Everything You Need to Know about Finding the Right Family
As someone choosing adoption, you simply want to give your baby a chance at the best life possible. Part of that process involves finding the right adoptive family for your child. But, how do you go about doing that, exactly? That’s why we’re here to help.
Although you may feel overwhelmed at first, finding the perfect adoptive parents is often one of the most reassuring parts of the adoption process for many people. There are thousands of hopeful adoptive families who would be grateful for the chance to give your child a happy, loving home. You can begin browsing adoptive family profiles whenever you feel ready.
To help you find the right adoptive parents for your baby, we’ve put together this detailed guide If you have more questions while you’re reading, you can contact us online. We’ll connect you to a helpful adoption agency.
Choosing an Adoption Agency in Iowa
Before you begin searching for adoptive families, it can be helpful to have an adoption agency by your side. On top of this, the process of choosing a family may vary depending on what agency you work with. Remember you are always in charge of this decision, and you can determine all the qualities you want in the adoptive family.
But, some agencies will give you a better chance of finding a family you truly believe in. Also, you are not limited to choosing a family in Iowa. By working with a national adoption agency to find a family, you won’t be limited and will have more to choose from. But, you can still choose a family in the Hawkeye State if you want to.
To help you find adoptive parents in Iowa or anywhere else in the country, here are a few adoption agencies to get you started:
Selecting the right adoption agency can go a long way toward helping you find families that want to adopt your baby. If you need some help narrowing down your choices, then we are always a phone call away at 1-800-ADOPTION.
Choosing the Right Adoptive Family for Your Child
Once you choose an adoption agency to work with, you can talk with your adoption professional about what type of family you envision your child with. As you search for families looking to adopt a baby in Iowa, here are some aspects you can keep in the back of your mind:
- What type of environment do I picture my child in? Do you want your child to grow up in an urban, suburban or rural location? Answering this question will help you narrow down your options. You can often find the answer in adoption profiles for families.
- Do I picture my child growing up with siblings or as an only child? In some instances, you may be placing multiple children for adoption at once. There are adoptive parents out there who would love to adopt your sibling group so that they can grow up together.
- What lifestyle does the adoptive family have? As you look at adoption profiles online, consider the type of lifestyle that the adoptive family lives. Do they enjoy traveling? What are their hobbies? Do they follow any family traditions? Consider these questions as you picture your child growing up with them.
- How will my child celebrate their cultural heritage? In transracial adoption, you may want your child to celebrate their cultural heritage. You could want them to feel proud of their racial and ethnic background, so be sure to consider this as you look at each adoption profile. Is the family committed to becoming educated about your child’s heritage? For many prospective birth mothers, this is an important component.
- How can I pass on my values to my child? Consider the values that are important to you, and think about the values that you’d like to pass on to your child. You may want the adoptive family to share those same values and teach them to your child.
These are just a handful of questions to help you get started finding the perfect adoptive family. Keep in mind that you are in 100% control of your adoption plan from start to finish, and your adoption professional will guide you through each step. Finding the right adoptive parents can bring you great relief and reassurance.
Get to Know Your Child’s Adoptive Parents
Now that you’ve selected the perfect adoptive family for your child, you can start getting to know them better. If you’re feeling nervous about this, then that is completely normal. Your adoption professional can help you with this step by breaking the ice. They’ll mediate your first conversation with them to help dispel any tension or nerves.
Remember that, as a prospective birth mother, you get to call all the shots. This includes choosing a form of contact to stay in touch with your child’s adoptive parents. This is known as pre-placement contact. For example, here are some of the ways that you can maintain contact with them:
- Phone calls
- Texts
- Emails
- Zoom or Skype
- Handwritten letters
- In-person visits
- Or whatever you feel comfortable with
Although it can be difficult to know what you want in adoptive families right away, meeting them and talking to them can be an immense help. Once you meet them, whether that is over the phone, video chat or in person, you will be able to feel their excitement and love for your child. You can always stay in touch through whatever means you prefer.
Through open adoption, placement is never “goodbye.” Instead, it is “see you later.” It is a beautiful way to remain forever connected with your child and their adoptive parents through a lifelong bond.
If you have more questions, then please contact us online. We will get you connected with an adoption agency that can provide information, guidance and support.