Adoption Profile, Adoption Letter, Dear Birthmother Letter, Adoption Brochure . . . these are all terms currently in use within the adoption community for the “letter” or “booklet” that prospective adoptive parent(s) (AP) are required to create. The adoption professional (attorney, agency, facilitator) uses this to present the AP to a potential birthmother, i.e. a pregnant woman who is considering placing her baby for adoption. Although most adoption professionals have or use a website with parent profiles on them, the basis for those online profiles... Read more…

Every May, the store shelves are filled with greeting cards, potted flowers, and heart-shaped jewelry. The holiday that so many relish in is also the holiday that many women dread:  Mother’s Day.  Mother’s Day is simply one of the hardest times of year for those who are considering or waiting to adopt. Truly, being reminded that you have a mother’s heart, yet you aren’t yet a mother, can be excruciating. You feel as if you are surrounded by those basking in the glory of motherhood while you are an outsider. You yearn to be part of the... Read more…

When I was a child, I dreamed of becoming a mother someday. My sister and I would often play with our baby dolls—feeding them, dressing them, and rocking them to sleep. I wondered what my future child would be like. Would she resemble me? Would she enjoy the same activities? Never in my thoughts did I consider my dreams would be shattered or I would suffer heartbreaking pain and loss. Becoming a parent is supposed to be easy, right? Unfortunately, for many,... Read more…

No one can deny that love is one of the most important ingredients for a successful adoption. However, that alone doesn’t guarantee the process will go smoothly. Feelings aside, what exactly does it take to ensure your adoption goes well? Follow this recipe to increase your chances of having a good experience. One Ethical Professional. Be sure to research and find an agency and/or attorney that is trustworthy and knowledgeable about... Read more…

The adoption triad (birth parents, the adoptee, and the adoptive parents) really cannot exist without the other. Once an adoption placement takes place, the three parties are intricately woven for life, regardless of the level of contact. Each piece of the triangle depends upon the other, because without one piece, it will quite possibly crumble.  This is why it’s crucial that those who wish to adopt commit to learning as much as they can about the other triad members: adoptees and birth parents. Now certainly, there is no single experience and... Read more…

Your phone rings. It’s the call you’ve been waiting for: An expectant mother considering adoption would like to meet with you. Your heart races with both excitement and fear. Could this be it? Will this meeting lead to a match? And even more important, what will you say to her? A meeting with a potential birth mom can be very nerve-wracking. Much like a job interview, you’ll want to make a good impression, but it’s also important to be honest and be yourself.... Read more…

I knew a couple once who packed extensively as they waited eagerly for the call. They filled three large suitcases with baby clothes, diapers, and enough clothes for themselves to last a good six months. Then they placed their stuffed suitcases by their front door “because we might not have time to run up to the bedroom to get them”. The suitcases remained there for several weeks, but eventually the call did come and the eager parents were on their way. They flew to an airport in a distant state, rented a Toyota Camry only to discover that their bags would... Read more…

When we adopted our first child, it was a whirlwind experience. We had been waiting fourteen months when we got a phone call saying we had been chosen to adopt a baby girl who was already born. We quickly called an adoption attorney, packed up our car, and drove four hours to our daughter’s birth city.  The minute she was placed in my arms, gazing at me with her inquisitive brown eyes, I felt a swirl of emotions: I was sad for her birth parents, joyful that I was finally a mother, and overwhelmed by the fact that I was responsible for a human life. In... Read more…

My husband and I recently renewed our home study for yet another year. We are not signed on with an agency because we just do not have the funds. In three years we have had only one match . . . yet, we are not ready to give up searching for our child we long to bring home. I will admit, however, that lately I have been looking up toward heaven and begging for a big sign or some crystal clear guidance. This journey is not easy and often overwhelming. It seems like Read more…

Paperwork. Home studies. Meetings with expectant parents. Adoption can certainly be a daunting task. So who do you turn to for help navigating the process? Should you work with an adoption agency or opt for an independent adoption through an attorney? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of working with an adoption agency. A licensed agency is essentially a one-stop resource for all things adoption. Agency workers can help you manage the complex adoption process from the very first meeting all the way through to your post-placement visits and... Read more…