5 Reasons to Choose Open Adoption

Open Adoption

5 Reasons to Choose Open Adoption

There are many choices a birthmother has when she finds out that she is expecting; she can choose to keep the baby, have an abortion, or place the baby for adoption. Once she has decided to place the baby for adoption, she can choose open or closed adoption. Here are 5 reasons to choose open adoption:

Why choose open adoption?

  1. Seeing your child in a loving home that you have chosen through careful consideration and interviews with the adoptive parents can provide the birthmother the assurance that her child is being well cared for, loved, and given everything he needs for a fulfilling life.
  2. The birthparent and adoptive family can become very close and provide more support for the child. Although some adoptive parents fear jealousy might exist, that is not the case. Most birthparents are grateful and complement the adoptive parents similar to an extended family member. Birthparents don’t compete with the adoptive parents; but, provide a supportive role.
  3. There is usually an understanding–either verbal or written–between the biological parents and adoptive parents on the level of involvement with the child. Both parties want what’s best for the child; therefore, working together with an understanding helps facilitate that.
  4. Open adoption usually helps to reinforce that the birthmother made the right decision. When she sees her child thriving in his new, permanent home, she supports the adoptive parents in their role.
  5. Finally, when a child is raised in a closed adoption, he usually has a desire to meet his birthparents. This search can sometimes take years, and sometimes be unfruitful. In an open adoption, the child has had the benefit of knowing his birthmother and his adoption story. Therefore, that search and feeling of “incompleteness” is never felt.

Although there are other options, open adoption should be explored. The many benefits it provides to the birthmother (birthparents), adoptive family, and the child outweigh any false apprehensions that may be there.