Monday, April 10, 2006
Adoption Options
At times, the adoption process can seem complicated, time consuming, and even frustrating. However, there are many resources available to help prospective adoptive parents as well as for those women who are looking for assistance in giving their child a better life. The decision to place a child for adoption is an extremely difficult one. It is an act of great courage and much love. Remember, adoption is permanent.
There are basically two types of adoptions: confidential and open. In a confidential adoption, the birth parents and the adoptive parents never know each other. Adopting parents are given some background information about the birth mother and the father so that they may better take proper care of the child--such as medical histories.
Using an open adoption method, the birth parents and the adoptive parents know something about each other. In the least open, the birth mother reads about several possible families and picks the one that sounds best for the baby. In the most open type, the mother and the adoptive parents share names, addresses, telephone numbers and actually stay in contact with one another through the years.
The second major decision concerning adoption concerns the question, "Where will the child come from?" Again, there are two options. You can adopt a child born in the United States, called a domestic adoption, or you can choose to adopt a child from another country, referred to as an inter-country adoption. If you choose the second option, you must then decide from which country your child should come--sometimes a very difficult, but vitally important decision.
No matter what type of adoption you choose to pursue, remember that this is a legal proceeding and must be finalized in court, although the process varies from state to state. Adoption is a life-long process, and you and your new addition are sure to have many questions along the way. "Why did Mom give me up?" "Who is my real Dad?" These are real and important questions which must be answered by those involved, but adoption is truly a great opportunity for everyone involved. With adoptions everyone wins!
Larry Denton
Larry Denton is a retired history teacher having taught 33 years at Hobson High in Hobson, Montana. He is currently Vice President of Elfin Enterprises, Inc., an Internet business providing useful information and resources on a variety of timely topics.
There are basically two types of adoptions: confidential and open. In a confidential adoption, the birth parents and the adoptive parents never know each other. Adopting parents are given some background information about the birth mother and the father so that they may better take proper care of the child--such as medical histories.
Using an open adoption method, the birth parents and the adoptive parents know something about each other. In the least open, the birth mother reads about several possible families and picks the one that sounds best for the baby. In the most open type, the mother and the adoptive parents share names, addresses, telephone numbers and actually stay in contact with one another through the years.
The second major decision concerning adoption concerns the question, "Where will the child come from?" Again, there are two options. You can adopt a child born in the United States, called a domestic adoption, or you can choose to adopt a child from another country, referred to as an inter-country adoption. If you choose the second option, you must then decide from which country your child should come--sometimes a very difficult, but vitally important decision.
No matter what type of adoption you choose to pursue, remember that this is a legal proceeding and must be finalized in court, although the process varies from state to state. Adoption is a life-long process, and you and your new addition are sure to have many questions along the way. "Why did Mom give me up?" "Who is my real Dad?" These are real and important questions which must be answered by those involved, but adoption is truly a great opportunity for everyone involved. With adoptions everyone wins!
Larry Denton
Larry Denton is a retired history teacher having taught 33 years at Hobson High in Hobson, Montana. He is currently Vice President of Elfin Enterprises, Inc., an Internet business providing useful information and resources on a variety of timely topics.
