Adoption Blog

You’re pregnant and considering adoption. You’ve been searching through adoptive family profiles and with so many great families, it seems impossible to choose. To make the process of choosing an adoptive family easier, first consider your ideal adoption situation. Not sure where to begin? These questions to consider before choosing an open adoption will help!

What sort of family do I want for my baby?

Do you picture your child in a two-parent household? What about a single parent? Would you consider an alternative family type, such as an LGBT couple? Knowing what you are and are not open to will help you narrow down your options from the beginning.

What would day-to-day life look like for my child?

There are many things to consider about an adoptive family’s day to day life. For example, do both parents (if a two-parent household) work full-time? If not, is there a stay-at-home parent? Who will look after the child when the parents are not available? Will the child be in daycare? Think about what your ideal situation would be and don’t hesitate to discuss these needs with your adoption coordinator.

Where would my child live?

Many birthparents are interested in adoptive families who live in their state. Not only could this make legal processes easier, but it can also provide comfort to know your child is nearby. On the other hand, birthparents are also open to an adoptive family in any state, as long as they are the right fit. Would you prefer a quiet countryside for your child or the hustle and bustle of the city? Are you looking for waterside or mountainside? AdoptList works with families from all over the country. Use our regional search filter to find the adoptive family in your preferred location.

What will my child do with their adoptive family?

If you had the choice of any type of upbringing for your child, what types of hobbies and interests would they have? Would they play sports, be involved in music or theater, perhaps travel the world? The life that you envision for your child is possible, and our families waiting to adopt have a diverse list of hobbies, interests and activities they enjoy.

Can the adoptive family offer a well-rounded education for my child?

From charter school, public school, private school and homeschooling, there are a handful of options when it comes to a child’s education. Feel free to ask questions about education plans when speaking with adoptive families. Once you have an idea of your education goals, you and your adoption coordinator can start narrowing down the options from our online library of adoptive parent profiles.

Will my child know about me?

One of the biggest benefits of open adoption is that your child will know who their birthmother (or birthparents) is. If it is right for you, you can even choose to stay in touch with your child and the adoptive parents. With open adoption, your child will know about your loving and unselfish choice right from the start.

Can I visit my child in person?

This answer will depend on the terms of your open adoption. While some open adoptions include in-person visits, others are limited to phone and email contact. If in-person visitation is something you would like, discuss this with your adoption coordinator. They can connect you with an adoptive family with similar expectations.

Is adoption right for me?

This is perhaps the biggest and most important question to ask. Placing a baby for adoption is a permanent decision, so making sure you are 100% in your choice is crucial. There are many reasons birthparents choose adoption, and no reason is more significant than the other. If you have questions about reasons to consider adoption, our adoption coordinators are available 24/7 to take your call.

The staff at AdoptList understands that placing a baby for adoption is a tough choice. We also know you probably have more questions than what was covered in this article. We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer guidance and support.