Why Are People Afraid of Adoption?
By Kaitlyn Chrisemer
When you find out you’re pregnant unexpectedly, it’s normal to be scared. Some might wonder why are people afraid of adoption? You have many different options, but making a decision can be scary too. Some or all of your choices for pathways moving forward may make you nervous. You might feel afraid when considering all of your available options. Adoption may be one path that scares you when you think about it. This is normal, but with more information, we at Adoption Choices of Colorado hope to ease your nerves. If you feel that adoption is the best choice for you and your child, don’t let fear sway your decision. Our adoption agencies want to help give you the information you need to make this difficult and emotional choice.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
Why Birth Mothers are Afraid of Adoption
Considering placing a baby for adoption can be scary. Birth mothers might be afraid of adoption for a few different reasons. However, Adoption Choices of Colorado hopes to provide information about private adoption, making it seem less scary.
The first main reason a BM might be scared of adoption is the judgment or lack of support from family. If a woman is experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and her loved ones are against adoption, she may feel cornered. Pregnancy can be very emotional, and birth mothers need a strong support system throughout the process. A woman may feel like she will lose members of her support system for making a decision they disagree with. This could lead her away from choosing adoption, even if she believes it is the best option.
Another main reason a birth mother might fear adoption is if she thinks she’ll regret her decision later. If a BM thinks she may want to keep her child after birth, she may be hesitant to consider adoption. Adoption is final after the finalization paperwork is signed. Some women may feel grief after the finalization because they won’t be able to see their child again. Others may be put off from fearing they’ll feel guilty after the adoption is finalized.
While these fears are valid, we encourage birth mothers to consider what they believe would be best for the child. At our private adoption agencies throughout Colorado, we always want to think about what would be best for the child. We want your child to have the best life possible with you or an adoptive family. We’re here for you to help you make this choice and support you no matter what your decision is.
Why are Prospective Adoptive Families Afraid of Adoption?
Families looking to adopt a child may also have their fair share of fears. The main fear that potential adoptive families generally have is that there are so many unknowns. In addition, some people fear that the child’s birth family will eventually want to get in contact with the child. This can be scary for adoptive families because it may feel like they’re losing their child to the birth family.
Another unknown that can make adoptive families hesitant is the child’s uncertain medical history. However, no one can truly know their whole family’s medical history, even when they’re biologically related. There are intricacies and abnormalities, no matter what. Plus, the medical field is always advancing, and there are screenings and tests for many potential risks.
Reasons not to be Afraid of Adoption
Although these fears are normal, the reality is that adoption shouldn’t be a scary option. Remember, sometimes doing the right thing can be scary. However, if you feel that adoption is the best decision for you and your child, don’t let fear stop you. Adoption Choices of Colorado can help inform and reassure you every step along the way. We understand that the adoption process can be daunting, but we will be there for you. Our counselors will help make your adoption plan work for you and ensure you’re comfortable with your CO adoption. In addition, we will help ensure that your child is placed in a loving home and you feel comfortable throughout the journey.
Adoption Choices of Colorado helps birth mothers with private adoptions everywhere in Colorado. We offer counseling 24/7 and are always here for you. We provide birth mothers with support, resources, information, and guidance throughout pregnancy and adoption. 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!