| Once the adoption process starts, there are two | | | | The key to a good open adoption is having great |
| ways it could go down. It will be either a closed | | | | communication. Ask as many questions as possible |
| adoption or an open adoption. Closed adoptions are | | | | and don't be afraid to answer any questions. Being |
| the way adoptions were traditionally done. There is | | | | honest will go a long way in open adoptions. Another |
| no contact between the prospective parents and the | | | | thing to consider in open adoptions is the future of |
| birth mother. All information, the limited information, is | | | | your child. When the child learns that they were |
| given through the adoption agency. In an open | | | | adopted, they might want to meet the birth mother. |
| adoption, both parties have an open line of | | | | In this case, it will be easier to find the birth mother. |
| communication. The birth mother actually picks the | | | | Some prospective parents might feel uncomfortable |
| family she wants her child to go to and then spends | | | | in this situation. The parents are desperate for a child; |
| time learning about the family. | | | | they don't want to do anything to scare away the |
| There are advantages and disadvantages to both | | | | birth mother. They fear saying or doing the wrong |
| scenarios. The prospective parents have to know | | | | thing. They worry the birth mother will not like them. |
| how they are going to be most comfortable. Parents | | | | If this type of situation is too much too handle, |
| might get the jitters of knowing the birth mother and | | | | closed adoptions might be a better fit for |
| have an issue with knowing who she is. Others want | | | | prospective parents. |
| to know exactly where their child is coming from. | | | | Closed adoptions offer limited information about the |
| The term open adoption might seem misleading. Just | | | | parties. Historically, such limited information led to |
| because it is open doesn't mean anyone is privy to | | | | problems between the clients, but that is not the |
| the information regarding the adoption. Only the birth | | | | case anymore. Adoption agencies handle the |
| mother and the prospective parents are allowed to | | | | situations with utmost care. The agencies are there |
| know details. An adoption agent will pair a mother | | | | to make both parties are happy with the least |
| and a potential family and exchange information | | | | amount of complications. In this situation, it is usually |
| about the parties. If it progresses further, the two | | | | left up to the adoptive parents to let the child know |
| clients will meet and possibly exchange contact | | | | he or she was adopted. It is also usually harder for |
| information. This way the two families can stay in | | | | an adopted child to find his birth mother, which could |
| touch with each other. Prospective parents need to | | | | lead to problems down the line. |
| be cautious in dealing with this type of adoption. | | | | There are many things to consider when deciding on |
| While there have been loads of successful cases, | | | | either an open or closed adoption. Go through the list |
| there have been horror stories associated with open | | | | of options and decide what situation you are going to |
| adoptions. The birth mother uses this as a way to | | | | be most comfortable with to make the adoption |
| get extra money from the parents. More money | | | | process as painless as possible. |
| than was initially agreed upon. Be cautious and vigil. | | | | |