Planning for the future is never easy. While making an adoption plan for your child, it’s hard to envision the future. Do you need more privacy? Are you hoping to visit them regularly? Are you not sure what you’re comfortable with?
Not knowing what you need is completely understandable. It’s hard to look one, three, five, or ten years ahead.
Adoption plans can be modified based on the relationship between the biological and adoptive families, but adoption requires trust and transparency. As that grows between families, you can reevaluate your plan as your child gets older.
Let’s review the adoption plans and how you might modify them in the future. If you have questions about adoption, please do not hesitate to contact A Gift of Hope Adoptions at (888) 564-HOPE (4673).
What Are the Three Adoption Plans?
The three plans are Open, Semi-Open, and Closed. The plan you choose determines the amount of contact you have with your child and their adoptive family. Choose the plan you are most comfortable with at the time, and select a family that wants the same level of contact.
Open Adoption
An open adoption plan allows for the most contact between the birth family and the adoptive family. Together, you decide the type of communication you want.
You can exchange all identifying information, such as full names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Or you can select specific ways to contact one another, such as phone numbers or email addresses.
Either way, you have direct contact with one another from the beginning.
Semi-Open Adoption
A semi-open adoption is also known as a mediated adoption. It offers more privacy while still allowing contact between the birth mother and the adoptive family.
The only identifying information that’s usually shared is first names. You communicate with one another, but all contact goes through A Gift Of Hope Adoptions first.
For instance, the adoptive family sends us a letter and photos. We forward that on to the birth mother to maintain privacy. With a semi-open plan, we can even arrange phone calls and set up in-person meetings while protecting your privacy.
Closed Adoption
A closed adoption provides complete anonymity. You have no future contact with the adoptive family or your child. A very small number of adoptions today are completely closed.
A birth mother may feel this plan provides the emotional closure that she needs to move forward. Or, she desires complete privacy due to difficult relationships.
How Can I Change My Plan?
Many birth mothers and adoptive couples begin their relationship with a semi-open adoption. They have contact with one another, but until they truly get to know one another, their identifying information remains private.
As that trust builds, they can choose to share identifying information and contact one another directly. Select a family that is willing to consider an open plan once trust is built.
If you choose a closed adoption but wish to have contact in the future, our team can contact the adoptive family and make your request. No matter what plan you choose, communication with your child and their adoptive family is determined by what’s best for the child.
Want More Information?
Please contact us if you would like more information about placing your child for adoption. Talking with us costs you nothing. We can review your situation and help determine if adoption is the right decision for you.
Fill out our confidential online Contact Form or call us. Let us help you plan for your future.
This blog is for informational purposes only. This is not legal or medical advice. While we try our best to reflect current laws with accuracy at the time of writing, please note that the laws can change over time.