Open Vs. Closed Adoption
Open Adoption
Open Adoption is about choosing the adoptive parents and knowing them well enough to trust them with your precious child. You will be presented books created by hopeful adoptive parents. We will support you in establishing a relationship during your pregnancy with the adoptive couple. With an open adoption you have the option of direct and ongoing contact with adoptive parents both pre and post birth.
Open adoption gives a child some of the most fundamental answers the child needs in life. The child grows up knowing that you made a loving and courageous decision to place with a family that you chose. And the child grows up knowing you.
Open adoption gives adoptive parents the tools they need to better understand their child. Knowing the birthparents helps the adoptive parents understand the child’s genetics.
Open adoption answers two of the most basic questions asked by birthparent(s): Is my child safe? How does my child feel about me?
Studies support openness in adoption. They also have shown us that children are not confused by open adoption. The child grows up knowing that their birthparents and adoptive parents love them.
Confidential or Closed Adoption
We respect the wishes of birthparents who prefer to have little or no contact with the adoptive parents and want to have a closed adoption. Birthparents can elect not to choose the adoptive family and just give us general guidelines to follow in making selections. The birthparents can decide later to open the adoption and will have our help in making this happen. Whether open or closed adoption, the birthparents are not obligated to remain in contact following the placement. We have learned over the years that birthparents may fear there will be obligations placed on them for future contact. The need for contact varies from person to person and with life circumstances.
We respect the wishes of birthparents who prefer to have little or no contact with the adoptive parents and want to have a closed adoption. Birthparents can elect not to choose the adoptive family and just give us general guidelines to follow in making selections. The birthparents can decide later to open the adoption and will have our help in making this happen. Whether open or closed adoption, the birthparents are not obligated to remain in contact following the placement. We have learned over the years that birthparents may fear there will be obligations placed on them for future contact. The need for contact varies from person to person and with life circumstances.