A Guide to Open Adoption
Open adoption is when birth and adoptive families maintain on-going contact after placement. This can include sharing photos, updates, letters, and visits. Every open adoption is unique, with contact levels that you and the adoptive family decide together, based on what’s most comfortable for everyone involved.
Free, confidential, and available 24/7
What Does Open Adoption Offer?
Open adoption is one option, but it is not the right choice for everyone. Some birth parents feel comfortable with ongoing contact, while others prefer limited contact or a closed adoption. You can still work with Spence-Chapin regardless of the level of openness you choose.
If you are considering open adoption, here are some of the ways it can benefit everyone involved:
For Your Child: Open adoption can give your child access to information about their birth family, culture, and story, which may help support their sense of identity as they grow.
For You as a Birth Parent: Open adoption can allow you to stay connected to your child in a way that feels comfortable for you and receive updates about how they are doing.
For the Adoptive Family: Open adoption can help adoptive parents better understand their child’s birth story, family background, and important connections.
Spence-Chapin’s adoptive families are educated about open adoption and the many different ways these relationships can look. During the matching process, we also consider how both you and the prospective adoptive family envision your relationship so that expectations around openness and contact are aligned.
How Does Open Adoption Work?
Each open adoption is unique, allowing both birth and adoptive families to choose the right level of contact that feels best for everyone involved. Here’s what you can expect:
Flexible Communication: You and the adoptive parents can decide what level of contact feels right. This could include in-person visits, photos, letters, and phone calls.
Customized to Your Needs: Open adoption can evolve over time. Some families begin with occasional updates, which may grow into more frequent contact as a child gets older.
Honesty and Transparency: The goal is to ensure your child grows up knowing about you and their birth story and has access to their birth parents when inevitable questions arise.
Isabella's Story
Is Open Adoption Right for You?
If you’re thinking about open adoption, consider these questions:
- Are you interested in maintaining a connection with your child?
- Do you want your child to grow up understanding their background and story?
- Would having a relationship with the adoptive family provide peace of mind?
If any of these feel important to you, open adoption could be the right choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Open Adoption
Is open adoption the same for every family?
No, each open adoption is unique. You and the adoptive parents work together to decide on the level of contact that works best.
Can the level of openness change over time?
Yes! The type and level of contact is likely to evolve as both your families grow.
What if I’m unsure about how open adoption might work for me?
Many birth parents feel uncertain at first. Our team is here to guide you, answer questions, and help you feel confident in making the best decision for you and your child.
