6 Facts about Open Adoption that Might Surprise You

If you are a birth mother considering open adoption, you may already have a general picture of what this process entails or could look like. However, every open adoption is different and even if you’re already familiar with open adoptions and the services Adoption Choices of Colorado provides, you may still only have a generalized picture. While we’ve written a lot about open adoptions, we’ve not yet discussed which facts about open adoption that might surprise you!

  1. Open Adoptions are Growing in Popularity

Closed adoption used to be the vast majority of adoptions. However, over the best few decades, this has shifted tremendously. Many birth mothers want the option to stay in their child’s life without being the primary guardian and caregiver. More and more nontraditional families who include birth mothers and adoptive parents are popping up all over the country. The more open adoptions occur, the more birth mothers realize they are in fact interested in this type of adoption

  1. Open Adoptions don’t All Look the Same

Birth mothers and adoptive parents work closely with their adoption caseworkers to determine what works best for them. Some birth mothers may want only occasional contact/updates via email or phone calls. Others may want to schedule annual visits. Still others may decide to be an active and regular participant in their child’s life. Each and every open adoption agreement is different.

Open adoptions can be used to describe a variety of situations and adoption plans! They are as unique as the birth mothers, adoptive parents and adoptees living them out. Adoption Choices of Colorado is here to support you in determining what the ideal plan looks like for you and your child.

  1. Open Adoptions Help with the Grieving Process

One of the facts about open adoption that might surprise you is that they can assist birth mothers in their grieving process. While not all birth mothers experience this, many report feeling complex emotions after placing their baby for adoption. Feelings of loss and grief are common, even when birth mothers knew from the beginning that adoption was the best choice for them. 

Open adoptions can help mitigate the painfulness of placing your child as you are still able to play a major role in their life. It can be healing and reassuring to know as you’re navigating this time that you are able to be in contact with their child whenever you are ready.

  1. Open Adoptions Benefit Adoptive Parents

Adoptive parents quite often love having birth mothers involved in their child’s life. While some people may picture adoptive parents as jealous or concerned about a birth mother’s involvement, families who choose to be adoptive parents in open adoptions are usually beyond grateful to have their child’s birth mother in his or her life. 

As a birth mother, developing a close relationship and good rapport with your child’s adoptive parents may not only benefit you, but also contribute to their wellbeing.

  1. Open Adoptions Support Adoptees

Adoptees who experience open adoptions often report feelings of appreciation and gratitude. Having both primary caregivers and parents, as well as their birth mother, involved in their life can give him or her a sense of safety and support. What’s more, adoptees who experience open adoption are confident and thankful for the opportunity to know both their adoptive and birth families. 

  1. Open Adoptions Create a More Stable Support System 

Open adoptions can benefit all parties because they create an extended family network of individuals who all care deeply for one another. Birth mothers, adoptive parents, adoptees and other siblings/family members associated with the open adoption all get to experience the support and love of a large family. One that has each other’s back and wants what’s best for one another. 

Facts about Open Adoption that Might Surprise You

If you are considering open adoption, be sure to talk to Adoption Choices staff today and set up a consultation with an adoption caseworker.  Our team will work alongside you to create the best open adoption plan for you, your child and their adoptive family. 

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.

Meet the AuthorKara Bringewatt is an English major and psychology minor at Queens University of CharlotteShe plans to get her masters in social work and work at a nonprofit as a case manager for at-risk youth. She loves using writing as a means of creating community and bringing attention to causes she’s passionate about. 

Kara is particularly interested in educational and mental health interventions for young people in foster care. She’s worked as a tutor, professional caregiver, preschool teacher and acting instructor, and loves being able to utilize her wide range of passions to support young people and plans on being a foster and adoptive parent. 

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