LGBTQ+ Adoption in Missouri and the Frequently Asked Questions To Ask as a Birth Mother

May 31, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

LGBTQ+ Adoption in Missouri and the Frequently Asked Questions To Ask as a Birth Mother

As a birth mother, choosing an LGBTQ+ couple or individual as parents for your birth child is a great option, as LGBTQ+ adoptive parents are such caring people who have so much love to give. In the state of Missouri, our local adoption agencies are open to having same-sex couples become parents to your child. We believe they will make great parents. No matter what anyone says, your choice of adoptive parents is totally up to you, and your openness to LGBTQ+ parents will show that love is all that matters. We at Adoption Choices of Missouri have listed the five frequently asked questions you may have as a birthmother to your potential LGBTQ+ adoptive parents during the adoption process.

Why is Your Home the Perfect Fit for my Child?

A same-sex couple’s household will be with kindness, openness, and communication. Understanding the dynamics of the same-sex household will let you feel more prepared about how your child be raised and feel more relieved about choosing parents. Having a home where your birth child feels like they can express themselves in any way they want might make your child feel happy and loved. As a birth mother, knowing your child is in a safe environment with caring parents might make you feel a sense of relief.

What Qualities Will you Teach my Child?

As LGBTQ+ parents teaching certain qualities, like confidence, could be an important value to learn. As your child grows up, they may experience times when confidence is needed, like being involved in certain school activities or standing up for themselves. Learning to be confident will help your child learn to embrace who they are and understand it’s perfectly okay to express oneself any way they can. As a birth mother, finding adoptive parents that will teach your child all the great lessons in their life may make you feel proud. You have chosen such open and transparent parents to raise your child.

How will you Celebrate and Teach my Child About Pride?

As LGBTQ+ parents celebrating pride month is an important holiday to celebrate as LGBTQ+ parents and the progress people like you have made. To celebrate this holiday, you might want to celebrate this important month with your child; by reading books, creating pride crafts, watching child-friendly movies about different kinds of families, and explaining to your child what this holiday means to embrace the differences in others. Embracing this personal holiday with your birth child and their adoptive parents will let them know how important they are to you.

How will you Address Challenges in Your Child’s Life?

As a child growing up in an LGBTQ+ home, there may come a time where your child will be challenged physically or mentally. Your child’s LGBTQ+ adoptive parents will have open communication with your child that will allow you to understand what your child might be going through as you might have gone through as an LGBTQ+ person. Using your personal experiences to help your child grow will shape them as a person.

How Will You Help Shape my Child’s Worldview?

As LGBTQ+ adoptive parents might have gone through you, they might teach your child how to understand the world they live in and help them understand how people interact with different people. This includes people from their LGBTQ adoptive parent community. As your child grows into the adult they will be someday, they will have experiences with all types of people who might positively or negatively affect their life. No matter what path they walk, learning this life lesson will help your child have a more positive outlook on life and understand their community.

Advice to Birth Mothers Choosing An LGBTQ+ Adoption

As a birth mother, choosing LGBTQ+ parents is a great option. LGBTQ+ parents choose love as the main reason to decide to become parents, and they have so much love to give to a child. Having LGBTQ+ parents will benefit your child by having open conversations and teaching your child to embrace all themselves as they are. As a birth mother, considering LGBTQ+ adoptive parents, know that they may share in the life lessons and parent in a way that might make you happy. As parents, they will spend the time communicating, listening to the child’s wants and needs, and trying to give your child the opportunities and life you have envisioned for your child. At our agency, Adoption Choices of Missouri we will be happy to help you find the right LGBTQ+ parents for you and your child.

Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 1-816-527-9800

Meet the Author: Samara Wiley is a published author of poetry, essays, and an environmental children’s storybook called, Waiting for the Water Fairy. She graduated from Benedictine University in 2018 with a double Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and French. She has been published in three small poetry anthologies one was called Talented.

Her other writing accomplishments include: winning a high school poetry competition and $2500 for her high school, having two out of her five novels be considered for publication, and writing movie critic reviews for her university’s newsletter.

Although she has Cerebral Palsy and has had a turbulent childhood, Samara puts these small specs of herself into her writing to personally connect with her audience. She prides herself on pushing the boundaries in her writing and in her personal life with everything she does. Samara writes with her heart and a voice of compassion and loves to pull from her top passions in life.

She currently lives in Yorkville, Illinois with her mom and two sisters.

Why Giving up My Baby is Used in Missouri Adoptions

May 28, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Why Giving Up My Baby is Used in Missouri Adoptions

As an expectant mother in Missouri who is considering adoption, you will hear many adoption terminologies as you begin your adoption process. Our agency, Adoption Choices of Missouri, will support you and help you develop the adoption language that is right for you as a birth mother. Your adoption story is such a beautiful choice that you might want to express it someday. Understanding adoption language, both positive and negative, will help you as a birth mother understand how to talk about your adoption as a whole. Adoption terminology is so important to know and will help you as a birth mother explains to people in or out of your life and your birth child, address all the questions or reasons you chose adoption.

As a birth mother, being prepared to use the right language will help you as a birth mother and help other potential birth mothers share their adoption stories. Every term has an important meaning. The term “giving up my baby” is a retired term you may have heard when talking about adoption. However, this term may still be used from time to time. At Adoption Choices of Missouri, we will tell you why we use this term and the importance of using positive language when speaking about adoption. Remember, as a birth mother, your adoption story is yours alone, and whichever terms you use to tell your adoption journey will be unique to you. No matter what anyone says, your chosen adoption language will be the best to tell your adoption story.

Why the Phrase “Giving Up My Baby” is Still Used Today

“Giving up my baby” may be said to an expectant mother to let people know she is considering adoption. Although this has a negative connotation attached to it, as an older term, at a time, this might have been used as a young expectant mother might have had to give her child up for adoption but not by choice. However, choosing adoption is a beautiful choice that might allow your child a home filled with joy. You are not giving your child any means; you are letting your child gain a family and should feel no guilt about that. This term may be older. However, you should replace this term with a more positive phrase for pregnant women considering adoption. She can say, “Place your baby up for adoption, as this phrase is more light-hearted and holds a more positive connotation than” give your baby up for adoption,” as this could seem like a more forceful phrase towards a new birth mother. Using positive adoption language when speaking to or as a birth mother will help you feel better about your choice of adoption.

Learning to Use Positive Adoption Language

Adoption language can be positive or negative, depending on how you want to tell your adoption story. Now, we at Adoption Choices of Missouri will provide you with the proper positive language you will need when speaking about your adoption journey.

Here are four phrases that you could say instead of saying “giving up my baby.” The following phrases are a good example of how you can express the joy and relief you might feel when discussing your adoption choice.

I am placing my baby up for adoption.
I am choosing adoption for my child.
I am proud to choose adoption.
My choice of adoption is the best for my child.

Advice for a Birth Mothers Going Through an Adoption

As a birth mother, you may be wondering why the term “give your baby” is still around today. This may be due to older generations not understanding the negative effect that it may have had on a birth mother. As a retired term, remember that you, as a birth mother, have control over your adoption. Positive adoption language is important as it may remind you of the reason why you choose adoption and how happy you might be that your child has the life you wanted for them. Our agency, Adoption Choices of Missouri, will support you and help you create positive language phrases that will let people know how proud you might be to be a birth mother.

Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 1-816-527-9800

Meet the Author: Samara Wiley is a published author of poetry, essays, and an environmental children’s storybook called, Waiting for the Water Fairy. She graduated from Benedictine University in 2018 with a double Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and French.She has been published in three small poetry anthologies one was called Talented.

Her other writing accomplishments include: winning a high school poetry competition and $2500 for her high school, having two out of her five novels be considered for publication and writing movie critic reviews for her university’s newsletter.

She currently lives in Yorkville, Illinois with her mom and two sisters.

Birth Mother Blog

Considering All of Your Unplanned Pregnancy Options: Choosing Adoption in Missouri

May 26, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Considering All of Your Unplanned Pregnancy Options: Choosing Adoption in Missouri

There are many different reasons why you may be considering all of your unplanned pregnancy options. Maybe you need to face a teen pregnancy and feel that you are too young to raise a baby of your own. Perhaps you are a grown woman who already has a career or a family of your own and just do not have the resources to raise another child. Or maybe none of these apply to you, and you simply feel that raising a baby is not for you.

Whatever your reason is for exploring your unplanned pregnancy options, it’s OK! The important thing to remember here is that you are the one in control and that this is your decision to make. You should never feel pressured to make a decision that you do not feel comfortable with regarding your pregnancy. No matter what, you are the one who has the final say in what is right for you and your baby.

At Adoption Choices of Missouri, we truly care about our birth mothers. That is why we are here to help you make the most informed decision possible with no added pressure. We are here to answer any of your questions and to provide you with any information you may need to help make your unplanned pregnancy journey as easy as possible.

Exploring Your Options Considering Adoption in Missouri

Parenting or keeping the baby. It is only natural that you would want to keep your baby or feel hesitant towards any other options. But please keep in mind that choosing to parent is a huge and life-changing decision. If you are considering keeping the baby and being a parent, please be realistic about your expectations. First, it’s important that you make sure you have a good support network of friends and family. You will need someone who can help babysit or help pick up the slack when you feel tired after so many sleepless nights.

While a financial strain is often cited as the reason for not choosing to parent, that is not always the case. Babies require a lot more than just money in order to be healthy and happy. Babies require your time, energy, and a stable environment. They need consistency in order to thrive. Please be absolutely sure that you can realistically provide the stability they need before you finalize your decision to be a parent.
Terminating or aborting your pregnancy. Many women choose to terminate their pregnancy because they are just ready to close this chapter of their lives and move on. Despite the stigmas that still surround abortion, it is a fairly simple and safe procedure as long as it is done early enough in your pregnancy. Please consult your doctor regarding any medical questions you may have about the available procedures.

You must act fairly quickly if you do decide that abortion is the right option for you. While abortion laws may vary by state, Missouri state law says that a pregnant woman cannot abort her pregnancy after 22 weeks since her last period. The only exception to this law is if terminating the pregnancy is medically necessary for the health and safety of the mother. If you wait too long to make this decision, you will lose your eligibility,, and the state law will decide for you.
Placing or “giving up” your baby for adoption. Remember, you are never “giving up” when you choose adoption. Instead, we prefer to keep things positive and say that you are placing your baby for adoption. Adoption is not selfish or giving up; rather, it is a selfless act of love on your part so that your baby may have the best opportunities in life.

Thanks to different types of adoption, like open adoption, choosing adoption does not have to feel so absolute and final. In an open adoption, both the birth mother and adoptive family leave identifying contact information so that they can stay in touch. You will be able to maintain contact with your baby and the adoptive family through phone calls and in-person visits. With open adoption, you can get to know the person your baby grows up to be.

Not only is adoption never at any cost to you, but it also comes with financial assistance for birth mothers. Our adoption agency provides financial assistance to help curb the costs of daily expenses for birth mothers. This means providing things like safe housing or help with covering rent and utilities, medical assistance, food costs, transportation, maternity clothes, and phone service.

We also like to go above and beyond by providing post-placement care as well. That is why we offer counseling and emotional support services for Missouri birth mothers. Even if you choose open adoption and plan to still be involved in your baby’s life, it is natural to grieve over your loss of parenthood. That is why our team is on standby to help you through your adoption journey, even when you are adjusting to post-placement life afterward.

Adoption Choices of Missouri Will Help with Your Unplanned Pregnancy

No matter which of the three unplanned pregnancy options you decide is right for you, please do not hesitate before seeing your doctor or seeking help from our adoption agency. It is important that you begin to receive any prenatal care as soon as possible so that you do not miss out on any important supplements or healthcare you may need. Waiting too long may even close off some unplanned pregnancy options that were previously available to you. At Adoption Choices of Missouri, the safety of you and your baby are our number one priority. The longer you wait to seek help, the less time you and your baby to receive care and the less open your options will be.

Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 1-816-527-9800

Meet the Author: Kelly Felix is a graduate from the University of New Orleans. She holds a BA in English as well as a BA in Sociology. Her English concentration is in journalism, and her specialties in sociology are gender studies and environmental sociology.

When she isn’t voraciously guzzling coffee or devouring books, Kelly can be found either bent over a canvas working on her art or at her computer playing video games. She has hands-on classroom teaching experience from her time working as a substitute teacher for Kelly Services. Kelly also completed an in-house editorial internship at Pelican Publishing Company, and she finished the goal internship program at Green Light New Orleans. Kelly generally exists in a state of suspended disbelief, but when she’s not there she resides in New Orleans.

Birth Mother Blog

Putting My Baby up for Adoption in Missouri

May 24, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Putting My Baby up for Adoption in Missouri

Unplanned pregnancy? Here at Adoption Choices of Missouri adoption agency, we want to provide everything we can to help you with a successful adoption. we’ve got you covered. Adoption is a kinder alternative that allows you to have a say in where your baby goes after your pregnancy. Our caseworkers will make sure you understand every step of the adoption process. When adoption paperwork or an adoption attorney is needed, we handle all the tough complications to keep you focused on what’s most important. When you’re ready to choose an adoptive family, we’ll have a variety of options ready.

Are You Considering Adoption in Missouri?

Of course, the beginning is the best place to start. Once you and your adoption caseworker set up a meeting, you can start defining the details of the adoption. Paperwork, sadly, is an essential part of this process. However, with the help of your adoption caseworker, you don’t have to worry if you’re accidentally messing something up. Completing the initial paperwork will allow you the most freedom to decide where your child goes after birth as well.

Another critical part that your caseworker will help with is finding a doctor. A doctor provides the best solution to make sure both you and your baby stay happy and healthy during your pregnancy. Tests, screenings, and ultrasounds can be a bit intimidating, but your caseworker will help ease your fears if you’re anxious about a visit. Once you’ve gone to the doctor and learned what is best for you and your baby, you may find you have a better understanding of why you chose adoption.

Finding the Right Financial Assistances To Begin Your Adoption Journey

One of the most troubling thoughts for a birth parent is, “will I be able to pay for this?” Doctor’s visits, maternity clothes, transportation, and time lost at work all contribute to a loss of financial security. For some birth mothers, they never had that financial security in the first place. To help these parents, Adoption Choices helps provide you with financial resources and matches you with state monetary assistance as well. Putting your baby up for adoption always comes at absolutely no cost to you, the birth parent. With helping you comes helping you get the healthcare you need too. We can help provide transportation and shelter during and for some time after your pregnancy as well. All of these programs are catered to your needs, so even if circumstances change during your pregnancy, we still have got you covered.

Matching Your Child with an Adoptive Family

We make sure every single adoptive family is thoroughly vetted and loving adoptive family. We also know, though, that you may like to get a say in which adoptive family is matched with your child. If you choose an open adoption, we have a variety of candidates available for you to learn about and maybe even meet.

We have a wonderful variety of adoptive parents who would be thrilled for the opportunity to raise a child. If you’re unsure about the options presented by your caseworker, we can bring more options to the table as well. If you would rather not pick, we can choose a loving adoptive family for you. No matter the family, you can rest assured your child will be well taken care of.

Remember to Practice Self-Care During the Adoption Process

Once all the details are taken care of and we’ve found a great adoptive family for your child, it’s time to take an extra breather. The doctor’s visits, paperwork, and choices are enough to exhaust anybody who isn’t also pregnant. There is no need to be tired and stressed out for your entire pregnancy. Use your time to take a breather. Talk to your doctor about good ways to take care of yourself physically and mentally.

Have a specific craving for waffles? No one’s going to blame you for just getting store-bought ones. If you’ve been itching to bake some cookies, now is the time to try it out. If you can, be sure to take some time to talk to other people as well. There are plenty of online and in-person pregnancy support groups that we can help you get in touch with.

Working with Our Adoption Agency in Missouri

Putting your baby up for adoption is a great choice for you and your child, and Adoption Choices of Missouri wants to help you do that. Our adoption caseworkers will help you sort out all the complicated details to get you started and provide you with financial assistance. We also match you with adoptive families for you to meet with to keep you feeling secure in your child’s future. We want to make sure that you get some rest and stay healthy while waiting for your due date.

Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 1-816-527-9800

Meet the author: Joshua Boulet is an aspiring journalist and writer with a particular fondness for research and social sciences. He loves music, writing, reading, video games and most art, and anything creative he can get his hands on. Boulet believes that there’s too much good stuff out there and not enough time to see it all. He grew up on video games: the classic Sonic the Hedgehog games, Mario Kart, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, and Legend of Zelda. The music of rhythm games led him to an interest in that, and the investigative journalism of Jason Schreier inspired him to discover the importance of journalism as an industry. That interest in developers’ lives led him to an interest in social justice and how the world could maybe be made into a better place. “All this to say, there is certainly a line I can draw between me obsessively playing Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and me interviewing my sociology professor about how to read academic articles. Those surprising through lines fascinate me all the same. At my best, I’m a person who gets to be constantly fascinated by the lives and work of other people.” His favorite quote is from his favorite jazz musician: “A genius is the one most like himself” – Thelonious Monk.

Birth Mother Blog

Choosing a Single Woman to Adopt Your Baby in Missouri

May 21, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Choosing a Single Woman to Adopt Your Baby in Missouri

Choosing the adoptive family that will raise your child can be a very difficult decision to make. It is important to know that you have a lot of options when it comes to the types of family you can choose from. One option to consider is a single parent. If you are thinking about choosing a single parent to adopt your baby in Missouri, then you might be wondering if a single parent can handle raising a child on their own. Are there even any advantages to choosing a single parent to adopt your child? Aside from allowing a single woman to experience the joy of motherhood, your child will also receive the benefits that being raised by a single parent can provide: They will earn responsibility and independence by watching their parents. They will also still be able to have a strong support system and receive all of their undivided attention and love. Adoption Choices of Missouri is here for you if you to tailor your adoption plan if you are considering choosing a single woman to adopt your baby in Missouri.

Exposure to Independence and Responsibility

Single parents are often very responsible and independent. They usually have to tackle many things during the week, such as work, grocery shopping, and other errands. A single parent has to do all that and still set time aside to spend with their child. Know that if you choose a single parent to adopt your child, they will grow up watching their parents budget their time and work hard to get everything done. Your child will learn from observing the value of being a responsible adult.

Because single parenting is a busy affair, and since a single parent usually works, they cannot spend every moment of their time with their child. This just means that your child will learn to be more independent at a younger age. They may have to learn how to help prepare dinner or help out with other tasks around the house. Choosing a single woman to parent your child just means that your child will learn to rely less on their parents and more on themselves as they grow.

Exposure to a Support System

Simply because a single parent is raising your child does not mean that the single parent is the only person they can rely on. Single parents will usually reach out to friends and family and even organizations designed specifically for single parents. Seeing their parent ask for help from different groups of people teaches them to use their resources to connect with others and to also not be afraid to seek help if they need it. Know that your child will grow up with access to a strong and loving support system.

Undivided Attention

If you choose a single woman to parent your child, know that they will have that parent’s undivided attention and love. Single parents are likely to develop a deep bond with their children because they can spend time with their child one on one. A strong bond must be created between a parent and child so that the child can feel safe, heard, and have a sense of belonging. Single parent and child relationships tend to have an advantage when it comes to this. Because they spend so much time with their child, and their child spends so much time with them, the parent can get to understand and know their child on a deeper level. This allows them to better guide their child through his or her life.

Allow a Single Woman to Experience the Joy of Motherhood

If you choose a single woman to raise your child, know that you are giving her an opportunity that she thought she might never have. She now gets to raise and love a child of her own. Sometimes a birth mother might overlook a single woman as a viable option for your adoption process. Don’t count single women out. If you give her a chance, you will find that she will raise your child with all of the love she has to give.

Are you Ready To Choose a Single Woman to Adopt Your Baby in Missouri?

Choosing the best family to raise your child can be difficult, but choosing a single woman to adopt your baby has many benefits. Your child will be exposed to responsibility and independence from a young age. They will also have a strong support network and have the adoptive parent’s undivided attention. The choice of whether or not to choose a single parent or other types of families to raise your child is completely up to you. Only you can know what is right for you and your baby. Adoption Choices of Missouri is here for you.

Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 1-816-527-9800

Meet the Author: Heather Frederick is in her fourth and final year at Siena College and lives in Delmar, New York. She is completing her BFA in English and has written several plays, The Vagabond, Paneless, and Yours, for the Oppressed. On most days, you can find her in the kitchen baking and singing to show tunes.

As a member of the BTS Army, she likes to spend time listening to Kpop and learning dance choreography.

Birth Mother Blog

What Adoption Choices Adoption of Missouri Can Do for You

May 19, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

What Adoption Choices Adoption of Missouri Can Do for You

Even if you live in the most rural parts of Missouri, Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to help. Sometimes the best choice to give your child the care they deserve is adoption. That’s why we offer a variety of services and resources for birth mothers looking to put their baby up for adoption. We care about our birth mothers, so we provide financial assistance, various types of adoptions, and years of experience working with mothers to you all for free.

Remember, you can always call or text one of our adoption counselors with no commitment at 816-527-9800 or message us online.

Financial assistance

Our Missouri adoption agency provides for a variety of financial needs during your pregnancy. Your adoption counselor will help you figure out exactly what your needs are and how they can assist you with your current financial situation.

If you’re homeless, we can provide money for rent and utilities and help you find affordable housing. We also provide help with transportation and medical bills to make sure you never miss important doctor’s appointments.

Especially pregnant women need plenty of food, so we provide assistance for groceries as well. Find that none of your clothes fit quite right anymore? We can help provide maternity clothes too. Whatever your financial needs are, we’re committed to helping you meet them.

Types of adoptions

Adoption Choices of Missouri offers a few different types of adoptions: open adoptions, semi-open adoptions, and closed adoptions. Most parents participate in an open adoption in the U.S. The birth parents and adoptive parents share identifying contact information, and they likely will even meet in person. This is a great option for most people, and Adoption Choices will help you choose a birth family you feel comfortable raising your baby. In a closed adoption, the birth and adoptive parents don’t meet and usually know little to nothing about each other. These are uncommon in domestic adoptions, but Adoption Choices does offer this as an option. Finally, semi-open adoptions have some contact with specific rules between the sets of parents. Sometimes this means not sharing identifying information or only sharing photos through a third-party mediator. Whichever option you choose for your pregnancy, Adoption Choices has got you covered.

We bring our years of experience with adoption to you

Our staff is all thoroughly familiar with both the adoption process and the needs of birth mothers. Executive director Amy Bryant acted as a Child Placement Supervisor since 2015 and is a licensed social worker with a master’s degree in social work. Kate Fibert, social services director, has been here since 2017 and earned her master’s in 2018 along with a clinical license. Child placement supervisor Heather Brown got to raise a foster child of her own and worked for several years as a reintegration/adoption contractor. She earned a degree in social work in 2017 and continues to raise her four children.

Adoption case manager Brandy Johnson worked for nine years with pregnant women and children. Between our team of passionate mothers and people with a passion for helping mothers, we have all the training and experience to give you the care you deserve.

Birth parent counselors at our adoption agency Missouri

During every step of the process, our birth parent counselors offer their experience and assistance. First, they help you fill out all the paperwork you need to get financial assistance. Then, they educate you on the adoption process and make sure you understand what’s happening at every stage. Then they help you find choices for good adoptive families who are all thoroughly screened and interviewed by social workers. Before your due date, your counselor helps you develop a hospital plan to make that stay comfortable. And perhaps most importantly, counselors help you navigate the legal side of putting your baby up for adoption and arrange for an attorney as well.

A compassionate adoption process

At Adoption Choices, we know how hard the adoption process can be for you and your family. Birth mother counselors provide material support, but they also provide emotional support for you. Adoption Choices only helps as many mothers as we can so we can guarantee a high quality of care for each and every mother we serve.

What Adoption Choices of Missouri Can Offer You

We offer a variety of services for birth mothers and adoptive families here at Adoption Choices of Missouri. We make sure you get matched with the financial assistance you need to keep you and your baby safe. We offer several types of adoptions in Missouri depending on your needs and preferences. Throughout our staff, we have years of experience parenting and helping other parents to keep their kids safe. In addition, our counselors will give educational and emotional support to make sure you feel cared for during the entire adoption process.

If you’re a birth mother, you can text or call 816-527-9800 with any questions or fill out our online form.

Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 1-816-527-9800

His favorite quote is from his favorite jazz musician:
“A genius is the one most like himself” – Thelonious Monk.

Birth Mother Blog

Important Adoption Terms to Know During Your Unplanned Pregnancy

May 18, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Important Adoption Terms to Know During Your Unplanned Pregnancy

There’s an old children’s rhyme that goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Except that, sometimes, words can hurt us. Words can hurt when people repeatedly say your name wrong or don’t even bother to learn your correct pronouns. That’s how some women or adoptive families feel during the adoption process when they are called by the wrong title. What an awkward social faux-pas! It’s important to make sure that we are using the right language to refer to people, especially when it comes to adoption. We want to refer to people correctly so that we can be as inclusive as possible. It is important to us that everyone from all walks of life feels welcome at our adoption agency. That is precisely why Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to help you navigate this new and exciting vocabulary and learn what are the important adoption terms being used today.

How Adoption Agencies in Missouri Distinguish Between the Different Terms Used for a Birth Mother

Pregnant Woman. In the world of adoption, the term pregnant woman refers to any woman who is pregnant and considering adoption. While she may be considering placing her baby for adoption, she has not yet fully chosen adoption as her pregnancy option. She may be considering this quietly to herself, or she may have already confided in a few people she trusts. The important thing to know is that a pregnant woman is still weighing her options and considering adoption.
Expectant Mother. When it comes to adoption, an expectant mother is a woman who is pregnant but is not yet considering adoption. The thought of adoption may have crossed her mind as she looked into her pregnancy options, but she is not seriously considering placing her baby for adoption yet.
Biological Mom. Most commonly referred to in surrogacy cases, a biological mom is one of the parents from whom the baby receives half of his or her DNA. This may or may not also be the mom who is giving birth. Sometimes in adoptions, the birth mother also likes to be referred to as a biological mom. After all, it is technically correct and does have a nice superhero ring to it. Is that a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Bio Mom!
Birth Mother. A birth mother is a pregnant woman who has already chosen adoption and is ready to begin her adoption journey. She has explored all of her pregnancy options and decided that adoption is the best course of action for her and her baby. If you are a birth mother who has chosen adoption, all you have to do now is contact our adoption agency so that we can help you begin making your adoption plan.

Why It Is Important to Know the Subtle Differences Between Each Term When Placing Your Baby for Adoption in Missouri

Some seemingly innocuous names used to refer to birth mothers or biological moms can actually feel negative or harmful to them or the adoptive families. Words like, “natural parent,” “real parents,” or “real mom” imply that the adoptive family is unnatural or isn’t a real family, and that is simply not the case. It is best to prevent offending or hurting anyone by avoiding these phrases altogether.

We understand the importance of making sure that everyone feels valued and included. That is why we like to say that our birth mothers place their baby for adoption versus giving up their baby for adoption. Remember, you are never “giving up” when you choose adoption. Adoption is a selfless act of love by sacrificing your parenthood in order to give your baby the best opportunities in life.

If you choose open adoption as your type of adoption, it is crucial to make sure that you actively continue to use the right nomenclature so that no one gets upset or hurt. You, your baby, and the adoptive family will be in each other’s lives for a long time, so it’s important that you start your relationship together off right. It is important that we are clear and direct in the language we use so that everyone feels welcome, like one big, happy family.

By using exact and meaningful vocabulary to refer to people, we can avoid making someone feel left out. Especially if that someone is you, your child, or a member of your child’s adoptive family.

If You Are Considering Adoption, Don’t Wait to Call Our Missouri Adoption Agency Today to Receive Unplanned Pregnancy Help

Maybe you are an expectant mother who was not considering adoption until you found this article. Perhaps you are a pregnant woman who has not yet chosen adoption but is interested in learning more. Or maybe you are a biological mom or birth mother who has chosen adoption and is ready to begin your adoption process. No matter what step of your adoption journey you are on, Adoption Choices of Missouri is ready and waiting to help assist you. Our adoption caseworkers are on standby to begin working on your behalf. Contact us today so that we can begin helping you with your adoption plan as soon as possible.

Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 1-816-527-9800

Birth Mother Blog

The Top 5 Things Birth Mothers in Missouri Want You to Know About Adoption

May 17, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

The Top 5 Things Birth Mothers in Missouri Want You to Know About Adoption

As an expectant mother who is just beginning your adoption journey. Like a new birth mother, you might feel out of your depth about everything surrounding your adoption process if you have any questions or concerns about the adoption process and may be wondering who to ask. We at Adoption Choices of Missouri have listed the top five things a local Missouri birth mother wants you to know, to help you understand your choice of adoption. Here are the top five things birth mothers in Missouri want you to know.

Things Birth Mothers in Missouri Want You to Know About Adoption

You will Always Have Support
At our agency, Adoption Choices of Missouri, your adoption caseworker will help you find birth mother emotional support, counseling support, and birth mother retreats to help you feel connected to your adoption journey and understand your role as a birth mother and to know that you are a cherished part of your child’s life. You are never alone and will always have the support of other birth mothers who understand what it might feel like going through your adoption process and the mixed emotions that come with not raising your child. As a birth mother, your child will hold you close to their heart. No matter if you are near or far in the state of Missouri, you will always be their birth mother.
Your Opinion Matters
As a birth mother, you should know that your opinion matters. You are in control of your adoption decisions from pre-placement to post-placement. You pick out your child’s adoptive parents and decide what you want during your birth plan and post-placement. No matter what anyone says, you, as your child’s birth mother, play a major role in his or her life.
Embrace your Adoption Emotions
As an expectant mother who will soon become a future birth mother, you might experience many emotions, like sadness, guilt, fear, relief, and this is perfectly okay. Choosing adoption is such a difficult but rewarding decision that comes with many emotions you may feel as your adoption progress moves forward as it becomes finalized. Over the days, months, and even years, don’t hide your feelings; embrace the good and bad days because you are still a mother who is grieving the loss of a child. To embrace your adoption emotions is a great big step to accept your choice of adoption.
Keep Communication Open
Going through your adoption, remember, communication is one of the most important things in your adoption plan. Communicate with your birth parent caseworker if you need help making a list of questions and concerns for the adoptive parents so that you feel heard during your adoption process; your adoption caseworker can assist you with this. Open communication, whether by phone call, email, or video chat, with your child and their adoptive parents will let them know how involved you want to be in your child’s life. In addition, this might help you, your child, and your child’s adoptive parent’s bond grows stronger.
You will Have a Second Mother’s Day
As a birth mother, you get a special Mother’s Day dedicated to you. Birth Mother’s Day celebrates you as a birth mother. Birth Mother’s Day was on Friday, May 8th, the Friday before Mother’s day. As a future birth mother, you need to know that you will always celebrate this day with your child any way you wish. As a birth mother, you might be flooded with many emotions on this day, as this can bring up many emotions from the day your child was born. You also might get to celebrate this holiday not only with your birth child but with your child’s adoptive mother as well to make it extra special. Remember, this is your day to feel loved and appreciated by your birth child and in your choice to choose adoption.

Advice for New Birth Mothers

Going through an adoption process as a new birth mother may seem hard, and you might not know where to turn. However, with the help of our agency, Adoption Choices of Missouri, you can have guidance and support from other birth mothers who have gone through the same experience. Having a birth mother who will help you get through your adoption journey might help you feel more prepared as your adoption moves along and your adoption story can end up as a positive experience.

Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 1-816-527-9800

Birth Mother Blog

The Top 5 Frequently Asked Adoption Questions Adoptees have for Birth Mothers

May 14, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

The Top 5 Frequently Asked Adoption Questions Adoptees have the Birth Mothers

As a birth mother, your birth child might be curious about their birth family or identity. Now, adoption is a beautiful choice, but it comes with some hard and personal questions that you might have to answer even years from now. At Adoption Choices of Missouri, we have listed the five frequently asked questions that you, a birth mother, might be asked by your birth child someday. Here are the top five frequently asked questions adoptees have for their birth mothers.

Advice to Birth Mothers Answering Adoption Questions

The five frequently asked questions listed above might be asked to you by your child, along with many more. These questions are for your child’s benefit to help him or they understand the two sides of the same coin— On one side, they have their adoption journey, and on the other side, they have the story before their birth. Adoption Choices of Missouri, our adoption agency, is here to help you as a birth mother prepare to answer these and many more adoption questions your birth child may have because their birth child’s story matters.

Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 1-816-527-9800

She currently lives in Yorkville, Illinois with her mom and two sisters.

Birth Mother Blog

Five of the Most Common Adoption Misconceptions about Birth Mothers in Missouri

May 12, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Five of the Most Common Adoption Misconceptions about Birth Mothers in Missouri

If you are a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering adoption, you probably already have to deal with people in your life making assumptions about you. You may even have some incorrect adoption expectations yourself. That is exactly why Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to help you navigate your unplanned pregnancy. Your adoption specialist will work with you to help you break free of all those common adoption misconceptions.

The Top 5 Most Common Adoption Misconceptions about Birth Mothers in Missouri

The most common adoption stereotype: the unwed pregnant teenager. While there are still many unwed teenagers facing an unwanted pregnancy, many of the birth mothers who choose adoption are neither underage nor unmarried. In fact, many birth mothers who choose adoption are married women in their late 20’s or early 30’s. Many of these women already have children and families but cannot handle the financial strain, time constraints, or simply just don’t have enough energy to raise another baby.Whether you are a pregnant teenager or are already a mom in your 30’s, it is no one’s business but your own why you are choosing adoption. Even if you are a pregnant teenager seeking help for your unexpected pregnancy, that’s OK too! Whatever your reason for choosing adoption is, it is a perfectly good and valid reason.
That closed adoptions are the most common type of adoption. A closed adoption is when the birth mother does not leave any identifying contact information with the adoptive family. It is usually the stereotype that goes hand in hand with the unwed pregnant teenager. But this is far from the truth. Open adoptions are actually the most common type of adoption in the U.S. today. In an open adoption, birth mothers, their baby, and the adoptive family keep in touch with each other throughout the years. This takes place through phone calls, texts and emails, and even in-person visits. Our adoption agency in Missouri strongly encourages open adoptions because we believe that they keep everyone’s best interests at heart.
When people say that you are “giving up” your baby for adoption instead of “placing” or “putting up” your baby for adoption. One of the most common adoption misconceptions about birth mothers in Missouri is that birth mothers are giving up by choosing adoption. Please remember that adoption is not giving up. Instead, you are doing the opposite by performing a caring and selfless act of love on your part for the benefit of your baby. After all, what is a more noble act than you sacrificing your gift of parenthood for the wellbeing of your baby? That is why we like to say that our birth mothers place their baby for adoption instead of saying “giving up” your baby for adoption.
That there are no resources or financial assistance for birth mothers. Of course, we provide resources for our birth mothers! That is one of the main reasons why our adoption agency even exists in the first place! Our adoption agency is a full-service, licensed adoption agency. This means that we offer a variety of financial assistance for birth mothers. This financial assistance covers things like transportation costs, living expenses, medical care, emotional support resources, and even legal representation.
That it’s easy for birth mothers to “just move on” after the adoption process is completed. This one is simply not true. Most birth mothers find themselves facing some sort of grief over the loss of parenthood that accompanies adoption. This is exactly why our adoption agency provides post-placement resources like emotional support counseling. We value our birth mothers, and this means providing support and a shoulder to cry on even after the adoption process is completed.

If You Need Unexpected Pregnancy Help, Don’t Hesitate to Call

The sooner you call us, the quicker our adoption caseworkers at Adoption Choices of Missouri can get to work helping you. Whether you need help answering basic adoption questions or help to deal with the most common adoption misconceptions about birth mothers in Missouri, our adoption agency is ready and waiting to help you today. Do not wait too long to begin making your adoption plan. Our adoption specialists are on standby to begin helping you with your adoption plan as soon as possible.

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