Combatting Common Misconceptions About Adoption in Colorado
There are many misconceptions about adoption and the adoption process in general. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we understand that these misconceptions can sometimes lead to stereotypes that can be equally harmful to the birth parents, adoptive families, and the adopted children. Therefore, it’s important to address these misconceptions and try to combat them. However, this article cannot compile all of the misconceptions about adoption. It attempts to look into some of the most common misconceptions about adoption in Colorado.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
Putting Your Baby Up for Adoption: Misconceptions About Birth Mothers/Parents
- The Birth Mother is a Bad Mom and Selfish for Putting Her Baby Up for Adoption.
This is far from the truth! Adoption is one of the most difficult decisions to make as a birth mother. There are numerous reasons why birth mothers consider adoption. They might feel that they can’t raise the baby currently. Therefore they’d like for another family to take care of their baby. Birth mothers are not selfish for putting aside their wishes and desires and choosing the best option for their baby.
Teen pregnancy is another reason why birth mothers consider adoption. Many times the baby’s father may not be in the picture. A mother who desires a functional family and a bright future may decide to put her baby up for adoption. This makes birth mothers caring moms who simply want a better lifestyle for their baby. Regardless of why birth moms give their baby up for adoption, this is not an easy decision. It takes a lot of courage to come to this decision.
Often, birth mothers ignore the option of adoption and refuse to even consider it because of this harmful misconception, which is why it must come to an end. This misconception should not force mothers to raise children on their own in an unsuitable atmosphere, when in fact, a loving and caring adoptive family can welcome the baby into their family.
- The Birth Family Will Take the Baby Away
This can be a harmful misconception as well, especially because there is a lack of education regarding adoption laws. Colorado adoption law terminates the legal rights of birth parents. Birth mothers voluntarily terminate their rights when they create a Colorado adoption plan with Adoption Choices of Colorado. After this step, the baby cannot be taken away. If birth parents or other relatives were to take the baby away from the adoptive parents, it would be considered illegal.
Misconceptions About Adoptive Families
- The Adoptive Parents Won’t Love My Baby as Their Own
This misconception is quite common and can be the most harmful at times. It is important to remember that many of the adoptive families waiting to adopt have been doing so for a while. Often, they have gone through many other procedures before coming to the decision to adopt, such as IVF. Some may have gone through the painful experience of miscarriages. Even after they decide to adopt, they wait for even more to finally welcome a baby into their family. The adoptive families that are eagerly waiting to warmly welcome a baby into their lives will surely take care of your baby as their own. They will protect and raise them like any other family.
- Adoption is Never the First Choice
This is not true! While it’s important to acknowledge that couples do try to conceive on their own. There are many couples who have always imagined completing their family through the option of adoption. A common misconception is that mostly it is infertile couples and LGBTQ couples who opt for adoption. While it is true that these couples consider adoption, it’s important to also consider the fact that completely fertile couples also opt for adoption. Adoption is not the second-best choice. Adoption is a choice for anyone who makes the brave decision to become a part of this beautiful journey.
Adoption Options: General Misconceptions
Some misconceptions involve both the adoptive parents and birth parents, for example.
- It’s Better if Children Don’t Find Out That They Are Adopted
This misconception is important to be combatted. Especially because open adoptions are one of the most common ways to adopt. Many birth parents and adoptive families come to a consensus to opt for open adoption.
In an open adoption, birth parents and adoptive parents come to an agreement to be in direct contact with each other and share identifying information with each other. This option may even involve in-person visits. This would allow you as a birth mother to get to know the potential family your baby will be adopted by and allow you to stay in contact even after adoption.
Regardless of the level of openness of adoption you may choose, it is recommended that your adopted children know the details of their adoption. Just like you would tell them any other stories, your children should know about how they were adopted as early as possible. Gone are the days when adoption was looked upon as something to be ashamed of. In fact, adoption and adoption stories should be regarded with pride. If parents are secretive about the adoption of their child, then that can create emotions of shame for them.
In another case, if adoptive parents were to sit their child aside to specifically tell them about the time they were adopted, this would possibly leave a more negative impact. In comparison, if the child is well aware of their adoption story all along, it will allow for a more positive impact on them.
We Are Here To Help with Your Adoption Options in Denver, CO
Reading through these misconceptions can be difficult. It is crucial for such harmful misconceptions and stereotypes to be debunked. Such misconceptions can only be combatted through continuous and accurate education on the topic of adoption. But, until the general public becomes more informed, know that you are not alone on this journey. You will be able to make an informed decision regarding the adoption of your baby with us. Adoption Choices of Colorado understands the many fears and emotions you may be experiencing, and we are here for you.
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options in Denver, CO, 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 author: Ifrah Mohammed. Pursuing a Communications-Journalism Bachelor’s degree at Siena College, she is an aspiring content writer. A hard-working daughter of immigrant parents, she was born and raised in Queens, NY, and has resided in Fort Worth, TX. Her passions include writing and traveling. Moving around has allowed her to gain valuable perspective. When she is not writing or traveling, she is baking or reading. She currently resides in
Schenectady, NY, a town 30 minutes away from Albany.
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!