What is open adoption in Michigan?

Open adoption in Michigan is a post-placement agreement that allows for the birth mother to continue her relationship with her child throughout their childhood.

Open adoption is not just one thing, though. It can look different depending on a birth mother’s needs and preferences.

There are varying levels of openness in adoption agreements, so you can choose open adoption, semi-open adoption, or closed adoption. In Michigan, all these options are available to you.

You get to choose, and you get to develop your adoption plan according to your needs. If you are ready to explore what adoption could look like for you, contact a professional today.

How Does an Open Adoption Work in Michigan?

Simply put, open adoption in Michigan is when a birth mother voluntarily places her baby for adoption and enters an agreement with adoptive parents that allows for continued relationship. The frequency of contact varies, as does the mode of communication. Some birth mothers prefer to simply receive letters and pictures through the years. Others exchange texts, emails, or phone calls with the adoptive parents, and others have in-person visits. This all depends on your needs and preferences.

This kind of continued relationship is often desired by the birth mother, increasingly requested by adoptive parents, and widely encouraged by adoption professionals. Open adoptions can support your child’s positive identity as an adoptee and can ensure that they have access to necessary information about their history.

Your choice regarding the relationship you want with your child’s adoptive parents will be outlined in your adoption plan. The kind of contact you request can include:

• Pictures and letters mediated by your adoption specialist
• Emails and text messages
• Phone calls and video calls
• In-person visits.

You should have no problem finding open adoption agencies in Michigan, as most modern adoptions are arranged with some level of openness. The kind of post-adoption contact you would like to have with your child will be encouraged and facilitated when you are working with the right agency.

Here are some Michigan agencies that can help you:

• American Adoptions
• Hands Across the Water
• Heaven Sent Adoption Services

It may be a surprise to you to hear that, in some cases, birth mothers and adoptive parents consider each other friends — and more than that — sometimes describe one another as family.

Helina, a birth mother, said of her open adoption:

“A year after PJ was born, I was able to travel to Philadelphia and visit with them. We went to the zoo, children’s museum, and went out a few times. They welcomed me with open arms. The following year, I was able to see them three or four times. Each year, to this day, I am able to travel to Philadelphia to see them. We are a close family now.”

How Will I Find an Adoptive Family Who Wants an Open Adoption in Michigan?

Nine out of 10 hopeful adoptive couples desire some openness in their adoption agreement because they understand the benefits of open adoption for the child. If you too want an open adoption, your adoption specialist will create a list of potential adoptive families that desire the same.

Once you choose the perfect family for your child, the next step will be to develop a postadoption contact agreement (PACA) that will describe the unique details of your adoption arrangement. Open adoption agreements can range from an informal understanding to a written, formal contract. Either way, the right agency will encourage birth mothers and adoptive families to stay true to one’s word when consenting to the agreement.

Open Adoption vs. Closed Adoption in Michigan [Which is Best for You?]

If you are undecided about what kind of adoption agreement you would like to enter, you might be curious about the pros and cons of open adoption. You are not alone. It is good to be thorough and make sure that what you are choosing is the right thing for you and your baby. While most birth mothers want to maintain some level of communication with their child, other women require the privacy and the anonymity that a closed adoption can provide.

Benefits of open adoption include:

• You will have the opportunity to watch your child grow. You may not need relationships like Helina has with her son and his adoptive parents, but you may want the courtesy of knowing how your child is doing. Maybe all you need are annual letters with pictures, updating you on your child’s well-being. These two options are great examples of how open adoptions can look very different. 
• You will be able to answer any lingering questions your child has. Some prospective birth mothers worry that their child will not understand why they chose adoption. Open adoption provides an opportunity to tell your story and answer any questions your child has.
• You can inform your child of any health concerns. Keeping a relationship with your child’s adoptive parents allows you to update your family health history, which could be an important part of keeping your child healthy and aware of any possible predispositions.
• You can create lifelong connections. The bond that Helina formed with the adoptive parents of her child allows her to spend holidays with them, contact them often and have the reassurance that her son is taken care of. This is a great example of the potential of an open adoption relationship.

A closed adoption is a post-adoption agreement that provides privacy and anonymity. Little to no information is shared between birth parents and adoptive parents, and there is no ongoing contact with one another.

Reasons you may consider a closed adoption include:

• You require emotional closure after placement.
• You have concerns for your safety that supersede the benefits of open adoption.
• You need to prioritize your privacy.

It is your choice what you include in an adoption agreement, and if you have questions, there is help along the way. Adoption professionals will guide you and mediate communication as needed.

If you are ready to speak with a Michigan adoption specialist about the type of adoption you would like to pursue, contact an agency today.