Deciding to place your child for adoption is a deeply personal choice, and finding the right adoptive family is an important part of the process.
During your appointment, at Alpha Center, we’ll go over the basics of choosing adoptive parents, understanding adoption plans, and exploring the types of plans available. (Looking for a safe space to talk about your options? We’re here for you.)
Choosing the Right Adoptive Family/Parents
When selecting adoptive parents, it’s essential to consider what matters most to you. Licensed adoption agencies and attorneys provide detailed profiles of prospective families, helping you learn about their values, lifestyle, parenting philosophy, and more.
Think about:
- Shared values: Do you want your child to be raised in a family with similar religious, cultural, or ethical values?
- Parenting style: How do they plan to raise and nurture your child? For example, will they strictly enforce chores and other discipline-building activities? Or will they take a more hands-off approach?
- Location: Do you prefer a family nearby or in a different area?
- Communication preferences: Are you comfortable maintaining a relationship with the family post-adoption?
You’ll have the opportunity to meet and interview potential families, ensuring you feel comfortable with your choice.
What Is an Adoption Plan?
An adoption plan outlines how you want the adoption process to unfold. It’s designed around your preferences and helps guide everyone involved.
Your plan might include:
- Selecting the adoptive family: Decide how involved you want to be in choosing your child’s future family.
- Birth and hospital plan: Specify your preferences for the delivery, including who will be present and how you’d like to spend time with the baby after birth.
- Post-adoption contact: Define the level of communication you’d like with the adoptive family and child after the adoption.
Types of Adoption Plans
Open Adoption
This is the most common type of plan. It involves ongoing communication and allows you to form a relationship with the child and adoptive family through visits, calls, or letters.
Semi-Open Adoption
This plan is similar to open adoption, but all communication is mediated by a third party, like the adoption agency or attorney.
Closed Adoption
This is the most restrictive adoption plan and is less common than the other two options. With closed adoption, there is no contact between you and the adoptive family after the adoption is finalized. This can be beneficial if you want to remain anonymous for personal reasons.
We’re Here for You
At Alpha Center, we understand how overwhelming it can feel to navigate your pregnancy options. However, you’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.
Contact us today to learn how we’re here to help.