The choice to place your baby for adoption is a difficult one. Adoption is permanent and the adoptive parents will raise your child and have all legal authority for his or her welfare.
If you are thinking about placing your baby for adoption you need to consider these questions as you make your decision:
- Have I considered all the possibilities? Are the reasons you are considering adoption for your baby because of temporary problems? Money, housing, or not having a job at this time? Have you called Social Services to see what they can do? Have you asked friends and family if they can help you?
- Will the adoptive parents take good care of my child? Adoptive parents are screened and provide detailed information about themselves, their childhoods and their relationships today. They must provide references and pass a criminal history and background check. Adoptive parents are educated about the special nature of adoptive parenting before a baby is placed. Generally, it takes several months and few visits from a social worker before adoptive parents are approved to have a baby or child placed. Most adoptive parents want to adopt because they are emotionally, and financially ready to add children to their family.
- Will my child wonder why I placed him (or her) for adoption? Most adopted children do wonder why they were placed. However, today adoption is a lot different from what it was 20 years ago. Most adopted adults understand their birth parents placed them for adoption because of love, and knowing adoption was the best they could give their baby at the time. Adoptive parents have also learned to help their child understand that a lot of his or her traits, features and talents came from you. If you have an open adoption, it is possible you will be able to explain to the child why you chose adoption.
- Why am I placing my child for adoption? If the answer is because it is what you, think is best, for yourself and your baby then it is a good decision. It will be a decision you make that last a lifetime and it is important that you do not feel persuaded or manipulated into placing your baby for adoption. Take time to be sure in your heart and then get help deciding what type of adoption and the best method of placement feels right and works for you.
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For more information about parenting special needs children you might want to visit the Families.com Special Needs Blog and the Mental Health Blog. Or visit my personal website.