All About Private and Open Adoptions
By Mohammed Ahmad
Adoption Choices of Colorado offers many variations of adoption. This may include what we call a private or open adoption. Many birth mothers may choose to take on a full private adoption. Through this article, we will discuss what private adoptions entail and if this is the right decision for you. Please keep in mind that through this entire process, your comfort and approval come first. We want you to know fully what the adoption process is like.
Considering adoption? You’ve come to the right place. Adoption Choices of Colorado offers many great resources for you as the birth mother. Before considering the adoption process, it is highly important that you think it through. Adoption is a huge process that requires full intention. We want to ensure that you, as the birth mother, are comfortable. We want you to ensure that this is the right decision for you. You may be feeling doubts or high emotions while thinking about the adoption process.
This is something completely normal and validated. You, as the birth mother, may feel confused or unsure about the adoption process and what it entails. You may want to go through with the adoption process but still want to keep in contact with your child. There are many adoption agencies in Colorado that ensure you are entirely informed about the adoption process.
Is the Adoption Process For Me?
Before choosing, it is critical to understand the different types of adoption you can have for your baby. Giving your baby up for adoption can be an emotionally heightened process. It can be challenging, and we want to provide as much emotional and physical support as possible. Our goal through this all is for you to have the safest and best adoption for your baby.
Private Adoption in Colorado
A private adoption is a choice that many birth mothers make. You may feel that it is best not to keep in contact with your child. Birth mothers may choose this option to ensure the best quality for their baby. As we mentioned previously, the adoption process is an emotionally heightened one. Choosing to have no contact with your child can be a big decision to make. Private adoption in Colorado consists of no contact between you and the adoptive parents. It also means no contact with you or your child.
This means that the adoption process will be ensured through child placement programs. You don’t have to meet the parents or keep in contact with them whatsoever. The child will not be informed that they will be adopted. Moreso, you, as the birth mother, may never have contact with your child again. These words may be difficult to comprehend, but these are the primary rules of private adoption.
What else does this mean? The adoptive parents may not reach out to you for more information on the child. They may also not share with you any medical or social aspects of the child as well. The child becomes fully a part of their family. Once the child gets older, they may also not get answers about their birth mother. The adoptive parents have a choice on whether or not they want to reveal any information about you.
As you think about what route you want to go down, it’s important to keep your child’s future in mind. What do you believe is the right decision for your baby’s future?
Public Adoption in Colorado
Open adoption is another route that you can choose. This may be the most popular choice that birth mothers appreciate. This process allows you to have full contact with your child and the adoptive parents. You and the adoptive parents may settle on an agreement about how much contact you can have. This can include many things, from letters to pictures and videos and even phone calls. You may also be allowed to have visits, depending on what both you and the adoptive parents agree on. Through this process, there is usually a contract that determines what contact is accepted between both parties.
During an open adoption, you and the adoptive parents may develop a strong relationship. It involves both parties exchanging contact information and staying in contact for as long as possible. This ensures that you are updated and aware of your child’s growth and progress. You may also be given updates through notes or messages in regard to your child’s progress in life. Milestones are something that you can be a part of and update about occasionally. Open adoption in Colorado ensures that you are comfortable with the amount of contact given to you. There are many local adoption agencies that will ensure a successful adoption process. Whether you had an unplanned pregnancy or a planned one, these resources are always available to you.
More Information About Adoption In Colorado
You have all the access to any and all adoption info. This can help you choose which route you think is best for you and your child. Think about your child’s long-term and short-term necessities. Local adoption agencies in Colorado are here to help you throughout the entire process. Think about what you want for yourself and your child’s future. Whatever decision you make, Adoption Choices of Colorado is here to support you. Call us today, and let’s help you plan the safest and most comfortable adoption.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!