Welcome to the World of Adoption
By Bruce Kong
Considering that you are reading this blog now means you are not giving up. Adoption may be one of the most incredible options that birth mothers can do when they find that raising a child may be too much for them. It’s hard going through an unexpected pregnancy, and at Adoption Choices of Colorado, we share empathy in your struggle. As someone who is pregnant and considering adoption, it is only fair to welcome you to the world of adoption. We will help you define the term “adoption,” the three levels of openness of adoption, and a few pros and cons that birth mothers might consider when choosing to place their baby for adoption. It’s never too late to consider a Colorado Adoption, and while it may seem intimidating at first, you are doing something special for the adopting family and your child.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
What is Adoption?
At the first sound of this word, we are all familiar with what it is and can draw a clear-cut image of the word adoption when we hear it. But at times, we find it difficult to use words to define “Adoption.” So, let’s get to the basics of defining words. Adoption is the legal process where birth parents terminate their parental rights to their child, which is then granted to the adoptive parent.
The key thing to remember is that once you have adopted your child into another family, they have legal rights over the child. But that does not mean you lose connection or communication with them.
Three Levels of Openness When Choosing Adoption
According to the Colorado Adoption Laws and even the universal adoption laws, there are ongoing levels of communication between the birth parent and the adoptive parents. As the birth mother, you get to choose between three levels of openness during the Adoption Process:
- Open Adoption: Open Adoptions share information and have contact with each other. This includes phone numbers, emails, and addresses. It allows for the two parties to keep I’m efficient communication so that the outcome and adoption process for the adoptee will run smoothly.
- Semi-open Adoption: These are associated with open adoptions but with a slight distinction. Semi-open adoptions communicate effectively through both parties, but the difference is that the adoption agency or professional is the middleman who relays messages from one party to the other. And the types of communication is the same as adoptions (phone, email, letters).
- Closed Adoption: This is a form of communication in which both parties have no form of communication with each other. Everything remains confidential, and the result usually concludes in the birth mother losing connection with her child.
Pros of Adoption
- A child receives a life of opportunity, but this does not mean that your child would not have an opportunity if you decided to keep them.
- As the birth mother, you would receive support and a new start after the Adoption Process. Financial assistance along with emotional support will be available to birth mothers! A birth mother scholarship program is available for birth mothers striving to pursue an education.
- One of the other important pros of adoption is that you are giving adoptive parents a second chance at becoming a family. At times, most couples cannot have children: the more formal term for this is “infertile.” We will partner with you to help make the adoptive parent’s dreams come true!
Cons of Adoption
- After the adoption is over and you’ve said goodbye to your child, there is no doubt that you will experience grief. But it is completely normal for a birth mother to go through this process, and unfortunately, you won’t be able to avoid it. But don’t worry. Adoption Choices of Colorado is here to help you through that process!
- A lot of the time, birth mothers have stated that going home alone after giving birth is the worst experience. Knowing that your child is living a better life is one thing; coming home without your child is a different feeling.
Still Unsure if Adoption is Right for You?
At the end of the day, the choice is yours. Putting up your child for adoption is never an easy choice: the emotional challenges that come with it are far more valuable than the financial challenges.
You will need a moment to reflect on your choice and consult a professional when appropriate. Remember, Adoption Choices of Colorado is here to support you. Know that you are never alone in your journey.
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!