All About The Benefits of Choosing Adoption (For Every Member Of The Triad)
By Nicole Hatton
Making the decision to go through the adoption process is a vital part of your child’s life. Whatever the circumstances are, unplanned pregnancy or not, we understand that this decision impacts you, your child, and possibly the birth father. It can take a toll on you mentally and feel overwhelming to look through the numerous local adoption agencies. However, after spending the necessary time to discuss and maul over the decision, there are multiple benefits to choosing adoption. These benefits impact every member of the triad, which are the birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of adoption for these different groups of people.
Benefits of Adoption For Birth Parents
Birth parents may choose adoption because they believe that it will provide their child with a better life. At the time of having the child, the birth parents may not be in a suitable position for support. Taking care of a child demands stability in a variety of aspects, such as a financial and secure environment. It is a huge time commitment and responsibility that may be too much to take on. The birth parents could be at different points in their lives. Focusing on yourself can prove to be beneficial by giving you more time to do other activities. The opportunities that would become more open could be career, educational, or personal goals. Additionally, it could be good emotional relief. It may feel like you are giving your baby up for adoption, but you are not giving up. You are not giving up on your baby or yourself. Adoption is an empowering decision that takes a strong and caring person to go through with.
However, if the birth parents choose to do an open adoption, then they could have more choice and control. They would have a say in who the adoptive family is and get to know the adoptive parents. This is beneficial because it can provide a sense of reassurance that your child is doing OK. You can have ongoing involvement with your child throughout their life. The amount of contact will be up to you and the adoptive family. You can share pictures letters, and even pay some visits if both parties are comfortable.
Benefits of Adoption For Adoptive Parents
Adoptive parents may have a desire to fulfill their own parenthood. Some families may not be able to have their own baby and want to provide a loving home to a child. It can help to build a family or give their children siblings. Furthermore, adoption can offer diverse and inclusive families because it is open to anyone. Overall, raising an adoptive child can lead to personal growth, resilience, and learning lessons.
Benefits of Adoption For The Adoptee
The adoptee would be able to grow up in a stable and supportive environment that their biological parents may not have provided. Having a better environment would positively contribute to their physical and mental well-being. They could also be provided with more opportunities for better education and personal development. Additionally, if the birth parents still choose to be a part of their life, they would have an extended support system. Having sources of care from both their adoptive and birth parents could benefit them in the future. This guidance can extend into legal rights and security, giving adoptees inheritance and medical decision-making.
If you choose to do an open adoption, your child can benefit from this connection and find comfort. Having a direct connection with their birth family allows them to have a better opportunity of finding their identity. They could understand themselves better, have less curiosity about family background, and have a better understanding of their adoption.
Getting Started With The Adoption Process
The first step is looking out for adoption agencies in Colorado and discussing adoption info with an adoption specialist. It’s important to be on the same page and make sure your agency knows where you are coming from. A lot of local adoption agencies will offer similar services but could have different price ranges. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, however, you will be provided with free counseling. Your adoption specialist will be there to guide you through every step of the process, even after your adoption. You can decide on what adoptive family you like together, create an adoption plan, and more. We are happy to provide you with post-placement support and other resources as well.
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!