The Benefits of Creating an Adoption Plan

By Erin Jones

One of the most important steps in the process of adoption in Florida is creating an adoption plan for your child. The main purpose of making this plan is to list out all of your preferences related to your child’s adoption. But, the benefits of creating a plan sooner rather than later go beyond just listing out your adoption-related preferences. It is important to learn more about how creating this plan. Increased knowledge can greatly benefit you by decreasing your stress levels and increasing your confidence in your adoption decision.    

3 Reasons to Start Creating Your Adoption Plan Now

So You can Start Thinking about Your Adoption-Related Preferences

One reason to create your adoption plan now is so you can start thinking about any preferences you may have. Adoption-related preferences vary greatly depending on each birth mother. Remember that no two birth mothers or adoption journeys are alike. Some common adoption-related preferences include the following:

• What type of adoption you prefer the most — open, semi-open, or closed?
• Your preferences regarding potential adoptive families for your child (careers of adoptive parents, financial stability, one or two-parent household, age, sexuality, race, religious views, etc. of the adoptive parents)
• Who you’d like to include in your adoption plan or support system?
• Your hospital or birth plan

You don’t have to include every single one of these preferences in your plan if you don’t wish to. Sometimes, birth mothers have no preferences regarding their child’s adoption. That said, you can also choose to include more preferences than the ones listed above — it’s OK to be specific! It is actually very important to be specific, as specificity will make it easier to match you with a potential adoptive family. Remember, even though you’ve decided not to raise your child, it’s still up to you to determine what’s best for them! 

So You Have a Guideline for What Your Adoption Journey is Going to Look Like

Creating your adoption plan will help you map out how your adoption journey is going to look. Of course, it’s important for you to note that your journey is subject to change at any point. The adoption process certainly has its fair share of ups and downs. So, don’t be surprised if you have to alter your plan slightly at some point. Changing up your plan might sound like a bump in the road, but don’t worry — it’s actually very common! It’s important for you to remain flexible throughout the process and trust your adoption team — and yourself! — to help you get through it.  

So You Feel Confident and Comfortable with Your Decision Throughout Your Adoption Journey

Birth mothers who create their plan sooner rather than later often feel more confident and comfortable throughout their journey. As aforementioned, your adoption plan is essentially a guideline for your adoption journey. It is certainly common for birth mothers to feel unsure of themselves. So, having a guideline to follow along with is an excellent way to ensure your confidence and comfort. And do not forget that adoption agencies, your team of professionals, and your own support system of family and friends will be right by your side to support you every step of the way. Everyone wants what’s best for you and your child!

Creating Your Adoption Plan in Florida

If you have not already committed to placing your child for adoption but are strongly considering it, Adoption Choices of Florida encourages you to start thinking about your adoption plan now. It’s very normal to feel embarrassed or even a little guilty about starting your child’s plan before you’ve fully committed to adoption, but remember, you can always change your mind. Getting a headstart on an adoption plan for your child is a wonderful way to begin considering your child’s life and the kind of future you want him or her to have. So, whether you’ve fully committed to placing your child for adoption or not, know that it’s never too late to start considering what’s in your child’s best interest! 

There is a lot of information for you to learn when it comes to your adoption journey. For a little more information on working with adoption agencies, please visit our website’s page on the the adoption process in Florida.

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