How to Have a Successful Semi-Open Adoption
A semi-open adoption allows birth and adoptive families to communicate through our agency and send updates, letters and pictures back and forth through a secure and confidential online resource called ChildConnect. Birth families generally choose this level of openness in their adoption plan when they want to keep in touch and watch their child grow from a distance. Adoptive families typically choose this method to support the connection their child has with their birth family respectfully. Successful semi-open adoptions impact both parties’ commitment to respecting each other’s boundaries. Sticking to the communication expectations can be rough sometimes, but the most significant value in a semi-open adoption is your child.
Adoption Choices of Oklahoma knows that the semi-open adoption process is just as exciting as it is scary. Both birth and adoptive families play major roles in their child’s life.
PROACTIVE SUPPORT
All parents can agree that giving their children the best life possible is a goal that begins before their child is born. Although you can’t always be there when your child needs a band-aid or a hug, you can continuously grow your relationship by educating yourself about what they’ve gone through. Blogs, message boards and books are all ways you can go about educating yourself about how to be better emotionally supportive. Small steps like these can impact your overall awareness and ability to walk a mile in their shoes.
The choice to grow your family through adoption is about you and the way you parent. The moment your child enters your life, it is about what is best for them. In order to have a successful semi-open adoption, remember that your child’s feelings are more important than anything else.
OPEN DISCUSSIONS
Semi-open adoptions provide accessibility regarding biological family members and past medical records for both the child and adoptive parents. As your child grows, so will their curiosity about their family history. It is certainly not a secret they’re adopted, so don’t make sharing information about their birth family’s culture and experiences any different.
No matter how amazing the child’s life is, they will, at some point, want to know about their biological make-up. Sparing them the time and hassle of exploring their family history is something adoptive parents are aware of when deciding to go with a semi-open adoption. In order to have a successful semi-open adoption, birth and adoptive families understand and respect the entirety of history when it comes to their child.
OPEN COMMUNICATION
Depending on the situation of your semi-open adoption, it’s important to communicate your expectations beforehand. For instance, setting an example of what healthy relationships look like. The relationship between birth and adoptive families is different with each experience, but building a strong and healthy connection with one another is an essential part in making your adoption journey successful.
Adoptive families are responsible for your child’s growth and should not be afraid to deny or limit access to birth family members. This may be difficult for some families to deal with, but the first priority above anything else is the child’s well being. The child’s biological family will always hold a special place in your child’s life. The relationships your child may or may not have with their biological and adoptive families will never replace the relationship you have with them.
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.
Meet the Author: Taylor Papadakis writes for organizations and movements she defines as incorruptible. Born in Texas and raised by wolves, she now resides in a town that refers to themselves as the Palm Springs of Washington. In 2019, Taylor graduated from Central Washington University (CWU) where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Philosophy. Once the treasurer for CWU’s Environmental Club, she assisted in initiating the sustainability garden project and happily educated students, staff and faculty members about the benefits of switching to metal instead of plastic silverware in the dining halls.
Taylor is a first-generation college graduate, former NAIA lacrosse leading scorer, and an avid believer that social media is melting away the youth of today. She actively advocates for social justice and equality, and describes protesting as “a Constitutional right we need to take advantage of because the stake of our future freedoms is incomprehensible.”
When she’s not writing, she’s most likely hiking, biking, sewing or making guacamole.
