How to Place a Child for Adoption

Making the decision to place your unborn child for adoption is probably one of the hardest things you'll ever do. But it's no doubt one the most selfless things you'll do as well. You're making a decision to place your child with parents who are not only well equipped to care for a child in all ways, but are anxious to welcome a baby into their homes and hearts.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Begin looking at different adoption agencies in your area and on the Internet. Think about whether you would want an open or closed adoption. With an open adoption, you would likely meet the adoptive parents and stay in touch with them and the child as he or she grows up. With a closed adoption, you would never meet the adoptive parents, and there would be no contact. There are also many levels in between completely open and completely closed; the important thing to remember is that the choice is yours.
2. Contact the agency that you feel most comfortable with, and speak to one of their counselors. They should be compassionate, and you shouldn't feel like they are pushing you to make an adoption plan for your child. Find out what kind of assistance they may be able to give you, and find out what will be required of you should you decide to use their services.
3. Begin to look at the approved adoptive parents the agency currently has waiting. Consider what's important to you for your child. You may want to find adoptive parents who plan to raise the child in the same religion as you are. Education may be at the top of your list. Or it may be something intangible, just a special something that keeps drawing you back to a particular couple. Trust your instincts.
4. Think about how much contact you'd like to have with the adoptive parents if you have chosen an open adoption. Consider such things as do you want to meet them in person, whether you would want them to be at the hospital when the baby is born, how much contact you want afterwards. Some of these things are hard to know until you're in the situation, but it's good to start giving it some thought ahead of time.
5. Take care of yourself. Once you have chosen adoptive parents for your baby and a match is officially made, you can sit back and relax knowing that you've made the best decision for your child. You're about to bless your child's adoptive parents with what they've always dreamed of; a child to love. Be proud of yourself for making such a courageous decision.