Adoption is a team sport. The process can be a long and challenging. There are emotional aspects of adoption that many people haven’t considered, and there are practical obstacles that can be difficult to overcome on your own. For prospective birth mothers and hopeful adoptive parents, finding helpful adoption support can be the difference between a good or bad experience with adoption.
There are all kinds of adoption support groups, organizations and resources out there, but finding the right ones can be a challenge. Each person’s journey with adoption is unique. There are adoption support groups that may be great for one person, but wrong for another. Just because an adoption support resource is wrong for you doesn’t make it bad, but it’s important to be aware of the fact that your unique journey also requires a unique form of adoption support.
The right adoption support for you is out there — it’s just a matter of identifying it.
How to Find Adoption Support
The key to finding adoption support is being honest with yourself about what you need. Different types of support meet different needs. Knowing what your needs are will guide you to the right groups and resources.
It’s also good to seek out people who are in similar situations. Solidarity goes a long way. Whether you are an adoptive family or prospective birth mother, it can helpful to have someone who truly understands what you’re experiencing. Relationship based around a common adoption experience is often the most beneficial form of adoption support. If you’re struggling to find this type of relationship, American Adoptions often helps connect individuals who are nearby.
When evaluating any type of adoption support group or network, make sure you feel comfortable. Trust your gut on these. If something feels off, that probably means it isn’t the right type of support for you. This may be based on information you read that feels wrong, or a response to a question that seems suspicious.
Not all adoption support groups are created equal, which is why it’s best to always trust professional advice. You should never make a decision that could affect your adoption process based on something you heard or read in an adoption support group without first verifying with your adoption specialist or adoption attorney. While adoption support groups, either in-person or online, can be amazing resources, sometimes information from these groups can’t be taken at face value.
An adoption specialist is only a call away at 1-800-ADOPTION. Our specialists will be happy to answer any questions about adoption support groups, or information you may have seen in a group.
Adoption Support for Adoptive Families
Whatever type of adoption support you need, it is out there. There are online groups and resources, as well as local groups to get plugged into. Your options depend on where you are and what type of support you’re looking for.
As adoptive parents or hopeful adoptive parents, a few good places to start could be:
- The North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACA): The NACA maintains a database of nearly 900 adoption support groups. These groups range from pre-adoption to post-adoption, transracial adoption to special needs. You can search for your situation and find a group that could be helpful for you.
- The National Infertility Association: While infertility is not a struggle for all adoptive families, it is something that many couples experience. Moving from infertility to adoption is not always easy, but there are resources to help you move through the grief and into the adoption process.
- Adoptive Families Magazine: This magazine produces a lot of great articles. You can find first-person stories of adoption, as well as guides to different parts of the adoption process.
- American Adoptions: Speaking to an adoption specialist is a good way to ask the tough questions and get reliable answers. You can call 1-800-ADOPTION at any time to speak with one of our specialists.
Adoption Support for Birth Mothers
Choosing adoption for your baby as a prospective birth mother is a difficult, brave decision. Thankfully, it is not something you have to go through alone. You can find support in your community, online, with your adoption agency and through other organizations. Whenever possible, it’s good to take advantage of any support available. Even when adoption is the best choice, it can still be hard. Leaning on support takes some of the weight off your shoulders, which is something any prospective birth mother needs.
A few good places to begin looking for support are:
- American Adoption Congress: You can look for a support group in your state to meet with people who have similar experiences to yours. Hearing how adoption affects others may help you better understand the impact it has on your life.
- Lifetime Healing: Along with online resources, this organization provides a list of support groups for post-placement The healing process post-placement is an important aspect of your adoption process as a birth mother.
American Adoptions: As a national adoption agency, we have worked with prospective birth mothers from all across the country. Our team of adoption specialists would be happy to help you in the adoption process. You can call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with a specialist at any time.
Thanks for the tip that it’s important to trust one’s gut when it comes to finding the right adoption support services. I have a friend who is interested in looking for adoption support because she recently found out that her reproductive system has some problems that can lead to major complications if she ever get pregnant. After a long discussion about it, it seems that her husband shares her desire to adopt a child.