relational closeness of an open adoption.
Closed Adoption
Closed adoption restricts all contact between you, the adoptive family, and the child. In a closed adoption, your name, contact information, and other information will not be shared.
Women who choose closed adoptions often decide that it is best for them to have no contact to move on from this chapter of their lives.
If you are interested in learning more about adoption, we are here to share our knowledge. Make an appointment today to speak with our staff about adoption and if it is the best choice for you.
