Choosing to place your baby for adoption is one of the most significant decisions you will make. It is difficult, brave, painful, and loving all at the same time. After deciding that adoption is the best choice, your next big decision is selecting the potential adoptive couple.
By choosing their adoptive family, you’re shaping your child’s future. Expectant mothers and birth mothers are eager to begin the search.
Here are some suggestions to get you started.
It’s Important to Be Specific
You know how you would raise your child if you could. Don’t settle for less than what you want. Many couples are looking to adopt, and we’re sure you will find the right one for you and your child.
Make a List of Your “Gotta Haves”
If you have specific criteria, don’t be afraid to list them. This is your child’s future, and you need to have peace knowing you gave them the right family.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Do I want them to grow up with siblings already in the home, or be the first child?
- How do they approach discipline, communication, and emotional support?
- Do they believe in open adoption and keeping communication with me? What does that look like to them?
- How do they talk about adoption, and how will they help my child understand their story?
- Will they celebrate and honor my child’s heritage and identity?
- What are their values around education, learning, and personal growth?
- Are they open to different paths for the future — college, trades, arts, entrepreneurship?
- Do they have a strong support network — extended family, close friends, community?
- What do they enjoy doing in everyday life — hobbies, travel, outdoors, arts, volunteering?
- Most importantly, do I feel a genuine connection with them?
- Do they feel like the kind of people I can trust with something as sacred as my child’s future?
These are just a few questions to consider. Whatever is essential to you should be important to them. Sometimes, something as simple as their favorite food or music can tie you together.
Determine the Amount of Communication You Want
In addition to selecting the couple, you should determine how much contact you wish to have with them. The adoptive couple needs to agree on the same amount of communication.
If you’re not ready for a completely open adoption but want to have contact with the family, find one that agrees to a semi-open adoption. This type of adoption provides privacy while also giving you information about your baby. All communication goes through A Loving Option Adoption first.
If you want an open relationship with the adoptive family and your child from the beginning, select a family that wants the same. All waiting pre-adoptive families at A Loving Option Adoption are willing to complete an open adoption if that is what you desire.
A closed adoption means you and the adoptive family both want no contact.
Only Move Forward If You Have Peace
Choosing the right adoptive couple is challenging. You want what’s best for your baby, but it has to be right for you, too. As you look through the bios of couples, you will get a sense of their relationship, family, neighborhood, home, and interests.
Are they someone you would like to spend time with? You will know when you see them. Many expectant mothers say, “I just knew they were the ones the minute I saw them.”
The right match is out there. You will find them.
Let A Loving Option Adoption Assist You
We provide you with a dedicated Birth Parent Specialist who walks closely with you throughout the entire process. Your personal specialist will talk with you in depth about your desires for the adoptive couple.
You can schedule a free, confidential appointment online or call or text our 24/7 Helpline at (865) 684-1894. Whether you choose adoption or not, we’ll happily discuss the process and answer your questions.
There is a beautiful plan for your future. Let us help you find it.