Navigating Adoption in Colorado When You Already Have Children
An unexpected pregnancy can bring on confusing emotions and difficult decisions, even more so if you already have children. If you are a pregnant woman considering adoption, know that adoption agencies in Colorado are here to support you through your decision-making and the adoption process. This article addresses common concerns of expectant mothers who already have children regarding adoption.
Yes, Adoption is an Option
You absolutely can choose to place your baby for adoption, even if you already have children. As an expectant mother, your circumstances are unique to you and your family. Choosing adoption for your baby does not make you a bad mother—you are giving your baby the opportunity to grow up in a loving, supportive, and stable, home. This also applies to your older children—choosing adoption means that you are considering their developmental needs just as much as your baby’s.
Considering Adoption as an Expectant Mother
When thinking about giving a child up for adoption, you should reflect on your individual circumstances and act in the best interest of all of your children. Here are some factors you may consider:
Are you emotionally ready to support another child? First, assess if you can mentally handle the responsibility of parenting another child. Children should be surrounded by parents who are able to give them the care and attention they deserve. If you are not in the emotional position to take on this responsibility, adoption in Colorado means that your baby will go to a loving home that can provide the support every child needs.
Do you have enough time to balance a new baby and your existing children? Evaluate the amount of time each of your existing children need to feel supported. It can be difficult to juggle attention between multiple children, and before adding another little one into your family, you should ensure you have enough time to dedicate to their growth.
Are you in a financial position to support another child? Consider your ongoing financial situation and understand if you will be able to support another child financially. Adoption in Colorado provides your baby with a family that will provide the financial resources your child needs to thrive.
What are your personal future aspirations? You deserve to work towards your individual goals in life. Having a baby at uncertain times may delay or hinder your ability to achieve your goals. Adoption will enable you to keep growing yourself while giving your baby the gift of space to grow too.
Understanding Your Adoption Resources
If you are considering adoption for your baby, realize that Adoption Choices of Colorado is here to help you through your adoption journey. It can be difficult to navigate adoption as is, let alone with the added responsibilities of your older children. Here are some of the resources adoption agencies can give expectant mothers who already have children:
The expertise of adoption professionals: just thinking about adoption can be overwhelming. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we provide you with guidance through the entire adoption process, from paperwork to potential adoptive families to post-adoptive planning. We understand that you have unique needs, and we will tailor our guidance and planning around your circumstances.
Counseling services: adoption is an inherently vulnerable process. Professionals at Colorado adoption agencies can provide emotional support during the entire process and take steps to make you feel comfortable. Adoption agencies will also make sure that you fully understand your rights as a birth parent and make informed decisions.
Profiles of potential adoptive families: you will have an opportunity to choose the home your baby goes to by thoroughly examining family profiles and perhaps engaging with the potential adoptive family. All potential adoptive families at Adoption Choices of Colorado undergo extensive screening processes and home studies, ensuring that your baby will go to a loving and supportive environment.
Support after the adoption process: we understand that your journey with your baby does not have to end after the adoption process takes place. Adoption agencies will provide you with resources about open adoptions if they appeal to you. Additionally, the support of adoption professionals can remain ongoing after the adoption.
As a mother of existing children considering adoption, choosing adoption ultimately shows your great level of selflessness and care towards your baby, your children, and yourself. Adoption means that your baby will grow up in an environment where they can thrive. Adoption Choices of Colorado is here to help you feel seen during this process and help you make the best decisions for you and your family.
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!