5 Types of People You Need on Your Adoption Team

If you’ve made the decision to place your child for adoption, there’s a good chance you already have some idea of what to expect from the adoption process. You’ve probably studied the adoption steps, read over the FAQs, and searched for a few relevant blog posts. You feel prepared and everything seems to be on track. However, it’s important to understand that adoption does not happen overnight.

There are several moving parts involved that include the combined effort of many different people all working together to see the adoption through from beginning to end. As a birth mother, your emotions can be taken on a wild roller coaster ride. Having people to support and assist you during this difficult time can mean all the difference between a positive adoption experience, and one that takes a toll on your mental and emotional well-being.

Placing your child for adoption may be one of the toughest decisions you will make in your life. Chances are you’re going to need a group of people you trust to help you through this. You deserve to feel good about yourself and your decision. If you are struggling with this, you might consider reaching out to your adoption team, the people supporting you during the adoption process. You may be wondering what kind of people you should have in your adoption team. Great question! Listed below are the 5 types of people you need on your adoption team.

• The Cheerleader

Everyone needs a cheerleader once in a while. This person is the one you turn to when you need some cheering up to make it through the day. They are able to make you smile when nothing else can. Whenever you’re feeling down about yourself and need some encouragement, your Cheerleader knows just what to say to make you feel like you can take on the world.

• The Adoption Expert

Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is a leader in the adoption community and we have over 19 years of experience helping birth parents, children, and adoptive families. Your assigned adoption caseworker will help you to navigate the adoption process and be there for you every step of the way. The Adoption Expert is a resource and a wealth of knowledge, so if you have any questions or feel uncertain about something this is your go-to person. We’re here to help and want you to have the best adoption experience possible.

• The Medical Expert

This person is usually a counselor or doctor of some kind but can be any kind of medical professional. The Medical Expert is the person you turn to when you need an expert opinion or medical advice. They could be your counselor, physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, or anyone qualified to offer you professional guidance about your mental, emotional, or physical well-being.

• The Shoulder You can Cry On

Keeping your emotions, thoughts, and feelings bottled up inside can be detrimental to your mental health. Expressing these things in positive, healthy ways is therapeutic and a great way to relieve stress. This is where the Shoulder You can Cry On comes in. They are your emotional support human. They’re there for you when you need to get something off your chest or take the weight off your shoulders. No matter how many times you need to cry and give your emotions an outlet, you can trust that the Shoulder You can Cry On will always let you lean on them.

• The Coach

This person is the Most Valued Person (MVP) of your adoption team. This person may be a friend, family member, or possibly someone who has been in your shoes and knows exactly what you are going through. If you have a problem or need some advice, the Coach is right by your side and ready with an encouraging pep talk. They know how to deliver tough but fair advice and will be honest with you even if what they have to say is tough to hear. The Coach has your back no matter what and congratulates you on your hard work for every win, big or small.

Types of People You Need on Your Adoption Team

Life can be full of challenges. We all have our days of highs and lows. Sometimes, it takes a lot out of us just to keep moving forward. But there’s one thing to remember about those moments when life is a little too much for us to handle — we don’t have to face them alone. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. We are all stronger together than we are apart. Don’t feel ashamed to reach out to the people in your support circle!

Adoption is a collaborative process that consists of several people working hard towards a resolution that keeps the birth mother, the adoptive family, and the child’s best interests in mind. Everyone deserves to have a positive adoption experience, especially you! This is why it’s so important to know the 5 types of people you need on your adoption team. We encourage you to surround yourself with the comfort and support of your friends, loved ones, and professionals. Just know that Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is always on your team.

Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is a private adoption agency, licensed by the state of Oklahoma and leader in the adoption community. We have been assisting birth parents, children, and adoptive families in Oklahoma for over 19 years. Our staff members are committed to providing an ethical, empowering, and personalized adoption experience to all involved in the adoption process.  If you are currently in the process of adopting a baby and have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us.
Toll-free: 800-898-6028 | OKC Local: 405-755-1999 | Tulsa Local: 918-447-7777 | Text: 405-310-8790 | Email

Meet the Author: Kristle Hailes is just your average, Alaska-born writer with a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a dragon’s hoard of books and tea. In addition to educating young minds for over 12 years as a teacher, Kristle is also a professional daydreamer, world-builder, author-in-progress, and wordsmith. Writing is the air in her lungs, and she has been breathing life into paper ever since she learned her ABCs and realized you could play with words.

Kristle currently lives in South Carolina where she can usually be found face-deep in a book and a cup of tea or digging herself out of plot holes while working on the first novel of her adult contemporary fantasy series.