4 Ways to Keep Your Family Involved in Your Adoption Plan
If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering adoption, you’re probably searching for support. You can find this support online, through professionals who are familiar with the adoption process. Adoption Choices of Oklahoma, for example, has a lot of experience helping birth mothers through the adoption process. It’s also a good idea to seek assistance and support from those who are close to you.
If you are on good terms with your family, you should consider getting them involved in your adoption plan. While it’s important to seek help from professionals, getting someone you know involved can make the adoption process feel less scary. Here are some ways to keep your family involved in your adoption plan.
1) Tell the Family Members Who Make You Feel the Most Comfortable First
When you’re placing a baby up for adoption and trying to get your family involved, the first and scariest step is telling your family that you’re pregnant. Start with the person you are closest to, the person who will (most likely) have the best reaction and be the most supportive. After that, you can gradually tell everyone else. If you feel nervous approaching your parents or siblings alone, have a supportive friend with you when you tell them.
2) Teach Your Family about Adoption and Share Your Thoughts On the Adoption Process
If you’re trying to get your family involved in your adoption plan, you should explain what adoption entails. You can tell them what types of adoption are available, and you can explain why you are interested in one type over the other. If they understand the adoption process, they will better understand why you think adoption is best for you and your child.
If you think you’ll need help identifying a suitable adoptive family, you can always ask your family for some input. Show them the profiles of potential adoptive families. Share your thoughts on what qualities you want in an adoptive family, and see if they have any suggestions. Maybe they’ll notice or think of something you didn’t consider. You’ll have the final say in who your child will grow up with, but there’s no harm in seeking advice from your family members.
3) Have Your Family Accompany You on Your Adoption Plan Journey
It’s a good idea to have your family physically there to support you on your adoption plan journey. If your parents aren’t busy, ask them to accompany you when you meet with your birth parent counselor or the adoptive family. If you’re very young (i.e. a teenager in high school or younger), they could transport you to such meetings, or they could attend your doctor’s appointments with you. They could be there for the ultrasound screenings. They could also be in the delivery room with you when you give birth.
Having your family present throughout your pregnancy and adoption journey will make you feel good. It will make them feel good, too. Being there to witness the process, being there to meet the people who are involved, will make them feel like they are a part of the adoption plan.
4) Consider Having Your Family Adopt Your Baby
There are cases in which the adoptive parents are related to the birth mother. Sometimes, the birth mother’s parents (i.e. the baby’s grandparents) will adopt the child, and sometimes a different relative will adopt the child. This type of adoption plan is not for everyone. You’ll have to decide early on if you want your baby to grow up with a relative.
Keeping Your Family Involved in Your Adoption Plan
Depending on the relationship you have with your family, getting them involved in your adoption plan can make your experience with adoption much earlier. You’ll feel less alone with your family and friends by your side. Adoption Choices of Oklahoma will also be there for you as you search for an adoptive family.
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: Heather Valenzano is an up-and-coming content creator with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and a minor in English. After graduating from Iona College in 2019, she got an internship – and then a part-time job – writing blogs and managing social media accounts for Hip New Jersey, a lifestyle website owned by Long Shot Productions. She has also produced website and social media content for CommonPage, an external collaboration platform.
When she isn’t working, Heather enjoys watching crime shows like Forensic Files or posting book reviews to OnlineBookClub.org under the username “LavenderLiterature2.”
