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How Do I Put My Child up for Adoption?

What to Know about Putting Your Child up for Adoption

Putting your child up for adoption is difficult. But, the best things in life are never easy.

Even though it’s a hard choice to make, it’s a way to give your child a life filled with endless love and opportunity. You can regain control of your situation while knowing that your child will grow up with a loving family of your choosing.

If you’re ready to start your adoption journey today, then contact us online to get free adoption information now. We are here for you whenever you need us.

How Do I Put My Child Up for Adoption?

To put your child up for adoption, you will need to contact an adoption agency, such as American Adoptions. From there, you’ll be connected with a birth parent specialist who will help you make an adoption plan, receive financial assistance and find the right adoptive family.

Is Putting a Child Up for Adoption Hard?

Depending on your child’s age, it could be logistically difficult to put your child up for adoption. Also, as your child gets older, you’ll become more attached, making the transition to another family a challenging adjustment for both of you. On top of this, most adoption agencies will only place children who are 4 or younger.

As a prospective birth mother, the adoption process consists of five general steps:

  • Step 1: Contact us to start building your adoption plan.
  • Step 2: Choose an adoptive family that’s perfect for your child.
  • Step 3: Receive adoption financial assistance.
  • Step 4: Choose the type of adoption relationship you want with the family and your child.
  • Step 5: Complete the placement.

When you work with our agency, you’re in control of every part of the process. This means you can dream big for yourself and your baby.

Does Putting My Child Up for Adoption Cost Money?

You will never have to pay to place your child for adoption. All services and support you receive from us are 100% free for you. Also, there is financial support available to ensure you have the necessary resources throughout your adoption journey.

As the prospective birth mother, you’ll be eligible for help with costs like:

  • Living expenses
  • Medical bills
  • Utility bills
  • Maternity clothing
  • Transportation to medical visits

The amount of assistance you’re eligible for will vary depending on your needs and where you live, as this support is court-mandated. Here at American Adoptions, we’ll ensure you receive the maximum amount of financial assistance possible.

Can I Give My Child up for Adoption without the Father’s Consent?

If the child’s father doesn’t agree with your adoption plan, then he must show his desire to become a supportive father to maintain his parental rights. Be sure to speak with your birth parent specialist about birth father laws and regulations in your state.

Do People Regret Giving Their Child Up for Adoption?

When you place your child for adoption, you’ll likely experience a wide range of complex emotions. That includes feelings like doubt, grief and regret. But, many birth parents find that these feelings are temporary. It’s normal to feel like you regret your decision at first, but, later on, you may realize that adoption is one of the best choices you’ve ever made.

Adoption helps create a better future both for yourself and for your child. If you think you’ll regret giving your baby up for adoption, then here are some things you can do before moving forward:

Sara, a birth mother who worked with our agency, knows that adoption was the best thing she could have done for her child.

“It’s very rough in the beginning, but it does get better,” Sara said. “It takes you a while to realize that what you did was the best thing, and, regardless of the situation that put you there, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Your ultimate decision was to place him in a family that would love him unconditionally.”

If you’re looking to put your child up for adoption, then you can contact us online to learn more and get free adoption information now. We’d love nothing more than to help you begin this beautiful journey whenever you’re ready.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is American Adoptions the right adoption agency choice for many birth mothers?

American Adoptions is one of the largest licensed adoption agencies in the United States. Each year, we work with thousands of women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and offer assistance to these women. Our large, caring staff is able to assist you seven days a week and provide you with one-on-one counseling about your pregnancy and available options.

You should choose an adoption agency where you feel completely comfortable with their services and staff. With American Adoptions, you will work with an Adoption Specialist who is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Adoption Specialist will be your advocate and will provide support and guidance as you create an adoption plan that is right for you.

How will the family tell my child about me and the adoption when my child is older?

Each family has their own style of introducing adoption to the child. When you are matched with an adoptive family, you can ask them this question. If you would like your Adoption Specialist to discuss it for you, just let her know. He or she can share your wishes or provide good ideas from other adoptive families.

You will also be able to share what you want your baby to know about you. You can complete a keepsake booklet to share hobbies, stories, photos of you and your family and a letter to your baby. The adoptive family can provide this to your child as he or she grows older. Be as creative as you like! Some birth mothers have even knitted a special blanket as a gift to their baby or given a similar symbol of their love.

The father of your baby can fill out the birth father's keepsake booklet or write a letter too. You may have other family members who would also like to share photos or a letter to the baby. This is your opportunity to pass on your and your family's love and to share your personality, history and reasons for choosing adoption. The adoptive family will treasure whatever information you provide and will share it with the baby at an appropriate age. In most adoptive homes, the word adoption is in the child's vocabulary early on, and adoption is celebrated in their lives.

Additional Resources

Teen Pregnancy - Information for Young Women

While not every woman who chooses adoption is a young mother, many are. Through adoption, many young women have found an ability to give their babies the best life possible, while finding the opportunity to realize their own dreams, as well. Call American Adoptions today at 1-800-ADOPTION.

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Adoption Glossary

Do adoption terms and phrases leave you feeling confused? Learn the meaning to key adoption words and phrases with our comprehensive adoption glossary.

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