Finding the perfect adoptive family is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a prospective birth mother. This process will take a considerable amount of time and planning, but with the help of your adoption specialist, you can find an incredible family for your baby.
Here’s what you need to know.
Finding an Adoptive Family in Georgia: Here’s What You Need to Know
Getting started with adoption can be a very exciting yet overwhelming time in any prospective birth mom’s life. You probably aren’t entirely sure where to start looking for the best family, but there are several important steps you can take to connect with the right family for your child.
Remember that when you’re ready to find an adoptive family in Georgia, you’re making an incredible decision for your baby. You have an important responsibility since you get to choose the parents who will love and protect your child as they grow up.
Fortunately, you have a lot of options when it comes time to find an adoptive family in Georgia.
Step 1: Talk With an Adoption Agency
The right adoption agency will make an incredible difference in your adoption experience. It’s very important that you talk with an agency that understands exactly what you’re going through when you’re ready to find an adoptive family in Georgia.
When you realize that you’re pregnant and you’d like to choose adoption, consider calling local adoption agencies and asking them questions like:
- How do you support birth moms throughout their pregnancies?
- How do you help birth moms match with hopeful adoptive families?
- Do you provide financial or emotional support for birth moms?
- Do you support open adoption?
- How do you help adoptive families and birth moms communicate?
- Can you help me create an adoption plan?
- What other services and resources do you provide?
If you aren’t sure which adoption agency is right for you, that’s okay! There are plenty to choose from. While any adoption agency you talk to will help you with the adoption and matching process, they’re each a little different. Some adoption agencies are more hands-on than others. Some also offer additional benefits, such as counseling services.
Here are just a few adoption agencies that you can reach out to when you’re ready to find an adoptive family in Georgia for your baby:
- American Adoptions
- An Open Door Adoption Agency
- Covenant Care Adoption Services
- Georgia AGAPE
- Gladney Center for Adoption
- Bethany Christian Services
Step 2: Think About What You Want
Before you can choose the perfect family for your baby, it’s important to consider what you’re looking for in a potential family.
This is your chance to dream big and choose the perfect family for your baby.
Do you want a family who:
- Does not have children
- Already has children
- Lives in the city
- Lives in the suburbs
- Lives in the countryside
- Plans to send your baby to private school
- Plans to homeschool
- Practices a certain religion
There is no “right” or “wrong” way to choose a family, so make sure that you take your time choosing a family that best matches what you’re looking for.
Step 3: Matching and Meeting
When you believe you’ve found someone who will be a good fit for your baby, let your adoption agency know. They will be by your side throughout the adoption process, including when you’re trying to find an adoptive family in Georgia.
When you’re sure that you’ve found the right family, you’ll be able to speak with them. Your social worker can arrange a phone call or video chat so you can meet them virtually, or, if you prefer, you can meet the family in person.
This is your chance to ask any questions you want before your baby is born. It also enables you to talk with the family about what your hopes are for communication after placement happens. For example, maybe you want to talk once a month with the family, or perhaps your goal is to talk a few times each year. Let the adoptive parents know so they can help meet those needs.
Step 4: Placement and Finalization
After your baby is born, you’ll be able to go through the placement and finalization process. This is the part of the adoption experience where you will place your baby in the adoptive parents’ arms. If this is too emotional or difficult, you can always ask your social worker or even your doctor to help you. You’ll also need to complete legal paperwork to terminate your parental rights so the adoptive family can become the legal parents of your baby.
Getting Started
When you’re ready to start the adoption process, reach out to an adoption agency that can help you find an adoptive family in Georgia for your baby. You aren’t alone and connecting with an adoption agency, such as American Adoptions, is one of the best first steps you can take.