CHOICES

Many birth mothers who decide they are not ready to parent a child consider adoption or abortion as alternatives. Adoption is a choice, just as abortion is a choice. The choice is yours, so consider the following questions to examine what your choice should be:

We encourage you to choose adoption, as an informed, intelligent and loving decision.

Should I Place My Child for Adoption?
The decision to place a child for adoption is a difficult one. It is an act of great courage and much love. Remember, adoption is permanent. The adoptive parents will raise your child and have legal authority for his or her welfare. Evaluate your situation and compare it to the emotional, spiritual, and financial stability of an adoptive family. You need to think about these questions as you make your decision.

Have I Explored all of the Possibilities?
Pregnancy can affect your feelings and emotions. Are you only thinking about adoption because you have money problems, or because your living situation is difficult? These problems might be temporary. Have you called Social Services to see what they can do, or asked friends and family if they can help? If you have done these things and still choose adoption, you will feel more content with your decision.

Will the Adoptive Parents Take Good Care of My Child?
Prospective adoptive parents are carefully and thoroughly screened by Adoption Advantage and they give a great deal of personal information about themselves. Social workers visit their home, they must provide personal references, they undergo a criminal background check and child maltreatment checks before they are approved. They are taught about the special nature of adoptive parenting before an adoption takes place. By the time our agency has approved adoptive parents for placement they have gotten to know them very well and feel confident they would make good parents. This does not promise that they will be perfect parents, but decent people who really want to love and care for your child.

Will My Child Wonder Why I Placed Him (or Her) For Adoption?
Probably. But adoption today is very different from what it was when you were growing up. Most adopted adults realize that their birth parents placed them for adoption out of love and because it was the best option available. Hopefully, your child will come to realize that a lot of his or her wonderful traits came from you. If you have an open adoption, it is likely that you will be able to explain to the child why you chose adoption.

Is This The RIGHT Decision?
If you chose adoption because you, or you and your partner believe it is best for the child, then you have made a good decision. Now is the time to move forward and not feel guilty about your decision. Remember, the choice you make for your child will be one of the most important issues of your life. You must make the choice that is best for your child. No one ever wants to place their child for adoption. Adoption is a choice that should be made with facts, not emotions.

There Are Two (2) Types of Adoptions, Confidential and Open

Confidential: The birth parents and the adoptive parents never know each other. Adoptive parents are only given "non-identifying" background information about you and the birth father that they would need to help them take care of the child, such as medical information.

• Least Open - You and the possible adoptive family will speak on the telephone and exchange first names.
• More Open - You can meet the possible adoptive family. Your social worker or coordinator will arrange the meeting at the adoption agency or attorney's office.
• Most Open - You and the adoptive parents share your full names, addresses, and telephone numbers. You stay in contact with the family and your child over the years, by visiting, calling, or writing each other. We specialize in OPEN ADOPTIONS, call to speak to the agency director to find out more.