Giving Your Child Up for Adoption in Buddhism
If you’re a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy, it’s reasonable to assume there’s a lot running through your mind. You’re facing one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make, and your choice will impact both you and your child forever. For a lot of women, religion plays a part in the decision-making process as well. If you’re a Buddhist, you may currently be wondering: Can I give my baby up for adoption in Buddhism?
While no one can tell you what to do with your unplanned pregnancy, American Adoptions can absolutely help a Buddhist give a baby up for adoption. Our first recommendation to you if you are struggling with pursuing adoption as a Buddhist is to talk to someone you respect in your religious community. They’ll be able to give you valuable insight into adoption as it aligns with your faith. Our second recommendation is to learn as much as you can about the adoption process to decide for yourself if it aligns with your Buddhist principles. We want every woman to feel comfortable in her decision, no matter what faith she practices.
Every adoption is unique. If you have any questions about the adoption process as a Buddhist, please give us a call at 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with a helpful adoption specialist. We would be more than happy to listen.
How can a Buddhist pursue adoption for her baby?
When a woman decides to place her child for adoption with American Adoptions, we tailor the process to fit her needs. You are always in charge of your child’s adoption, so keep in mind that the following is a general outline of the process. It can always be tailored to meet your religious requirements. However, the following steps are fairly common for most women pursuing adoption:
Step 1: Choose adoption for your baby.
It may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to believe that adoption is the best choice for your child before you begin to craft a plan. Whether you aren’t sure that you can give your baby the life you want for them or you know that becoming a parent could take away from other important aspects of your life, it’s important to feel confident in your adoption decision. At this phase, we encourage you to talk to respected members of your religious community. You are also always welcome to call 1-800-ADOPTION to talk things out (at no cost) with a licensed social worker.
Step 2: Work with your adoption specialist to create an adoption plan.
At American Adoptions, you’re in the driver’s seat of the adoption process. Your adoption specialist will help you to come up with an adoption plan that meets all of your needs and preferences as a Buddhist woman. If there’s any part of the adoption plan that you don’t feel comfortable with, or that you don’t believe aligns with your faith, don’t be afraid to let your adoption specialist know.
Step 3: Find a Buddhist adoptive family for your baby.
You absolutely get to choose your child’s adoptive parents, and one of the factors that you can decide on is religion. If you want to place your child with a family that shares your faith, your adoption specialist will help to connect you with Buddhist families pursuing adoption, and you’ll be able to learn more about each of them before deciding to contact the one you feel is right.
Helpful Information
Step 4: Get to know your child’s prospective adoptive family.
We always recommend at least some degree of openness, or communication, in an adoptive relationship. This benefits everyone in the adoptive relationship, particularly the child, and contact can occur via in-person visits, phone calls or emails — whatever you’re comfortable with.
Step 5: Develop your birthing plan.
This will be a little more involved than it is for most pregnant women, because you’ve got to factor in some additional details. Your adoption specialist will help you to determine the answers to questions like: Do you want the adoptive family in the room? Do you want time alone with your baby? Do you want to nurse your baby? Thinking of all of these things ahead of time will help to ensure that your day goes exactly as you want it to.
Step 6: Continue to share a relationship with your child’s adoptive family.
While your comfort levels may vary, it’s important that you continue to work on the relationship you’ve begun to build with your child’s adoptive family. Many women feel the need for a little more space to grieve in the beginning, and then grow more comfortable with regular contact. Remember that whatever your needs are, your adoption specialist will help you to make sure they’re met.
To learn more about pursuing adoption as a Buddhist, please contact American Adoptions at 1-800-ADOPTION.
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