As a caring mother, you want the best for all your children. So it’s tough when you find out you’re unexpectedly pregnant again while struggling to care for the children you already have.

More than anyone else, you understand the cost and time necessary to raise your kids. There is only so much of you to go around. What are your options?

Consider placing this child for adoption. At A Gift of Hope Adoptions, we understand the enormous emotional strength this choice takes. Let’s discuss your situation and see if making an adoption plan is right for you and your family.

Making an Adoption Plan

As the expectant mother, you put a plan in place for your child’s future. Here are some of the benefits of choosing adoption:

• It costs you nothing to use our adoption services.
• You can select the adoptive couple who will raise your child.
• You choose the amount of contact you and your family want with your child and their adoptive family.
• You and your family receive adoption counseling and emotional support
• All of your medical and legal expenses are covered.
• Depending on your needs, it may be possible to have other pregnancy-related expenses covered.

Telling Your Other Children

Honesty is always the best policy when it comes to something as serious as placing a sibling or half-sibling for adoption. If you are exploring the idea of adoption, wait to talk to your other children. When you start the conversation, you want to be confident it’s the right decision.

As you prepare to tell them, consider the following:

• Think about the ages of your children.
  If they are very young, choose age-appropriate books from the library to present the idea of adoption. Movies like Elf or Annie can also help start a conversation about adoption. You can even role-play with their dolls or stuffed animals.

• Use appropriate adoption language.
  Although this child was unexpected, you never want to use the term “unwanted.” Many people refer to adoption as “giving up a baby.” Use terms like “making an adoption plan” or “placing them for adoption” instead.

• Provide honest answers.
  Although it may be hard to discuss, you need to be honest. Help your children understand that you want the best for all of them, which means having another family raise their sibling or half-sibling. Children don’t understand the cost of living but appreciate a loving mother who cares for them.

• Reassure your children often.
  Understanding adoption takes time. Assure your children they are loved and will stay with you. Let them know they will always have a sibling, but other parents will raise them.

• Engage them in the process.
  When it’s time to give birth, let your children purchase a special toy or create cards to send with their baby brother or sister. If your children are older, let them help choose the potential adoptive family. If you select an open or semi-open adoption, include your kids in meetings with the adoptive family.

• Continue the conversation.
  Adoption is not a one-day event. It’s for a lifetime. Continue talking with your children. Share photos and letters you receive from the adoptive family. Don’t be afraid to show emotion. Your kids need to see this was a difficult decision for you, too.

How A Gift of Hope Adoptions Can Assist You

You and your family can find support with A Gift of Hope Adoptions. If you would like to learn more about the possibility of placing your child for adoption, contact us. We will be happy to talk with you.

An unexpected pregnancy is a difficult season, but you don’t have to face it alone. We’re here to offer assistance and guidance. If adoption isn’t the right choice, we may be able to help with referrals for other services or resources.

Call us at 1-888-564-HOPE (4673) or complete our confidential online Contact Form.

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 the laws can change over time.