Open Adoption with Your Child in Florida
Placing a child for adoption is a life-changing decision — one that takes tremendous courage. If you’re considering this option for your baby, then you probably have plenty of questions about what your relationship with your child and the adoptive family might look like after the adoption is complete.
There are three types of contact that a prospective birth mother might consider for her adoption in Florida: an open adoption, a semi-open adoption or a closed adoption. All three have their pros and cons, but it’s up to you to decide which one fits into your goals for your adoption.
If you’ve never thought about what can come after placement, here’s everything you need to know about an open adoption in Florida.
What is Open Adoption in Florida?
Every adoption experience is unique, so there’s more than one open adoption “meaning” in Florida. But typically, the definition of an open adoption is any relationship in which the adoptive family and the birth parents share identifying information with one another. They also have some form of contact with one another, whether that is through phone calls, emails or visits.
At American Adoptions of Florida, we require all adoptive families to be open to sharing pictures and letters with birth parents. When and how often you will receive them will depend on your open adoption preferences. For example, every adoptive family is required to send pictures and letters once a year until their child turns 18. But, you can always ask for more if that’s what you would prefer.
An adoption can be more or less open depending on the needs of the birth parents. Some domestic open adoption plans include frequent visits, if both parties are comfortable with the idea, while others only share contact on special occasions, like holidays and birthdays.
No matter what kind of relationship you’re envisioning, you can make an open adoption plan that’s just right for you.
How Does an Open Adoption Work in Florida?
When you’re a prospective birth mother, your post-adoption relationship is based around your comfort level. This means that you get to decide exactly how much information and contact you want to share with the adoptive family and your child from the very beginning.
With American Adoptions of Florida, every family presented to you is ready for all types of contact — including a private open adoption. This mean that you don’t have to worry about finding a family that meets your standards for a post-adoption contact agreement in Florida. No matter what you’re open to, there will be an adoptive family that’s ready to meet your needs.
Of course, you can always change how much contact you want in your open adoption plan at any time. Your open adoption plan is specifically tailored to you, so don’t feel guilty if you need to make adjustments. If you decide that something is just not working, you can reach out to your specialist at any time to make adjustments.
Your open adoption relationship can start before placement, too. That way, you’ll have a change to get to know the adoptive family a little bit better before making any definite plans. You can talk with them as much as you need to ensure that you’re making the right choice for you and your baby.
Why Should I Choose an Open Adoption in Florida?
Research has shown time and time again that every member of the adoption triad benefits from open adoption. Here are just a few of the reasons why:
- For birth parents: When you’re a birth parent, an open adoption in Florida allows you to be involved in your child’s life as much as you’re comfortable with. For many prospective birth mothers, an open adoption can help them navigate through the grief and loss process. As you see your child grow and thrive, it can also provide a sense of closure and reassurance that you made the right decision
- For adoptive families: If you choose an open adoption, the family you choose will be able to develop a deeper relationship with you and your own family. Many adoptive families and birth parents even form genuine life-long friendships with one another.
- For adoptees: Open adoptions help give an adoptee a sense of identity and belonging. They help your child understand where they came from and better cope with your adoption decision. If your child has any questions about their history, they can always reach out to you directly.
These are just a few of the reasons American Adoptions of Florida encourages open adoptions for prospective birth parents and adoptive families. If you’d like to learn more about these open adoption benefits in Florida, you can always reach out to your specialist for more information.
What about a Semi-Open or a Closed Adoption?
If you’re not sure about an open adoption, you have two more options: a semi-open adoption or a closed adoption in Florida.
Semi-open adoptions don’t involve as much contact as an open adoption, but they’re not as restricted as a closed adoption. You can still be a part of your child’s life as much as you feel comfortable doing so, while maintaining a sense of privacy. Often, semi-open adoption contact is mediated by your agency, such as through the sending of photos and letters back and forth. This way, you can have the best of both worlds.
In a closed adoption in Florida, only non-identifying information about you will be shared. A prospective birth mother can even ask her specialist to choose the adoptive family for her. While this type of adoption relationship is still possible today, it’s not as common as it once was, due to the widely acknowledged disadvantages for all involved.
It’s also important to note that, with the rise of social media and DNA testing, it’s easier than ever to find a long-lost relative when you have the right tools. This means that, even with a closed adoption, your child can look for you at some point in your life. If you’re thinking about choosing this type of adoption relationship, just know that’s it not as “closed” as it once was.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which type of adoption relationship is right for you. No matter which type of adoption you decide on, American Adoptions of Florida is here to support you every step of the way.
If you have any questions about your post-placement contact options, your specialist would be happy to give you more information about both.
Preparing for Your Adoption Relationship
Deciding what kind of contact to have with your child after placement is an important choice. As such, you’re going to need plenty of time to think things through. Don’t rush yourself — consider what’s really important to you, and work with your specialist to create an adoption plan around those preferences.
If you have any questions about your options for open adoption in Florida, we’d be happy to help. To learn more, please contact 1-800-ADOPTION or request free information here.
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