Open Adoption
Open adoption refers to an adoption arrangement, either pre-finalization or post-adoption, in which an adoptee's birth parents and adoptive parents meet one another. There are varying levels of open adoption and the kind of relationship between the parents. Semi-open adoption, for example, refers to an relationship in which the triad members operate on a first-name basis and do not reveal overly personal information to one another. A traditionally open adoption means the triad members know the other person's first and last name as well as certain identifying information such as a mailing address or phone number.
Open adoption relationships are most common in infant adoptions and are used when a birth mother wants to be active in the placement process of the infant. While an open relationship during the placement process can put her mind at ease and lower the chances of a birth mother changing her mind, choosing to maintain a relationship after placement is a tough decision that makes many adoptive parents uneasy. Before working toward an adoption arrangement, a couple should decide on whether or not they want a closed, semi-open or open adoption experience.
Adoptions that stay very open after the placement, consent and finalization of an adoption are sometimes called cooperative adoptions if the birth parents make in-person visits with the adoptee.
Open adoption is a oft debated preference that has convincing arguments for and against it. People that support open adoption feel that it takes the mystery away from birth parents as an adoptee matures. Adoptive parents also feel that establishing a relationship with the birth mother before the adoption is finalized may also reduce the chance of her changing her mind about placing the child.
There are practical reasons to stay in touch with an adoptee's birth parents. Health updates, for example, may be useful. Having a birth parent in an adoptee's post-placement life may work for some family dynamics. It can also help a birth mother cope with her decision. Sending photos or updates about the adoptee once or twice a year may help her feel she made the right decision during rough times.
Pregnant women looking to place and couples seeking placement should be open about what they want out of an adoption before finding an agency or becoming pressured into a post-placement situation neither party is fully comfortable with.
Open Adoption: Every adoption of this type will be different, based on the type of relationship that the birth parents and the adoptive parents have agreed to. Both identifying and non-identifying information about the adoptive parents and the birth parents is shared with each other, which can... [more]
Category: Adoption
See Also: open adoption records
Articles About "Open Adoption"
"Open Adoption" in the News
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Open Adoption is Good for the Child, Says Independent Adoption Center Open Adoption is Good for the Child, Says Independent Adoption Center Expanding on an article about IAC and open adoption that appeared this week in the Pleasant Hill Patch, Kathleen Silber, MSW, ACSW, helps adoptive parents appreciate why open adoptions are desirable and offers tips for how to...
Mothers share a special bond after open adoption For five years, Michaela Stanberry dreamed of being a mother. She and her husband, Todd, of Shreveport, had been through five intrauterine inseminations and two in vitro fertilizations until their doctors declared the couple as suffering from "unexplained infertility."
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PABIS: Waiting for birthmother is heartwrenching In open adoption, the birthmother gets to choose the future parents for her unborn baby. If all parties feel they make a good match, the birthmother and adoptive parent(s) determine what their relationship will be once the baby arrives.
After 4 Miscarriages, Minn. Family Turns To An It's always been Jamie and Heather Thompson's dream to have a big family. So when their son, Griffin, was born, they thought it was just the beginning.
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"Open Adoption" in the Adoption Blogs
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Birth fathers in open adoptions May 14, 2012, 3:59 pm First I will say that I did not give my daughter up for adoption. I had a lengthy long distance relationship with her mother while she was separated from her husband and getting a divorce. She was supposedly madly in love with me until I lost my job early in the pregnancy and then she stayed...
What is a birth parent's role in open adoptionMay 14, 2012, 9:12 pm I am a birth father. I am in a situation which is basically like an open adoption, though I did not give her up for adoption. Her birth mother's husband is her legal father, against my wishes clearly communicated to both the husband and birth mother. I am also a very far distance from my...
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How beneficial do you feel visits are when there is animosity? May 14, 2012, 11:09 am Just wondering how beneficial you feel visits are when there is animosity between birth parents and adoptive parents.
My son is adopted from foster care (he's been with us since he was 3 months old), and we were able to maintain a good relationship with his birth parents for a long while. We...
former birthmomMay 12, 2012, 4:11 pm I dont know why i have been so wrapped up in this lately.its has been 17 years since i considered placing my son for adoption.and nearly eight since he passed away.
I guess i always felt guilty for changing my mind about placing him.especially after he passed away.i almost felt like a got my ...
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Stories About "Open Adoption"
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