The Benefits of Creating an Adoption Plan

Written By: Erin Jones

Regarded as one of the most important steps in the Florida adoption process is the task of creating an adoption plan for your child. The main purpose of creating an adoption plan for your child is essentially to list out all of your preferences related to your child’s adoption. But, the benefits of creating an adoption plan sooner rather than later go beyond just listing out your adoption-related preferences. Learning more about how creating an adoption plan can benefit you by decreasing your stress levels and increasing your confidence in your adoption decision.    

3 Reasons to Start Creating Your Adoption Plan Now

1. So You can Start Thinking about Your Adoption-Related Preferences

One of the most important reasons to begin creating your adoption plan now is so you can start thinking about any preferences you may have related to your child’s adoption. Adoption-related preferences vary depending upon each birth mother, since no two are alike. Some common adoption-related preferences include the following:

• What type of adoption you want — 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 child’s adoption plan if you don’t wish to. Sometimes, birth mothers placing a child for adoption have no preferences regarding their child’s adoption, other than that their child is adopted by a loving adoptive family. That said, you can also choose to include more preferences than the ones listed above — it’s OK to be specific! Remember, even though you’ve decided not to raise your child, you’re still a parent and it’s up to you to determine what’s best for your child! 

2. 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 adoption plan slightly at some point. Changing up your adoption plan might sound like a bump in the road that you don’t really need as you go along on your adoption journey, 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.  

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

Birth mothers who create their adoption plan sooner rather than later often feel more confident and comfortable with their adoption decision and throughout their adoption journey. As aforementioned, your adoption plan is essentially a guideline for your adoption journey. Having that guideline to follow along with is an excellent way to ensure your confidence and comfort, as it’s quite normal for birth mothers going through the adoption process to experience nervousness and hesitation. And don’t forget — your adoption agency, 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!

Getting a Headstart on Your Adoption Plan!

If you haven’t 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 normal to feel embarrassed or even a little guilty about starting your child’s adoption 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 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! 

For more information on the adoption process with our agency, please visit our website’s page on 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