5 Things to Consider when Creating Your Florida Adoption Plan

By Cynthia Knott

As a birth mother, with a variety of adoption options, creating an adoption plan will ensure that you have full control over your adoption process. There are many things to consider when creating your adoption plan. You will have to think about closure, support, birth plan, relationships, and much more. Your adoption plan will guarantee that you feel comfortable and knowledgeable of all the steps to come.

Adoption Choices of Florida will help you create a plan that is unique to your needs. There are many aspects of the plan that might get confusing at times, but you won’t be alone. What’s more, you get to decide what your adoption journey will look like. Your adoption plan makes it possible for us to advocate for everything you want.

1. The Amount of Closure You Want in Your Adoption Plan

Closure comes in many shapes and forms. The level of closure you decide on will help you later in the adoption process when choosing the type of adoption and adoptive parents you want. There are many reasons to want closure, so you don’t need to feel like you’re doing something wrong if you want it. Your adoption plan is all about what you feel is best for you and your child..

There are three types of adoption that will provide different levels of closure — open, semi-open and closed adoption. If you would prefer to have complete closure, a closed adoption may be the best option for you. However, before you make a final decision, be sure to consult with your adoption caseworker and learn all you can about the three options. Each one has its own pros and cons, and fits each birth mother differently. 

2. The Relationship You Want with Your Child Post Placement

On the other hand, it’s completely okay to want a relationship with your child post placement. It’s also okay to want to meet the adoptive parents and get to know them as well. If you know that having updates about your child, and ensuring that he or she is happy, healthy and safe after the adoption is finalized will give you peace of mind, semi-open or open adoption may be best for you. Each of these offers varying levels of communication, but gives you the chance to have a relationship with your child and the adoptive parents. 

So, if this sounds like something you want, be sure to include it in your adoption plan. Remember, do what you feel is best for you and your child. Your adoption plan is completely up to you.

3. The Adoption Support You Want or Need in Your Adoption Plan

As a birth mother, you will feel a lot of emotions throughout the adoption journey. So, it’s good to have a support system for both the good days and bad.. Your support system can include trusted friends or family members, or you can become involved in a birth mother support group. We realize that not every birth mother may have supportive family and friends to rely on, which is why we also offer free counseling services. We, along with a birth mother support group, can be a second family to you, if need be, to help you through your adoption journey.  

4. The Adoptive Parents You Want for Your Child

With our adoption agency in Florida, you have full control over choosing the adoptive parents. Think about what type of adoptive family you envision for your child. Their age, general location, education and career status. Consider what reasons they might want to adopt your child, as well as their hobbies and interests. Imagine the kind of life you want for your child. What opportunities you hope the adoptive parents will offer your child. Include all these details in your adoption plan. All of this information and more will greatly help you with your decision.

5. What and Who to Include in Your Adoption Plan

Your adoption caseworker will work with you to create a unique birth plan that you feel comfortable with. There are many aspects of birth you will need to consider as you prepare for labor. Do you want pain medications? Would you prefer an all-natural birth? Is there anyone you will want with you during labor and delivery? What kind of space would you like to give birth in? You don’t have to make these decisions alone. We can provide you with the resources and information you need to ensure you go into the hospital with confidence. 

You may want the adoptive parents in the room. Or maybe not. You may want to hold your child after he or she is born. Or, perhaps you’d prefer the adoptive parents to hold the baby first. The events and people who can  be included in your adoption plan are endless. You can consult with your adoptive parents on these matters, if you wish, but remember this is your adoption journey. You have final say in how your plan and hospital experience goes.

Things to Consider when Creating Your Adoption Plan

Making an adoption plan can take you a long time, and that is okay. Not every birth mother knows exactly what they want from the beginning. There are aspects you have to consider that you may not have ever thought of. Adoption Choices of Florida will ensure that you are aware of every step of your adoption process. You will never be alone during your journey. We will advocate for everything you choose when creating your adoption plan.

If you are a pregnant woman in Florida considering adoption, and have any questions or concerns about the adoption process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. For more information on adoption, visit us at Adoption Choices of Florida or call us at: (833) 352-3678