Birth Mother Blog

How Adoption Can Be a Part of the Holidays

How Adoption Can Be a Part of the Holidays

By Brendan Finegan

When people think of the holidays, they are often bombarded with images of seasonal festivities, family dinners, and gift-giving. Considering adoption is typically not the first-holiday association that comes to mind, but that does not mean that choosing adoption is not an important decision this time of year. Many birth mothers will need an adoption plan during the holiday season. Just because you have an unplanned pregnancy does not mean that you cannot find an adoption in Missouri that’s right for you. 

You may be plagued with feelings of guilt, anxiety, and sorrow from considering adoption during the holiday season. Shouldn’t the holidays be about family gatherings? How can you have a Missouri adoption when you should be focused on being with your family? Adoption Choices of Missouri wants to show you that adoption is about creating ideal families. Through adoption, you will be empowered to have the family that you want during the holiday season. If adoption still doesn’t feel like it makes sense, take a look at the reasons how adoption is important during the holidays. 

6 Ways Adoption Can Be Included During the Holidays

1. Contact Adoption Choices of Missouri

The first step of starting the adoption process is to find adoption agencies near you. Adoption Choices of Missouri is open year-round, and you’ll be able to schedule an appointment with an adoption specialist regardless of the time of year. We want you to be able to have access to the family life that you want to choose. The adoption process will be challenging, but you will have peace and relief that comes from choosing the life you want.

2. Connect With Your Adoptive Family

Once you’ve decided upon your adoptive family with your adoption specialist, you will be able to meet them. Your adoption specialist will continue to be with you every step of the way throughout the adoption process. Throughout your pregnancy, you will be able to maintain contact with your adoptive family. This will allow you to reassure yourself with your adoptive family. Your adoptive family wants nothing more than to coordinate with you at any point during the holiday season. Whether you’re still in the early stages of your pregnancy or near your due date, your adoptive family will want to support you during a time about family and love. 

3. Get Counseling Sessions

With each adoption plan, Adoption Choices of Missouri guarantees each birth mother counseling to help them battle the complex emotions they’re feeling. Adoption is not an easy or simple process, so we know your mental health is a critical part of the adoption process. Especially when it’s a time of family gatherings, you may have more emotional and personal struggles when choosing adoption. Just remember that adoption is about building families. You’re not giving your child up for adoption; instead, you’re giving them the best opportunity for a family. And in return, you’ll have the family life that you want during the holiday season.

4. Reach Out to Friends and Family

The adoption process is going to come with its trials, so make sure you lean on your support groups extra during the holiday season. It is completely natural to be feeling guilt and sadness when choosing adoption. But know that you are considering adoption to build the life that you want. And your baby will have the proper support and homelife from their adoptive family. If you feel like you don’t have the people in your life to guide you during the holidays, you’ll always have your adoption specialist. 

5. Allow Yourself to Feel Your Emotions

Receiving counseling is a great benefit, but you’ll need to allow yourself to acknowledge the emotions that you’re feeling. Suppressing the grief or fear that you may be feeling during the adoption process will only make your emotions worse. You may be feeling loss or regret, but remember the reason you’re choosing adoption: to have the best family life for yourself and your child. Once you’ve made the tough decision of choosing adoption, you’ll be able to feel relief and joy from your choices. You can have the assurance that you’re going to have many more holiday seasons with the family life that you want.

6. Make Your Adoptive Family a Part of the Holidays

Life does not stop after the adoption process, so you should be mindful of how you want your communication to be with your adoptive family. Depending upon the level of interaction in your adoption plan, you can exchange phone calls, letters, and emails with your adoptive family after your due date. In-person visits and your extended family being involved are also possibilities. If you’re worried about how you may feel for future holidays, coordinate face-to-face visits with your adoptive family so that you can see your child. Or you can have your adoptive family send you pictures of your child. Whatever the level of communication you’re comfortable with, you can have the outreach that you want during the holidays.

The Holidays Are a Time For Celebration, Not Regret

Have the peace of mind that comes with choosing an ideal adoption plan during the holidays. Or even if you’re already along the adoption process, know that you’re making the decisions that’ll benefit both you and your baby’s lives. The holidays are meant to celebrate the time that you have with your family. Adoption Choices of Missouri allows you to create the family life and hope that you want. 

Birth Mother Blog

How Those Who Choose Adoption Receive Emotional Support

How Those Who Choose Adoption Receive Emotional Support

By Brendan Finegan

If you’re worried about what your life will look like after putting your baby up for adoption, know that there is an abundance of resources available to you. The decision to choose adoption is personal and difficult, and Adoption Choices of Missouri provides exceptional counseling sessions during the adoption process. Life does not stop after you finalize an adoption. Through adoption, you will have the ability to live the life you want to lead while also having comfort in knowing that your baby is growing up in a loving and supportive home. Struggling through the emotions post-placement of your baby is real, but with effective counseling and support groups, you will be able to regain control of your life. You can even still raise your own family someday, even after adoption. 

You Will Receive Support Counseling When Choosing Adoption

No matter what your economic or financial background is, you will have access to high-quality support counseling at Adoption Choices of Missouri. Every birth mother is guaranteed post-placement support that will help them navigate the emotions that they’re feeling. You’ll never need to worry about the support that you’ll receive when creating an adoption plan.

What Kind of Services Will You Receive?

Once you’ve started the adoption process, you will have a birth parent counselor assigned to you. Not only do they provide comfort and emotional support, but your birth parent counselor will also assist you with choosing the right adoptive family for you and your baby. Your birth parent counselor will be with you to assist with all your emotional needs leading up to your child’s birth, such as ensuring safe housing while pregnant. With a comfortable home, you’ll have an environment that will help with a successful and healthy pregnancy. And if you feel like finances are a mental strain while pregnant, you can receive assistance with rent, utilities, food, transportation, and maternity clothing. These details are determined with your adoptive parents and vary depending on specific needs and adoption plans. 

What Does Your Support Look Like?

Adoption Choices of Missouri will have adoption agencies near you that provide licensed child-placing support. You will be able to take comfort in the fact that you’re gaining services from professional adoption agencies in Missouri. When you choose your adoption plan, you will have access to pregnancy help and support while you make your decision. As a birth mother, you will have access to adoption case managers who will provide pregnancy guidance, emotional support, and assistance with selecting adoptive parents. 

Have All Your Questions About Adoption Answered

While going through an unplanned pregnancy, you will be surrounded by caring professionals who will provide timely and non-judgemental advice about your options. All your questions and concerns will be addressed as you walk the emotional adoption journey. You probably have so many worries during an unplanned pregnancy that you don’t even know how to sort out your thoughts. If any of the below concerns have appeared in your mind, then you’ll be able to find the proper emotional counseling at Adoption Choices of Missouri.

Have You Had These Worries?

  • How will your decisions affect your future? Always keep in mind that you can have a fulfilling and productive life after choosing adoption. Many women choose to have their child adopted with the comfort of knowing that they will have a supportive and loving family. With the right adoption plan, you will be able to live your life in comfort and receive the necessary emotional support. You can still choose to have a family of your own one day when you’re either personally, emotionally, or financially ready.
  • Are you ready to go through pregnancy and childbirth? The thought of carrying a baby up to and through your delivery date may feel overwhelming. But with the right guidance and support, your birth parent counselor will guarantee you with the emotional counseling to navigate this chapter in your life.
  • Are you worried about your child’s life after adoption? Wanting to set your child up with the best possible life after the adoption process is a natural instinct. At Adoption Choices of Missouri, your birth parent counselor will support you with choosing the right adoption plan for you. Never will you at any point have to feel uncertain or uncomfortable with the decisions that you have to make. The adoption process is designed to settle your emotional needs and woes. You will always have the final say in what adoptive family your child is going to, so you can have comfort in knowing that your child will have the best circumstance that you approve of. 

Know That You’re Not Alone in Your Adoption

On average, over 100 women receive assistance with an unplanned pregnancy per year from adoption agencies in Missouri. Any woman who is facing a pregnancy that they are not ready for needs to have the proper support. Know that there are many women who have gone through the adoption process and received the proper emotional counseling. Whatever your reason for choosing adoption, you’ll have access to resources that you’ll need for a quality life after adoption.

Blog

A Modern Approach to Placing Your Child For Adoption

A Modern Approach to Placing Your Child For Adoption

By Bonnie Wakefield

When you find yourself facing an unplanned pregnancy, you may think there are no other options. However, choosing adoption is always a good answer to consider. “Giving” your child up for adoption is not synonymous with giving up on them. Adoption is a life-changing process that benefits all those involved. These days, the adoption process has become more modern, and birth parents truly have a say in what happens.

At the start of this transformative journey is Adoption Choices of Missouri. Our adoption agency is dedicated to providing love and support to those in need. We are committed to helping women find hope. With our modern approach to adoption in Missouri, you’ll be glad you chose us.

The Modern Adoption Process in Missouri

Modern adoption process means that the birth mother creates the adoption plan. Times are changing, and birth mothers are able to be in control. Birth parents are still able to have contact with their baby and the adoptive parents if they choose so. The beautiful thing about the modern adoption approach is that no two plans are the same. There are three different types of adoptions birth mothers can consider:

Open Adoption: In open adoption, birth parents have the opportunity to maintain a level of contact and communication with the adoptive family. Birth parents and adoptive families are able to stay connected throughout pregnancy, birth, and post-placement. 

As the birth mother, you should know that there are different degrees of openness after the adoption process is completed. You can choose to keep contact by exchanging emails, pictures, and phone calls. Or you can decide to be fully open, which will include in-person visits. With fully open-adoptions, extended family members can also be included in these visits. It’s great to keep an open-mind and a clear line of communication with the adoptive parents during open adoption.

Closed Adoption: With closed adoption, the birth mother and adoptive family never meet. The two parties know very little about each other. Closed adoptions allow for Adoption Choices of Missouri to choose the adoptive family for the child.

Semi-Open Adoption: This type of adoption occupies the middle ground between open and closed adoption. In most cases, non-identifying information is shared between the birth mother and adoptive family. However, the birth mother can receive photos and emails, but it’s usually through a third party, like the adoption agency. Overall, the child usually doesn’t have direct communication with the birth parent.

Adoption Resources

Adoption Choices of Missouri understands the complexities of the adoption journey and offers a range of resources to support you.

Counseling and Support: We know that placing your child for adoption is a difficult decision. There are so many emotions that you could be feeling at any given time. Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to walk you through them. We care about you and offer a compassionate Birth Parent Counselor to be by your side. We ensure that the Birth Parent Counselor provides you the comfort and emotional support needed. Even through post-placement, we are still here.

Medical Care: Access to prenatal care is essential for an expectant mother. We make sure that you apply for Medicaid and receive the medical care necessary throughout your pregnancy.

Safe Housing: Birth mothers require adequate housing and a safe place to sleep. If you don’t have that option, Adoption Choices of Missouri can assist you with finding proper housing. Having a safe home gives the birth mother a solid foundation to rest easy and not be under stressful circumstances.

Financial Support: We know that an unplanned pregnancy can affect your financial situation. There tends to be more expenses than you would think. We assist you with financial support, such as ongoing grocery expenses and more.

Benefits of Choosing Adoption in Missouri

The benefits of adoption for both children and birth parents are wonderful. For children (adoptees), it offers a pathway to stability and security. They are able to receive a loving and supportive family that will foster growth and development. Adoptive families open their hearts to the children they receive and love them as their own.

On the other hand, birth parents also experience positive results through adoption. You gain the empowerment to choose a family that aligns with your aspirations for your child. This choice ensures a future filled with love and opportunity for the adoptee. Additionally, you receive ongoing support and resources from Adoption Choices of MIssouri. You get to continue your life knowing that your child is in a safe place.

If you’re considering adoption, begin your search with “adoption agencies near me” to explore local options. Adoption Choices of Missouri is available to you if you’re considering adoption in Missouri. 

Para obtener información sobre la adopción de bebés en Missouri, es recomendable comunicarse con Adoption Choices of Missouri.

Adoptive Family Birth Mother Blog Putting baby up for adoption

All About the Benefits of Choosing Adoption

All About the Benefits of Choosing Adoption

By Brendan Finegan

When some people think about adoption, they often picture the birth mother as the only significant factor in the process. However, the adoptive parent and child play just as equal roles. You will have to consider what the best plans and options are for your child and the adoptive family during the adoption process. If you’re feeling anxious and hopeless trying to balance everyone’s needs during your unplanned pregnancy, do not worry. Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to help you understand the best choices for your child, the adoptive parents, and yourself.

5 Ways to Make Adoption Work for Everyone

Finding the right adoption agency will give you the best choices for both the adoptive parents and child during an unplanned pregnancy. It’s tough satisfying all the needs of every person included in the adoption process, but through careful planning and support, you’ll find exceptional choices for adoption in Missouri. Adoption Choices of Missouri will provide you with the high-quality professional counseling needed to select a successful adoption plan. If you’re worried giving up your child won’t align with their and the adoptive parents’ needs, take some time to familiarize yourself with your options.

1. You Get to Choose Your Adoptive Family

You will be able to closely coordinate with your adoption specialist to choose your child’s adoptive family. Rest assured your baby will be cared for before, during, and after the adoption process; the choice of what happens to your adopted child is entirely yours. You get to decide if the adoptive family has local roots within your community, has a similar ethnic background as yourself, and possesses the same lifestyle and religious beliefs. After you’ve found the adoptive family that you believe will suit your child’s needs, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the adoptive family. You will have the final choice of moving forward with the adoption process.

2. Find the Type of Adoption that will Work for Everyone

You will have the opportunity to decide between three types of adoption for your child: open adoptions, semi-open adoptions, and closed adoptions. With open adoptions, information such as names, phone numbers, and contact info are shared with the adoptive family. You will get to decide the varying degrees of openness with the adoptive family after the adoption process is finalized. The level of contact post-placement typically includes emails, letters, pictures, phone calls, and in-person visits. 

In a semi-open adoption plan, non-identifying information is shared between you and the adoptive family. You can still exchange letters, photos, and emails during a semi-open adoption either directly or through a third party, but in-person visits with the adoptive family usually do not take place. Your child will typically have no direct communication with you.

If you choose a closed adoption, you will never meet with the adoptive family and will know very little about them. Adoption Choices of Missouri will choose the adoptive family for your child. Keep in mind that the adoption agreement made between you and the adoptive family is only enforced until your child reaches adulthood and can make decisions for themselves.

3. You Will be Able to Ensure that Your Child Has the Best Possible Circumstance

Take comfort in the fact that your child can have the home and lifestyle that you believe is necessary after adoption. If you’re worried about financial security for your child, you’ll be able to find an adoptive family that can provide the support for a quality upbringing. Your child can have a home life and stable family. In return, the adoptive family that you select can provide the life for your child that fits both your criteria.

4. You can Gain the Financial Assistance Needed Throughout the Adoption Process

With your adoption plan, you will bear no cost for the adoption. If eligible, you can coordinate with the adoptive family to cover your living expenses. This way, you will gain support from the adoptive family throughout the adoption process. Your child will be going to a family that understands the difficulties of working and possibly lacking family support while pregnant. Have assurance that your child will be going to a loving home that supports you during your pregnancy.

  1. Get the Medical Services that you Need During the Adoption Process

Adoption Choices of Missouri will ensure that you receive timely and effective prenatal care through our adoption services. It is crucial that you have the necessary healthcare for a healthy and successful delivery. Your baby’s health and safety is essential not just for themself but also for the adoption process with your selected adoptive parents. 

Start your Adoption Process

After carefully choosing what will be most beneficial for yourself, your child, and the adoptive parents, you can begin the adoption process. Taking the time to consider what option is best for every party involved will create the smoothest and most effective adoption process possible. Take a look at the steps outlined below if you’re unsure how to start the adoption process. An unplanned pregnancy can be stressful and overwhelming, but we’re here to help.

  1. Contact Adoption Choices of Missouri at (816) 527-9800 to have all your questions and concerns answered.
  2. Meet with an adoption specialist to discuss options, information, and support.
  3. Select an adoptive family for you based on your preferences.
  4. Create a hospital and birth plan so that your baby can leave with the adoptive family after birth.
  5. Receive post-placement counseling after the adoption.

Giving your child up for adoption is not an easy decision, but after selecting the best possible plan, your baby will have the life that will bring you comfort and relief after adoption. Pick from the adoption agencies near you that will get rid of the worries and anxiety of an unplanned pregnancy.

 

Adoption agencies in Missouri Birth Mother Blog

All About Missouri Adoption Agencies

All About Missouri Adoption Agencies

By Nicholas Rodinos

 Adoption agencies are an important part of society, caring for children and ensuring that they’re placed in safe homes. Many people have questions about adoption agencies, especially private adoption agencies, regarding what they do and who they help. One important question many adoption agencies get is, “What are the differences between private and public adoption?” Our adoption agency will explain the importance of adoption agencies and the differences between private and public adoption.

Adoption Choices of Missouri can provide answers to your adoption questions and provide solutions for your adoption needs. We provide plans to determine how much contact you want with your child, and plans for birth accommodations. Our adoption agency specializes in caring for birth mothers, especially in cases of unplanned pregnancy and crisis pregnancy. We provide financial support, medical care, housing, transportation, counseling, and adoption planning so you can prioritize your needs.

What Are Private Adoption Agencies?

Private adoption agencies provide a vital service by ensuring the safety of both the birth mothers and their children. A private adoption agency is a group of social workers who help birth mothers place their children for adoption. These agencies can also provide adoption support, such as financial assistance, medical care, housing, transportation, counseling, and adoption planning.

What Do Private Adoption Agencies Do?

They help a birth mother give a child up for adoption by ensuring the adoptive parents are qualified caregivers. Birth mothers contact an adoption agency, about placing their children, and the agency helps them find adoptive parents. Adoption agencies near you allow you to decide what qualities you want and what type of adoption you want.

Who Do Private Adoption Agencies Help?

Private adoption agencies help birth mothers who choose to place their children for adoption and adoptive parents. Our agency helps birth mothers seeking adoption in Missouri and provides them with various adoption resources. Private Missouri adoption agencies help adoptive parents find children to raise and care for. These agencies help birth mothers ensure their children’s safety and provide children with great adoptive parents.

The Differences Between Private Adoption and Public Adoption

There are many differences between private and public adoptions, private adoption gives birth mothers more options than public adoption. Public adoption usually happens after birth mothers are found too irresponsible to raise children. Both adoption types are important, private adoption provides birth mothers with more options and control over the adoption process. Public adoption takes children from unfit homes, whilst giving the parents a chance to improve their conditions.

Private Adoption

Voluntary Placing a Child for Adoption

Private adoption involves you choosing to place your child for adoption, and adoption agencies helping you find adoptive parents. You’re in control of who adopts your child, and you can determine what qualities you want in adoptive parents. As part of the adoption process, we allow you to meet and interview the potential adoptive parents. With private adoption, you are intentionally creating a loving family for your child, and ensuring their needs are met.

More Resources

Private adoption provides birth mothers with more options in terms of support. With private adoption, you may receive financial assistance, medical care, housing, and transportation. Your Missouri adoption agency will see if you qualify and try to match you with whatever resources you need. These resources are provided so that you have fewer things to stress about during your pregnancy.

The Ability to Create an Adoption Plan

Private adoption allows you to create adoption plans, so you can know more about your child’s wellbeing. These plans allow you to determine the amount of contact you have with the adoptive families. Adoption plans consist of open, semi-open, and closed, with open providing the most contact, and closed providing no contact.

Public Adoption

Less Adoption Control

Public adoption often involves children being taken from their birth parents, because they were found unfit to raise children. Birth mothers usually don’t have control over the public adoption process, as their parental rights have been stripped. They can regain their parental rights; however, they must establish that they can care for their child. Public adoption provides you with fewer choices than private Missouri adoption agencies near you.

Fostering To Adopt

Adoptive parents who use public adoption usually foster the child first and later file to adopt them. While adoptive parents can foster to adopt, the birth family is usually the first choice to adopt the child. Foster parents are usually chosen when the birth family can’t provide a home.

Fewer Adoption Resources

Public adoption doesn’t provide as many resources to birth mothers as private adoption agencies do. Private adoption agencies in Missouri can provide more resources than traditional public adoption does. The public adoption process doesn’t provide financial assistance, adoption planning, medical care, counseling, transportation, or housing.

The Importance of Adoption Agencies

Adoption agencies provide birth mothers with the ability to plan out every aspect of the adoption process. These agencies provide vital resources to help birth mothers cope during and after their pregnancies. Adoption agencies are just as important as public adoption services, both prioritize the health and safety of the children.

If you’re a birth mother seeking adoption support, Adoption Choices of Missouri can provide you with the necessary resources. Our agency makes giving a child up for adoption, a simpler process while caring for your mental health needs. We focus on your psychological and emotional needs, and let you decide what your adoption needs are. Contact our agency, and our adoption staff can help you through the stages of the adoption process.

Adoption Choices of Missouri proporciona información sobre adopción, recursos y atención especializada para madres biológicas en crisis. Esta agencia de adopción puede explicarle y ayudarle a explorar las diferencias entre la adopción pública y privada. Nuestra agencia puede ayudarle con la adopción de bebés, la planificación de la adopción, y la planificación del parto. Las agencias de adopción brindan control sobre el proceso de adopción y múltiples formas de apoyo a la adopción.

Birth Mother Blog

All about Adoptees: The Children of the Adoption Process

All about Adoptees: The Children of the Adoption Process

By Moki Murillo

 

What does adoption mean for my child? Many birth mothers have that thought after realizing that they are having an unplanned pregnancy. Contrary to popular belief, most birth mothers do care about their children. Although they have good reasons to give their child up for adoption, it is hard not to worry. After all, another family would be taking custody of their child.

Even if the birth mother is updated regularly, they won’t always know what their child is feeling. Is the child happy? Are they sad? How do they feel about their birth mother?

At Adoption Choices of Missouri, we understand how pressing these concerns are for most birth mothers. We also understand that knowing more about the adoption process itself can put more of these worries at ease. Thankfully, our adoption agency has much experience in this field and is more than willing to share.

How to Start the Adoption Process in Missouri

To begin the adoption process, your first step is to contact one of our adoption agencies in Missouri. For  Adoption Choices of Missouri, this means calling or texting us via the number found on our website. This will allow you to schedule a meeting with one of our birth parent specialists. After bringing proof of pregnancy, your specialist will then provide you with the paperwork to form your adoption plan.

Your adoption plan can allow you to begin screening possible adoptive families for your baby. As the birth mother, you get the final word on who gets to take your baby home. If you are eligible, your adoption plan can cover any reasonable living and medical expenses. This can include prenatal care with regular visits to a doctor. If needed, we can even provide you with free temporary housing.

Once the adoption plan is formed, you can then wait for your due date to arrive. In the meantime, you can continue communicating with both your birth parent specialist and the adoptive family.

When your due date arrives, your specialist should be present at the hospital to advocate for you as needed. Once the baby is born, the adoptive family of your choice will take the baby home. Your specialist will then schedule a court date for you to officially consent to the adoption. 

If you are pursuing an open adoption, you can begin communication with your child’s adoptive family. At the bare minimum, you should receive letters and pictures from your adoption specialist. We will also continue to pay for your expenses for six weeks after delivery. This is how the adoption process should proceed, but what does that mean for your child?

The Adoptees of the Adoption Process

In open adoptions, birth mothers are able to keep up to date on their child. Arrangements can be made to allow the birth mother to be involved in their child’s life. They could even meet their child if the adoptive parents consent. Most birth mothers choose open adoptions for this reason, but they often raise a number of concerns. The following are their most asked questions.

How Will My Child Feel About Their Adoption?

These days, most adoptive parents inform their children of their adoption status as soon as they can understand it. The “big adoption reveal” is not as dramatic in modern times as popular media would suggest. That being said, some adoptive parents are known to delay that reveal for as long as they can. Regardless of when they learn the truth, this information does have the potential to shake adoptees. Being put up for adoption does raise questions for them.

  • “What does being adopted mean for me?” 
  • “Does that mean that I was unwanted?” 
  • “What should I do with this information?”

In our experience, adoptees are more likely to adjust if they can talk to their birth parents. After the initial shock, most adoptees become curious. At worst, they feel lost, but they are rarely angry. Oftentimes, they just want answers about their past and their identity. This is especially true if the adoptive family is from another culture, race, or ethnic group. Your child might  be navigating between different identities and may struggle to find a place for themselves. Having an open and supportive birth parent can help your child make peace with themselves sooner. You can even advise their adoptive parents if your child wants to explore your culture.

Regardless of their circumstances, adoptees have the right to their original birth certificate, citizenship, personal information, and history. Many adoptees may want this information, but it can be lost. In that case, it would mean a lot to your child if you could help provide this information.

While delivering this information to your child in person is ideal, you can choose to keep your distance. The adoptive parents can help you as intermediaries, or you can communicate with your child remotely.

What Should I Tell My Child if They Ask About Their Adoption?

If your child asks why you couldn’t keep them, then your best course of action is to be honest. Tell your child about the circumstances of their birth and why adoption was necessary. You should tell them that you love them. The choice was difficult, but you believe that the family they have now can give them a better future. And if you can, tell them you are there if they need you.

What Does Adoption Mean for You and Your Child?

Giving your child up for adoption is never an easy choice. Trying to have a relationship with your child can be even harder. If you want to pursue a less open or even closed adoption, we will not condemn you. While we offer our advice, each adoption is a unique case with no real guarantees on the adoptee’s feelings. You know yourself and your own circumstances better than anyone. If you believe that not being involved is for the best, then you know what you have to do. 

However, if you don’t feel that way, then at least keep our advice in mind. Your child may likely have questions about themselves that only you can answer. While your child will always love their adoptive family, that doesn’t mean that it has to be exclusive. You might be able to earn that love if you put in the effort.

If you need help putting your baby up for adoption, then call or text Adoption Choices of Missouri today.

Birth Father Blog

All About Missouri Birth Fathers

All About Missouri Birth Fathers

By Nicholas Rodinos

Adoption agencies discuss many aspects of the adoption process. However, one that must be discussed is the birth fathers. Some discussions of birth fathers spread misinformation that paints them in a negative light. Our adoption agency seeks to clear up these misconceptions and provide facts about birth fathers’ role in adoption. Birth fathers can be a vital component of the adoption process and the birth mother’s greatest supporters. 

Adoption Choices of Missouri has experience helping birth parents place their children for adoption and finding good homes. You can find us by searching ‘adoption agencies near me,’ and we can provide you with powerful adoption support. Our agency can support you if the birth father is not as supportive of you or the adoption process. If eligible, we can provide birth mothers with financial assistance, medical care, housing, transportation, and counseling.

What is Adoption?

Adoption is when parents who cannot care for their children give their children to people who can raise them. Parents who place their children for adoption, birth parents, are often surprised by unplanned pregnancies. Adoption agencies help them by testing adoptive parents and checking to see which adoptive parents can raise children. These agencies give birth parents control over the adoption process to ensure their health and happiness.

Birth Fathers and Adoption

A birth father is the biological father of the baby being placed for adoption. Birth fathers can be powerful supporters of the adoption process, providing birth mothers the comfort they need. They are usually part of the adoption process and help create an adoption plan. If the birth father doesn’t know, your adoption agencies can contact him and tell him about the adoption process. 

A Birth Father’s Role in the Adoption Process

The birth father can take many roles in the adoption process, adoption planning, and even choosing adoptive parents. Some birth fathers can provide financial support, while others provide a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. If a birth father cannot provide financial support, a local Missouri adoption agency can. The most important role a birth father can play in the adoption process is emotionally supporting the birth mother.

Why Birth Fathers Matter to the Adoption Process

The birth father’s primary role in the adoption process is providing the birth mother with emotional support. A birth father’s greatest role is prioritizing the mental health, emotional needs, and safety of the birth mother. Many birth fathers help the birth mother by having them discuss their expectations of the adoptive parents. As a part of adoption in Missouri, a birth father can help you decide the adoptive parents.

Facts About Birth Fathers and Adoption:

Many people are misinformed regarding birth fathers and their role in the adoption process. Some people believe birth fathers choose adoption to avoid responsibility. Others think birth fathers don’t support the adoption process. Adoption agencies seek to clear up these misconceptions and provide people with the facts about birth fathers. 

Birth Fathers Can Be Very Supportive of Adoption

Many birth fathers support the adoption process because they want to support the birth mother’s choice. Many birth fathers understand that they cannot provide for their children and trust adoption agencies to find adoptive parents. Several birth fathers trust Missouri adoption agencies because they know these agencies will support both birth parents.

Birth Fathers Can Form an Adoption Plan

Birth fathers can help you create an adoption plan and decide how much contact they want with their child. You and the birth father can decide whether you want more contact or more privacy from the adoptive parents. There are three specific types of adoption plans: open, semi-open, and closed, each providing different amounts of contact.

Birth Fathers Need Adoption Counseling as Well

Adoption is a beautiful process. However, it can leave birth parents with grief once their child has been placed. Both birth parents need counseling once the adoption process is complete so that their mental health needs are met. Adoption agencies near you can provide therapy to help you both discuss your post-adoption pain and learn to cope. Your adoption agency can provide a therapist who helps you create coping mechanisms so your grief doesn’t define you. 

Myths About Birth Fathers and Adoption:

Allow us to clarify: these are misconceptions, and the situation is more complicated than the myths we’re discussing here. Sometimes, these myths come from misunderstandings and ignorance; other times, they involve negative experiences with birth fathers. Most birth fathers do care about the birth mothers and their children and genuinely want to support them both.

Birth Fathers Don’t Support Adoption

Many birth fathers support the adoption process because they cannot afford to raise their children. The birth father often supports the birth mother’s decision and helps her decide what she wants for her child. Many birth fathers side with birth mothers so that they have one less thing to worry about.

Birth Fathers Seek Adoption Agencies Because They Don’t Love Their Children

Most birth fathers do love their children and genuinely want to support them. However, not all of them can. Many birth fathers choose adoption because they know some adoptive parents can provide for their children. Some birth fathers choose adoption agencies in Missouri because they are not ready to be parents. There are many reasons birth fathers choose adoption; most choose adoption because they cannot care for their children.

Adoption Agencies Don’t Let Birth Fathers Have Power

Part of adoption in Missouri allows both the birth father and mother to have power over the adoption process. The birth father does have a say in who adopts the child and how much post-adoption contact he has. Birth fathers can say what qualities they want in adoptive parents and which type of adoption they prefer.

Adoption Agencies Can Support You

Adoption agencies can help you and the birth father through every phase of the adoption process. Missouri adoption agencies will provide you with qualified adoptive parents to care for your baby. Our agencies can provide the necessary counseling so that you both can healthily move forward with your lives. We can help you with your adoption needs and ensure the safety of your child.

If you’re pregnant and need adoption help, Adoption Choices of Missouri can provide you with the necessary adoption support. We can help you through every step of the adoption process, including creating both adoption and birth plans. Our adoption agency helps both birth parents find suitable adoptive parents to ensure the child’s safety. Contact us, and we can help you through every step of the adoption process.

Adoption Choices of Missouri puede ayudar a los padres biológicos a colocar a sus hijos en adopción. Esta agencia ayuda a los padres biológicos a realizar la adopción de bebés y a planificar la adopción. Nuestras agencias pueden ayudar de otras maneras, como brindando apoyo financiero, atención médica, vivienda, transporte y asesoramiento. Comuníquese con nuestra agencia de adopción y podremos brindarle todas las formas de apoyo para la adopción disponibles.

Birth Mother Blog

How the Adoption Process Works in Missouri

How the Adoption Process Works in Missouri

By Moki Murillo

Pregnancy, especially an unplanned pregnancy, can change a woman’s life forever. Unfortunately, not everyone is willing or even able to handle the responsibility of raising children.

Have you recently received a positive pregnancy test but are not ready to raise the child? Then perhaps you should have your child put up for adoption.

You may instinctively recoil at the suggestion. After all, society tells us that giving children up for adoption is essentially the same as abandoning them. However, this is far from the case. Adoption Choices of Missouri has worked with many birth mothers in our time in the field. We know that most birth mothers are self-aware of their own circumstances and are thinking about their child’s future. Unfortunately, the subject of adoption has been littered by stereotypes and misinformation over the years.

Our agency wants to help change that. Hopefully, knowing more about the adoption process will help you consider the option in a fair and honest light.

The Adoption Process

To begin, you must first make contact with one of our adoption agencies in Missouri. You can call or text the agency via the number found on our website. Our representative will then schedule a meeting with one of our birth parents specialists. You need to bring proof of pregnancy, but afterward, your specialist will help you make an adoption plan.

Your adoption plan will allow you to screen through potential adoptive families and choose which one adopts your baby. You can interview these families personally, and this communication can even be regular throughout your pregnancy. However, these benefits are only available to certain adoption types. If you don’t want any contact with the adoptive family after placement, then choose closed adoptions. Open adoptions, however, allow you to have a relationship with the adoptive family. You might even have the chance to meet your child if both you and the adoptive parents consent. There are even semi-open adoptions, which allow you to receive updates on your child without ever meeting them.

While you are pregnant, you need to keep up with doctor’s appointments and stay in touch with your specialist. At your due date, your specialist should be present at the hospital to act as your advocate as needed. Once the baby is born, your chosen adoptive family will take your child home. Your birth parent specialist will then schedule a court date, where you will officially consent to the adoption.

Our Adoption Services

These are the basic steps of our adoption process, but our service doesn’t end there. Adoption Choices of Missouri is an agency that cares for its birth mothers. If you are eligible, you can access services that should lighten your burden during this often difficult process.

1. Financial Assistance During Adoption

First thing’s first, you will not get paid for adoption. That is both a common myth and very illegal in this country. The adoption process itself is actually free for birth mothers like you.

If you are eligible, your adoption plan can even cover your living and medical expenses within reason. Reasonable living expenses include rent, utilities, groceries, phone service, transportation, and maternity clothes. Additionally, your plan can also cover prenatal care.

Of course, how much financial assistance you will receive will depend on your circumstances. A birth mother living with their parents probably won’t receive as much as a single mother already raising children. The former is likely already supported financially, which is by their parents in this case. We also understand that these circumstances can change within nine months. In that case, contact your birth parent specialist to get the assistance you need.

2. Legal Assistance During Adoption

Adoption in Missouri, like in all other states, is a process that is tied to legal systems. In our experience, any number of legal complications can halt the adoption process. For example, the father of your child might refuse to consent to the adoption. You would most likely need to take the issue to court, and it can be costly.

Thankfully, our adoption agency is willing to advocate for you if such a thing were to happen. If you are eligible, we can cover your adoption-related legal expenses. We can even provide you with legal counseling, but we hope that it won’t come to that. 

Adoption can be a difficult process for the birth mother, after all. The last thing we want is for you to face more hardships.

3. Mental Health Support During Adoption

Giving a child up for adoption isn’t easy for the birth mother. Many of the birth mothers we worked with agonized for days before making this decision. While they understand that they have good reason to choose adoption, feelings of regret and anxiety can linger. These feelings can even worsen with pregnancy hormones and conditions like postpartum depression.

These reasons and more are why we offer free mental health support as part of your adoption plan. If you are eligible, your mental healthcare expenses can be covered by your plan. In addition to one-on-one therapy, we can even provide group therapies and support groups.

4. Continued Support After Adoption

Adoption Choices of Missouri understands that a birth mother’s struggles often do not end after placement. For example, you might need continued mental health support if you suffer from postpartum depression. Thankfully, our adoption agency supports birth mothers even after placement is done. 

Your adoption plan can cover your reasonable living and medical expenses for six weeks after placement. If you are eligible, you can even arrange to have continued support after this time passes. For example, we can cover therapy sessions if you have an episode during one of your child’s milestones.

Adoption Choices cares for its birth mothers, so don’t be afraid to reach out.

Choosing Adoption in Missouri

This decision won’t be an easy one. Even if you have the best reasons in the world, your emotions may not always comply with your needs. You will most likely have lows or bad days during this pregnancy. Thankfully, you won’t have to endure these challenges alone.

Our agency will support you at every step of the process. If you are eligible, we will take care of your budget and help to lessen your mental burdens. We could even advocate for you. And best of all, you have the right to be involved in every step of the adoption process. With Adoption Choices, you are allowed to do whatever you need to secure your child’s future.

If you are pregnant and in need of adoption services, call or text Adoption Choices of Missouri today.

Birth Mother Blog

All About Missouri Adoptive Parents

All About Missouri Adoptive Parents

By Nicholas Rodinos

Adoptive parents are a key component of the adoption process and are rarely discussed. They are in charge of caring for your child and ensuring that they become a well-adjusted individual. Today we will be discussing the importance of adoptive parents, and your say in the adoption process. We’ll discuss how adoption agencies check if adoptive parents can raise a child and match them to birth mothers.

Adoption Choices of Missouri will provide you with all the information you need to know about the adoption process. This adoption agency provides a variety of adoptive parents and helps you decide which ones meet your needs. Our private adoption agency specializes in cases of unplanned pregnancy or crisis pregnancy. Adoption agencies trust you to choose the adoptive parents and create an adoption plan that meets your needs.

Adoption And Adoptive Parents

What Is Adoption?

Adoption is when a biological parent places their child with an agency, who finds parents to raise the child. The adoption agency checks the adoptive parents to ensure they can raise children and provide a safe environment. The agency will ask birth mothers what type of adoption, and adoption plan they want and match them accordingly.

Who Are Adoptive Parents?

Adoptive parents are people who take in someone else’s biological child and raise and care for the child. Adoption agencies in Missouri check if these adoptive parents can care for children and match them with birth mothers. These adoptive parents provide for the child’s needs and give them a safe home. 

Why Do Adoptive Parents Choose Adoption?

Many adoptive parents have complicated reasons for choosing adoption. Adoptive parents choose this path for many different reasons, what matters is that they care for their children. 

  • Some adoptive parents cannot have biological children, so they seek out adoption agencies to help other people’s children.
  • Certain adoptive parents choose adoption because they’re worried about passing on health conditions.
  • Some adoptive parents provide a home for adoptees because they want to help a child.

How The Adoption Process Works for Adoptive Parents

The birth mothers have complete control over the adoption process, so adoptive parents are chosen based on their needs. Your adoption agency checks the adoptive parents’ criminal records, medical history, and financial records to ensure your child’s safety. You’ll decide what qualities you want in your adoptive parents and an adoption plan (open, semi-open, or closed). If there are specific types of adoption you want (same-sex, or transracial), your agency will match your needs.

Adoption agencies near you will match you with adoptive parents and allow you to meet with them. You can discuss the adoption plan and the birth plan and their roles in both. If you want, you can keep in touch with the adoptive parents up to the birth. After the child is born, your adoption plan will determine how much contact you have with the adoptive parents.

Adoption FAQs

How Do Adoption Agencies Select Adoptive Parents?

Adoption agencies near you, find adoptive parents who match your needs and will grant you the contact you want. The Missouri adoption agencies have thoroughly checked the adoptive parents to ensure that they’re capable of raising your child. These agencies have thoroughly checked the adoptive parents’ history and made sure that they meet your requirements. Adoption agencies are trained to meet your needs and find suitable matches in terms of adoptive parents.

Can I Select Adoptive Parents Before Adoption?

Part of adoption in Missouri, allows you to determine what you want from the adoptive parents. You can decide what specific type of adoption, and adoption plan you would like. Your adoption agency will match you with the candidates. If you want, you can interview the adoptive parents and see what qualities they have.

Can I Meet with Adoptive Parents Before the Adoption?

Yes, Missouri adoption allows you to meet and interview the adoptive parents to see if they meet your standards. You can discuss the adoption plan, how many updates you’ll receive, and what forms of contact you’ll have. If you want, you can discuss the birth plan and any accommodation you may need.

How Does My Adoption Plan Affect the Adoption Parents?

The adoption plan you choose impacts how much contact you have with the adoptive parents and your child. Both open and semi-open adoption plans allow you to contact the adoptive parents, during and after the adoption. 

Open adoption plans have you swap contact information with the adoptive parents and receive updates about your child’s life. Some adoptive parents will contact you through email, or phone calls sharing updates about your child’s health, and interests. These adoptive parents might want to wait until your child is older to reintroduce you to them. While other adoptive parents might immediately treat you like family and invite you to celebrations.

Semi-open adoption plans are designed to give you a healthy combination of privacy and contact. You’ll have less contact with the adoptive parents; however, they might be open to granting you more contact. Semi-open adoption involves using information that can’t be traced back to you so that you can remain anonymous.

Closed adoption plans provide no contact, once the paperwork is signed, the birth mother loses her parental rights. You won’t have any contact with the adoptive parents, and they won’t contact you. Adoption agencies will provide the adoptive parents with your medical information, in case of emergencies. This form of adoption is usually done in cases of severe trauma.

Does Much Does Adoption Cost?

Adoption is free, however, there are benefits adoption agencies in Missouri can provide for you. Part of adoption in Missouri involves financial support, medical services, counseling, housing, and transportation if the services are necessary. Your adoption counselor can provide you with these, you just must tell them if you need adoption support. If you qualify, financial assistance will be provided to you, one month after your child’s birth.

Adoption Agencies Find Great Adoptive Parents

Adoption agencies make sure that you’re finding great parents who meet your needs and parenting standards. These agencies make sure that you are in control throughout the adoption process, and that your child is safe. The adoptive parents you choose will be a match for you, and ensure your child has a bright future.

If you have questions about adoption, Adoption Choices of Missouri can give you the answers you need. Your adoption agency will give you control over the adoption process, so you can decide who raises your child. The agency can support you through the adoption process so that your physical, mental, and emotional needs are met. Contact us; our adoption agency can help you through every stage of the adoption process.

Adoption Choices of Missouri puede responder a sus preguntas sobre adopción y ayudarle durante el proceso de adopción. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre la adopción de bebés, nuestra agencia le brindará la información que necesita. Nuestra agencia de adopción puede encontrar padres adoptivos que le brinden a su hijo un hogar seguro y amoroso. Le daremos el control del proceso de adopción y le ayudaremos a determinar cuánto apoyo necesita.

Birth Father Birth Mother Blog

National Adoption Month and Its Importance

National Adoption Month and Its Importance

By Nicholas Rodinos

It’s a wonderful time, November is National Adoption Month, a time to celebrate the beauty of adoptive families. National Adoption Month exists to celebrate everyone involved in the adoption process. It’s a chance to discuss the benefits of adoption and create new ways to celebrate the wonders of adoption. There are many different forms of celebration when it comes to adoption. Let our agency help you celebrate.

Adoption Choices of Missouri is an adoption agency dedicated to serving birth mothers and adoptive parents throughout our state. Our agency helps birth mothers place their children for adoption so both birth mothers and children can be happy. We are one of the leading private adoption agencies in Missouri, specializing in emotionally supporting our birth mothers.

What Is Adoption?

Adoption is when biological parents give their child to a credible agency that finds parents to raise the child. The agencies will help you choose the adoptive parents according to your requirements for parents. These adoption agencies check the adoptive parents to make sure they can raise and afford to raise your child. Adoption agencies will help you put your child up for adoption and find adoptive parents to care for them.

National Adoption Month

Before celebrating National Adoption Month, we should learn the history of this wondrous holiday. In 1976, the then-governor of Massachusetts, Mike Dukkakis, made the first week of November National Adoption Week. This holiday was created to give birth parents, adoption professionals, and adoption agencies the admiration they deserve. In 1995, former President Bill Clinton extended the week into National Adoption Month, demonstrating the significance of adoption. 

The Importance of The Adoption Process

The adoption process grants children loving homes and lets birth mothers move forward. Giving a child up for adoption is not ‘giving up’; instead, it provides them with a new beginning. The adoption process checks adoptive parents’ backgrounds and allows birth mothers to select the ones that match their requirements. You can decide what qualities you want in the adoptive parents and how much contact you have with them.

Reasons Why Birth Mothers Choose Adoption

Many birth mothers place children for adoption for safety, financial, or personal reasons. Each birth mother chooses adoption for a different reason. However, there are many common reasons why some choose adoption.

  • They can’t afford to raise their child.
  • They’re living in an unstable environment that wouldn’t support a child.
  • They aren’t ready to raise a child.
  • Some birth mothers are surprised by an unplanned pregnancy.
  • They feel someone else can better care for their children.

Whatever your reason for choosing, adoption agencies are here to support you and your baby’s needs.

7 Benefits of Adoption

There are many benefits to placing a child for adoption: benefits for the child, birth mother, and adoptive parents. Don’t think about it as giving a child up for adoption. Instead, you’re giving your child a home and a family their child. Whatever you choose, adoption agencies will be there to support you.

1. Adoption Lets You Choose Your Future

If you don’t feel ready for children, adoption can help you choose your life path. You may be in college, trying to earn a degree, and you’re worried about jeopardizing your academic future. Maybe you’re at a great point in your career, and you don’t feel you’re ready for a baby. Whatever your reason, our Missouri adoption agencies give you the power to make your own decisions about your future.

2. Adoption Agencies Ensure the Safety of Your Child

Adoption provides children with safe homes and loving adoptive parents to make them appreciate life. Part of adoption in Missouri is checking that the adoptive parents can raise your child. Adoption agencies vet candidates to ensure they’ll be good adoptive parents and provide a safe environment for your child.

3. Adoption Agencies Provide Generous People A Family

You are nobly giving a couple a chance to raise a child and have a family of their own. Some adoptive parents can’t have kids of their own, and adoption agencies provide a chance to create a family. Your decision can create a beautiful family that loves, protects, and cherishes each other.

4. Ways To Celebrate National Adoption Month

National Adoption Month is a time to celebrate, and you can celebrate it any way you want. There are many ways to celebrate this momentous time, whether it’s promoting adoption or just celebrating by yourself. How you celebrate is important, but what’s more important is that you’re caring for your mental health.

5. Discussing Your Adoption Experience

If you feel comfortable, you can discuss your experience with Missouri adoption agencies and the resources they provide. You can tell your friends and loved ones about the importance of the adoption process and adoption professionals. This can be an opportunity to educate people and clear up misconceptions about adoption.

6. Celebrating Adoption By Talking With The Adoptive Parents

If you’re ready and your adoption plan allows, you can talk with the adoptive parents about your child’s well-being. You can talk with the adoptive parents about your child’s health, hobbies, interests, school life, and how they’re adjusting. It can be cathartic for birth mothers to know that their children are thriving in their new lives.

7. Celebrating Adoption By Taking Time For Yourself

If you feel like you need time for yourself, that’s fine. It’s important to care for yourself. You may want time to yourself so that you can relax or process any thoughts or emotions. If you feel it’s necessary, some counselors can talk with you about any post-adoption grief. 

Time To Celebrate Birth Parents, Adoption, and Adoption Agencies

National Adoption Month is a time to respect yourself for having the courage to place a child for adoption. This month is to celebrate everyone involved in the adoption process for their dedication to the children’s futures. There are many ways you can celebrate National Adoption Month, from talking about adoption to spending time with family. How you celebrate is up to you, as long as you are prioritizing your health and happiness.

Adoption Choices of Missouri can help you celebrate National Adoption Month and express adoption’s importance as a resource. We are a private adoption agency that provides birth mothers with the tools they need for their adoption journey. Our adoption agency can give you the support you may need during these difficult, emotionally complicated times. Contact us if you have any questions regarding adoption, including adoption planning, birth planning, or adoption resources.