When you’re ready to consider adoption for your baby, you have a lot of choices to make. One of the first and most important is the style of adoption you’ll choose.
You have three primary options when it comes to adoption styles: open, semi-closed and closed. While open adoption in Georgia is the most common type of adoption practiced today, in this article, we’ll talk about each style of adoption so you can make the decision that’s best for you.
It’s important to remember that as the birth mom, the type of adoption you pursue is completely up to you. While adoptive families may have an adoption preference, you’re the birth mom, so you can choose the style you feel best about.
Types of Adoption
When it comes to the types of adoption available, there are three primary choices:
Open
Open adoption in Georgia means that you will pursue a relationship with your child’s birth family after placement and finalization. With this type of adoption, you will keep in touch with the adoptive family on a regular basis. One of the benefits of choosing open adoption is that you’ll never have to wonder whether your child is doing okay or if they’re happy.
You’ll be able to know.
This type of adoption offers many options for communication, including:
- Sending emails
- Writing letters
- Texting
- Making video calls
- Chatting on the phone
- Visiting in person
- And more
With this type of adoption, you can choose a communication style that really works best for you. It’s important to remember that as the birth mom, you get to decide how much communication is best for you. Just make sure that you let your social worker and the adoptive family know what you’re most comfortable with.
Semi-Open
This type of adoption is very different from open adoption in Georgia.
While open adoption in Georgia means that you can communicate regularly with your baby and their new family, that’s not the case with semi-open adoption in Georgia.
This type of adoption means that you will not exchange a lot of personal details with the adoptive family, and while you can communicate, it will only be through a third-party mediator, such as an adoption lawyer.
Closed
Historically, this type of adoption was very common; however, that’s no longer the case.
Almost all modern adoption experiences are open adoption in Georgia. When you’re considering closed vs open adoption in Georgia, it’s important to make sure that you understand the major differences.
With closed adoption, you won’t be able to talk with your child as they grow up.
In fact, you won’t exchange any personal or identifying information with the adoptive family. In some cases, you might not even meet them.
This type of adoption is rare but may be an option if you want to move on from your adoption entirely or you don’t want anyone to know that you chose adoption.
Choosing My Adoption Style
As you’re considering closed vs open adoption in Georgia, make sure you take the time to ask yourself some important questions, such as:
- Do I want to communicate with my child as they grow up?
- Do I want my child to be able to ask me questions?
- Am I comfortable with the idea of building a relationship with my child’s adoptive family?
- How much communication do I want?
- What style of communication (texting, phone calls, etc.) am I most comfortable with?
You can also talk with your adoption agency about your options for adoption. Your adoption specialist can talk with you about the pros and cons of each adoption style and help you choose something that works best for you.
Finding Support
When you’re ready to talk with an adoption agency, you have a lot of choices. Here are just a few of the adoption agencies you can connect with you to help you decide whether open adoption in Georgia is right for you:
- American Adoptions
- An Open Door Adoption Agency
- Covenant Care Adoption Services
- Georgia AGAPE
- Gladney Center for Adoption
- Bethany Christian Services
When you reach out to an adoption agency, whether you are hoping for closed or open adoption in Georgia, make sure you take the time to choose a professional you feel comfortable with.
Adoption can be a stressful time for any potential birth mom, so it’s vital that you find a professional who will help support and guide you.
Also, remember that you can make your adoption decision at any time. It is never too early or late to choose adoption. Whether you just found out that you’re pregnant or you’re about to give birth and you think adoption will be best for your child, open adoption in Georgia could offer you a chance to get to know your baby while they grow up in a safe and loving home with a family who adores them.
Reach out now to find an agency that can support and encourage you during this time.
