How will I know if adoption is the right choice for me and for my child?
If you’re not ready to be a parent, it’s ok. You can still give your baby a beautiful life by choosing a loving couple to be your child’s parents forever. If that thought gives you some peace, you know you are on the right track.
Can I choose the family for my baby?
Yes! The adoption professional you choose to work with will have many adoptive couples and some single adoptive parents to choose from. All will have been assessed and approved. You can also choose a couple you know or has been recommended to you.
When my child grows up, will he or she disapprove of my adoption decision?
Because you will choose your child’s adoptive parents, you will choose a couple who will like you and honor you and your decision. With the parents you choose as role models, your child will also honor you and love you for the difficult and courageous decision you made. You will also choose parents whom you know will give your child a great life. Your child will appreciate you for the gift of a rich and wonderful life, that, at the time, you were not in a position to provide.
How can I be sure that my child will be loved and well cared for?
Every prospective adoptive family must be assessed and approved according to stringent standards set not only by the state in which they live, but also by the adoption professional facilitating the adoption. A social worker will meet with the family in their home before they are approved to adopt. Then, after the baby goes home, the social worker will visit their home several more times to ensure your child is well taken care of and is in trustworthy hands.
How much will my child know about me?
You will want to give a full social and medical history to the adoption professional handling the adoption for the benefit of your child. The adoption professional will provide forms for you to complete. If you choose to have ongoing contact with the adoptive family, your child will have continuing information from you over time.
How much contact can I have with my baby in the hospital and after the adoption?
You can spend as much time with your baby in the hospital as you like. When you are planning your child’s adoption, you can choose to have contact with the adoptive family after placement through photos, letters, emails, a personal website and if you desire, even personal visits. Or, if you prefer not to have any contact, confidential adoption is also possible.
How soon can my baby go to the parents I choose?
Most mothers want their baby to go home from the hospital with the adoptive family. Other mothers choose to place their child in interim care for a brief time to allow them time to make sure of their adoption decision. The laws of the state in which the adoption occurs will, in some cases, affect the timing of your child’s placement. For example, a legal waiting period may be imposed or the birth father’s rights may need to be addressed prior to placement.
Does the father of my baby have any rights?
Both you and the father of your baby have rights. If the two of you disagree about adoption or if you no longer have a relationship with him, the adoption professional will work with him and/or the courts to determine and terminate his rights.
Can my child find me if he or she wants to search someday?
Your child will likely never need to search to find you if you have had ongoing contact with the adoptive family. If you have lost contact with the family, your adoption professional will likely have a means for you to connect with each other, if you both desire contact. If you do not want your child to find you, the laws in the state where the adoption case is filed can determine how much information your child can access in the adoption file. Your adoption professional can explain.
Do I need an attorney, or do I pay an adoption professional to assist me with the adoption?
Most likely, you will not need an attorney but you are entitled to have one if you choose. Adoption professionals typically provide services to you at no cost. If you do need or want an attorney, usually those costs are paid by the adoptive family.
Can I get help with medical and living expenses while I’m making an adoption plan?
Assistance with medical and living expenses is available in most cases if you have need of assistance. Ask your adoption professional about the availability for financial help.
View All 
RSS Feed 
