What is Open Adoption and Why is it The Preferred Option in Kansas?
When you’re exploring adoption, you should make choices based on your own needs and wants. However, if you’re finding it hard to decide on a specific type of adoption, you may have turned to the internet for suggestions. It’s no secret that open adoption is the most popular adoption type. In fact, most adoptions nowadays have some openness level. But, just as adoption is not for everyone, no one adoption type is right for everyone. This is why there are three types of adoption with varying degrees of customization.
Trying to navigate adoption and all of its options can be tricky. That’s why Adoption Choices of Kansas is here for you. We’ll make sure you understand each adoption type and why it may or may not be a good fit. An open adoption is a great option, but it’s not for everyone. As an adoption agency, we advocate for adoption, but we’ll never pressure you into any decisions. Our goal is to make sure you and your baby are taken care of, and you have the resources you need.
What is Open Adoption?
Open adoption, in a nutshell, is the type of adoption where the birth parents and adoptive parents share identifying information and remain in contact. No two open adoptions are the same, and there is a lot of room for interpretation and tailoring. Types and frequency of communication can vary, and every birth and adoptive family can choose to define their open adoption differently. Many birth mothers and adoptive families find close relationships and frequent contact a great way to support each other. However, you don’t have to be that close if you don’t want to.
Keep in mind, no matter how close the birth mother is to the adoptive family, open adoption is not co-parenting. After the baby is born, you will sign away your parental rights, just as with any adoption.
Why is Open Adoption the Preferred Adoption Type?
Everyone will have their reasons for why they chose open adoption and why it works for them. Open adoption can seem intimidating and challenging, but with new research, we’re seeing more and more benefits for everyone involved, especially for the child. So why is open adoption the preferred adoption type?
- Adoption has Changed for the Better
Everything changes and evolves with each new generation. Adoption was once only spoken of in hushed tones and treated with the utmost discretion. Now, thanks to so much research in the last few decades proving open adoption to be beneficial to the child, adoption can shake off its unnecessary stigma.
Not just adoption, but open adoption has become so much more widely accepted and recognized. An estimated 95% of all adoptions have some level of openness. Now more than ever, birth mothers, adoptive parents, and adoptees feel comfortable sharing and being open about their adoption experiences and putting adoption in a positive light.
- Open Adoption Gives You Options
Dealing with an unplanned pregnancy can feel like you’ve lost control of your life. Open adoption allows you to take back the wheel and regain a sense of control. You choose the adoptive parents, how much communication you want, and more. With more control over your adoption journey, you can feel more confident in the decisions you make.
- Open Adoption Gives You a Sense of Security
In an open adoption, you’ll meet with the adoptive family before your baby is even born. This way, you can reassure yourself that you made the right decision in hand-picking them. Getting to know the adoptive family who will be raising your baby will help ease the anxiety that your baby is happy and safe.
- You Get to Remain in the Child’s Life
Facing the reality that you can’t raise your child can be hard. Being able to see him or her semi-frequently and have open communication can make it easier. You get to watch them grow up, be there for milestones, and act as an additional support system. Again, open adoption is not co-parenting and not an excuse to co-parent. Open adoption is a unique opportunity for you to benefit from the perks of choosing adoption while remaining part of your child’s life.
- Birth Mother’s Report Easier Healing in an Open Adoption
One of the most significant emotional barriers that birth mothers face is healing and moving forward post placement. Adoption is a unique situation where you have to deal with loss and grief while the person you’re mourning is still alive. Open adoption means not having to close the book. Rather, moving on to a new chapter. Your baby is still here and will grow up in a loving home, and you get to watch it happen, knowing you made the right choice.
Why is Open Adoption the Preferred Adoption Type?
Adoption is so popular simply because it can be so much more, and it offers so much more. Whatever the need or desire was to place your baby up for adoption, getting to remain a part of your baby’s life and help them understand where they came from is truly a unique and beautiful opportunity. Talk with one of our compassionate and expert councilors at Adoption Choices of Kansas to see if open adoption might be a good option for you.
Adoption Choices of Kansas serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more!
Call Us 877-903-4488 or Text Us 316-209-2071
Meet the Author: Michelle Brugioni is a practiced, well-versed college-educated writer and avid coffee drinker. She has ten years’ experience as a freelance writer, and has written for an alarmingly wide range of clients and publications. She has written on topics like: life science, biopharmaceutical company acquisitions, dealing with anxiety, and creative drinking games.
As a fearless writer and masterful researcher, each time Michelle is approached with the question, “Can you write this?” she responds confidently with, “When do you need it?”
