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Birth Parents’ Rights...It is your right:
- To insist that the focus of the adoption be on the child, not on anyone or anything else.
- To be given as much educational data on adoption as is available when first considering adoption.
- To receive adoption counseling, to explore your options and to plan in detail the type of adoption you want.
- To receive as much correct and detailed information as possible about an adoptive family prior to the placement.
- To expect that the adoptive family with whom you choose to place your child has had adoption education.
- To choose the family who will parent your child.
- To spend as much time as you choose with your child before signing consents.
- To know that while adoption may be the right choice for you and your child, it does not negate your love for your child or the emotional pain caused by the decision.
- To receive as much counseling prior to and following your adoption as you deem necessary.
- To decide how much ongoing contact you wish to have with an adoptive family, when making your adoption plan and, if agreed to by the adoptive family, to have this plan follow through.
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Will counseling be available to me?
Yes, professional counseling is provided by an adoption specialist to help you make a decision about adoption and to help you deal with the loss and sadness following your adoption plan. It is important to talk through the many different questions and concerns you have and the emotions you will feel. Counseling is also helpful for the baby’s father and other family members affected by your adoption plan. Often times, it helps to journal your thoughts and emotions.
How do I select a family?
Once you have decided to do an adoption plan, your counselor at Life for Kids will review your personal information and explore with you what is important to you in a family. Life for Kids will provide you with profiles of families to review. These profiles include a resume of the family, pictures, and a letter they have written to help you get to know them better. All of our families are carefully screened and must be financially, emotionally and spiritually stable. All of our couples are Christian families with strong marriages and are able to provide stable, loving homes.
Once you have selected a family, a meeting is arranged. It is normal for everyone to feel anxious about this meeting. It is an opportunity for you to ask questions and get to know the family more intimately. This meeting is usually very positive and often emotional. How frequently you meet, where, and when is a part of your individual adoption plan.
Your stay at the hospital and saying goodbye
How you spend your time in the hospital is completely up to you. Hospital staff should not treat you any differently than any other expectant parent. Holding the baby, feeding the baby and keeping the baby in the room with you are all decisions that you make. It is important to spend time with your baby. No matter how much or how little, saying goodbye is painful. It will be important to surround yourself with people who recognize your sacrifice and support your decision. |
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"Adoption is a Brave Decision...That you
Don't Have to Make Alone." |
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