Planning for Adoption: Choosing an Adoption Type for Your Adoption Plan

Adoption is a journey that takes many forms. There are highs and lows. There will be tears of joy and tears of sorrow. Before you can take the first steps down the metaphorical adoption trail, you need a plan. Trying to navigate your way through on your own is unnecessary and way less fun. Luckily, you don’t have to do this alone. Adoption is never a journey you should have to go on alone, regardless of your situation.

If you’re new to the adoption process, this is probably all new territory for you. Adoption Choices of Kansas is here to guide you on your path to successful adoption. We will help you to create a road map and provide all of the resources and information you need. The first step in any great adoption plan is to, well, make an adoption plan.

What is an Adoption Plan?

An adoption plan is precisely as it sounds: a plan for the adoption process. We’ll help you layout a cohesive and concise plan so your entire adoption journey can go as smoothly as possible. From start to finish, adoption, and beyond, we’ll make sure you understand the process and have the support you need even post placement. A big part of the adoption plan is deciding what type of adoption is best for you. No one can tell you what will fit best into your life, so the best thing you can do is educate yourself as much as possible so you can make a confident and informed decision.

How do I Choose the Type of Adoption that’s Best for Me?

We can provide you with all of the information in the world, but, at the end of the day, only you know what’s best for you. Talking with your support system can help, but don’t ever let anyone sway your decisions. Listen to what your heart is telling you, and back it up with facts. Every pregnant woman considering adoption has her own needs and wants, and those shouldn’t be ignored when choosing an adoption type for your adoption plan. Your heart and gut are like your second brain, so use them accordingly.

What are the Adoption Types?

One of the great things about modern adoption is you have options. Through years of scientific research, we’ve learned that adoption is not a one-size-fits-all situation. The three types of adoption allow for personalization and tailoring to fit what works for you. You may feel pigeonholed with only three options; however, we will work with you to make sure the adoption type you choose addresses your concerns and meets your standards.

1. Open Adoption

Open adoption is a type of adoption where communication between the birth mother, adoptee, and adoptive parents is open. Information is readily available, and most birth mothers have great relationships with the adoptive parents and their child.

• Pros of Open Adoption: You’ll be reassured as a birth mother that your baby is in good hands and growing up happy and healthy. Additionally, you still have the opportunity to have a close relationship with them and the adoptive parents.
• Cons of Open Adoption: There’s a possibility of blurred lines and gray areas when it comes to communication. It may be difficult to avoid temptations to co-parent.

2. Closed Adoption

Closed adoption is a type of adoption where there is no communication between the birth mother and adoptive parents. In most cases, files with identifying information are also sealed.

• Pros of Closed Adoption: Closed adoption allows for you to remain anonymous. If you can’t or don’t want certain people in your life to know you had placed your baby up for adoption, this might be the best option.
• Cons of Closed Adoption: Birth mothers who choose closed adoption often face issues finding closure and moving forward. Not having updates or knowing how the baby is doing can be very difficult to deal with.

3. Semi-Open Adoption

A semi-open adoption is a middle-ground between open and closed adoption. Identifying information about the birth mother and adoptive parents is not shared, and communications are often mediated.

• Pros of Semi-Open Adoption: This allows for a level of openness that doesn’t involve direct communications. You can still send birthday cards, get frequent updates, and share important medical history information.
• Cons of Semi-Open Adoption: While you have ways of communicating, you may find yourself wishing you could have a closer relationship later. Oftentimes, semi-open adoptions end up changing to open adoption.

Choosing an Adoption Type for Your Adoption Plan

You’ll make a lot of hard decisions throughout the adoption process, and choosing an adoption type for your adoption plan can be one of the hardest. Arm yourself with knowledge and trust your gut. We’re always here for you to lean on when you need it or if you just have questions. We are adoption experts, and while we can help guide you to where you want to be, we will never force any decisions on you. We work with hundreds of women every year. Our main goal is to support women when they need it and give them all the resources and information they need. Use that big, beautiful brain of yours, and trust in your decisions.

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?”