What Birth Mothers in Colorado Want You to Know About Adoption
Birth mothers come from all walks of life. They are strong and resilient women who choose a better life for their child. Adoption is a rewarding but, at times, challenging journey that comes with many unknowns. Adoption Choices of Colorado is here to share some advice from those who have been on this adoption journey before. Without further ado, here is what birth mothers in Colorado want you to know about adoption.
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 – It is Important to Have Support During the Adoption Process
Adoption is a journey that does not come without its challenges. You must develop a strong support system that will help you as you go through adoption. You can find support through friends or family. Even just calling them on the phone or chatting over zoom can be a great way to feel like you are not alone in the process.
You should also find a good adoption agency in Colorado that will support you when making your adoption plan. An agency like Adoption Choices of Colorado will guide you through the adoption process while also giving you the freedom to make your own decisions. You should never feel pressured to pick a certain type of adoption or choose a specific family for your child. You should feel supported and guided by your Colorado adoption agency every step of the way.
2 – You are a Family’s Hero
As a birth mother who is considering placing their child up for adoption, you have probably already experienced some form of judgment on your current situation as a mother who is not able to raise her child.
Know that you are a hero who can put your child’s needs above your own. You are choosing to carry out a pregnancy and face many unknowns so that your child can have a good life. You are not a selfish, irresponsible woman. You are a hero that is planning for your child’s future.
Know that the adoptive family who raises your child will see you as a hero too. After all, for whatever reason, they have turned to adoption to help begin or grow their family. You and your child will help make their dream of a family come true.
3 – You Will Always Be Connected to Your Child in Some Way
Depending on the type of adoption you choose, your contact with your child in the future will vary. If you choose an open or semi-open adoption, you will be able to have some form of communication with your child or even meet your child one day. If you choose a closed adoption, you will not have contact with your child in the future.
Know that whatever adoption type you choose, you will always have a connection with your child. You gave your baby life, and you gave your baby a future. A birth mother’s decision to choose adoption for her child sparks the creation of a beautiful family that connects people from different walks of life. Your love creates a strong connection between you and your child that can never be broken.
What Birth Mothers in Colorado Want You to Know About Adoption
Birth mothers, you are heroes. You are selfless, loving women who can put your child’s needs first and give them a better life. The world may not always recognize the value of your decision, but fellow birth mothers and adoptive parents will always see you as what you are: a hero. I hope that you feel supported and guided throughout your journey so that you know that you made the best decision for your child and your future.
Know that by choosing adoption for your child, you have started their adoption family story. Your child has a future because of you, and you will always be connected to your child because of this.
Are you ready to learn more about what adoption can mean for you and 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.
Hunter Frederick is a graduate of Siena College with a degree in English and a Theatre Certificate. She is the co-author of the virtual reality play, Paneless, along with the play, the Little Vagabond, based on William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience. She is also the co-author of a historical play, Yours, for the Oppressed, based on the lives of Albany Abolitionists, Harriet and Stephen Myers, who toured Underground Railroad Sites of New York State.
In her free time, you can find Hunter cooking in the kitchen while listening to Musical Theatre songs.
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!