Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is the best choice in the matter, and putting a child up for adoption is no exception to this dilemma.
Note that according to this blog, more than 100,000 thousand children are being adopted in the US.
As much as people view negatively, the rising statistics tell us otherwise.
After all, this happens not because of selfish reasons on the part of the mother.
Often, their reasons are understandable, such as lack of funds, struggle with drugs and mental illness, or because they’re too young.
If you’re one of those mothers looking to adopt, here’s a step-by-step guide for you.
Because it’s essential to choose an experienced adoption center focused on helping mothers through counseling, finding closed adoptions (complete confidentiality), and other services, this guide will help you find that institute in no time.
If you’ve thought about this but have no idea what the first step is, read on to find a seamless transition for both mother and child.
Step 1: Ask Yourself If Adoption Is Right For You And Your Child
Though most motors that seek a guide on how to give their child up for adoption already thought about it until they reach a conclusion and definite decision, perhaps you’re still thinking about it.
Before going through the official hands-on steps of how to give a baby up for adoption, you have to determine if both of you should go through this process.
You can do so by answering these few questions:
- Are you stable enough (mentally, physically, emotionally) to take care of a young child?
- Can you pay for their schooling until college?
- Are you able to foster a nurturing, loving environment where they can feel safe?
- Do you have any mental health problems that will get in the way of safe and effective parenting? (e.g., Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, etc.)
Through these questions, you can assess yourself and your capabilities as a parent about raising a child and making sure they’re healthy and happy.
If you find yourself saying no to most requirements and saying yes to the last question, adoption might be the best choice for you and your child.
Step 2: Know All About Adoption
To better educate yourself, research more into your choice of adoption options in Florida as to their services.
Are they free? Do they have an extensive network of good adoptive families that can take care of your child better than you can?
Does the father have to be involved in this process?
If they’re a large center, counselors and other professionals can help you with these questions.
Step 3: Create An Adoption Plan
In partnership with your adoption center, you’ll be asked to create a plan. This plan can be managed by the staff or yourself.
Some centers let the biological mother create this plan and back them up with legalities and other technical aspects.
During your stay, you’ll be assigned an adoption specialist who will be by your side throughout the process.
They’ll be the one to handle all your wishes as to the adoption plan, list off all the things you want in an adoptive family, the type of contract you want, and can even double as a counselor if you need one.
You don’t have to be alone on this journey.
Step 4: Select An Adoptive Family
After giving the specifics to your adoption specialist, she’ll be responsible for finding the family that perfectly or closely fits your description.
Naturally, there will be more than one family to be selected so you can have several options for your child.
You might think adoption is a one-time event, but you’d be surprised how many agreements don’t see the light of day.
According to the Atlantic’s article (link here: https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2018/11/children-who-have-second-adoptions/575902/), 1 out of 5 in 135,000 annual adoptions get legally dissolved.
That means those children get put up for a foster family again, and it disrupts their self-confidence and questions their self-worth when the situation was never their fault to begin with.
That’s why we urge you to check an agency that:
- Completes backgrounds checks with their adoptive families, ensure they are mentally and financially stable to adopt, and able to provide a safe and loving environment
- Picks families that are excited to get to know you and are open to communication with your child if you so wish
- Provides continuous service for your child even after the adoption (e.g., follow-ups with the center, letting you know of your child’s condition if you so wish)
The most important thing to remember after you’ve chosen a family is the future your child will have with their foster family.
Even if you decide not to be a part of it, the child can still have a better life.