CO Adoption Misconceptions
By David Seamonson
Adoption has many unknowns, and it is hard to get past that when considering placing your baby for adoption. However, there are many mothers that are facing an unplanned pregnancy, and there are many families out there that want to help you and your child. Therefore, when considering a Private adoption in Colorado, you should know a little more about adoption. Adoption is a confusing time for many families, there are many CO adoption misconceptions. We will provide you with some clarifications that should help you through this process. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, there are many families that are looking to adopt your child, and we want to help you through this process. If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
1. I can’t decide who will adopt my child
Adoption agencies make this decision easier for you and outline your options based on what you feel comfortable with. This decision begins with deciding which adoption option would fit your needs. There are three main options: open adoption, closed adoption, and semi-adoption. Each allows for different selections of an adopting family.
- Open adoptions allow you to select and meet the adopting family. Then, you can create a contract with them to determine what works best for you.
- Semi-open adoptions do not allow you to meet the family, but you will be able to view the household research provided to you by adopting agents.
- Closed adoptions have the adoption agency choose the best family for you so that you do not have to worry about selections for your baby.
2. I won’t be able to see my child after the adoption
This is dependent on which adoption option you choose. In a closed adoption, you will not be able to see your child again. Other than that, the other two adoption options open the door to seeing your child. In an open adoption, you can make an adoption plan with the adopting family so that you could meet with your child in the future and be part of their life if you both can agree upon this. In a semi-closed adoption, you will not be able to meet the adopting family, but you will still be able to see your child grow up through pictures that the family can supply you.
3. The adoption specialist can’t help me
This is not true. Adopting agents are experienced in adoption law and building adoption plans. They can help determine the best fit for your child based on your preferences. An adoption specialist has knowledge in communicating between families and determining families that can properly care for a child. They have conducted household research on each of the families that have applied for adoption and will be able to share their thoughts if you need their help. These people have helped many mothers through an unplanned pregnancy, and they will be able to help you through these difficult decisions.
4. What if adoption isn’t right for me?
This may be the case, but a family is out there that can support, care for, and love your child. Adoption is not for one singular person since it is here to help in cases of unwanted or unplanned pregnancies. When these are the cases, you need to look at what you can provide for a child. Can you feed your child, spend time with your child, and be there in times of need? Adoption is open to everyone because there are families out there that can support your child and want to help. Adoption agents ensure that adopting families have an income that can support a child and have the time to raise your child into a great person.
How can Adoption Choices of Colorado help me?
Adoption brings on complicated thoughts, but when it comes down to it, people are available to help you through the process. Private adoption in Colorado places you in control of the adoption process, and any adoption agent will guide you to a family that will be an excellent choice for your child. 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.
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!