What is Semi-Open Adoption in Florida?

Written by Cynthia Knott

When developing an Florida adoption plan, your adoption caseworker will ask you to choose which type of adoption you want. Open and closed adoptions are two of the three options. But what is semi-open adoption? Birth mothers face a lot of choices and sometimes want something in between what open and closed adoption offers. So, understanding this third type of adoption could help you as you’re trying to make a final decision.

Adoption Choices of Florida will guide you from the beginning to help you decipher which type of adoption is best for you. We know that choosing the option that best suits you can take a lot of time and effort. That’s why our adoption agency is available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns you have. To help you get started, here are some questions you may have when researching semi-open adoption.

What is Semi-Open Adoption?

Semi-open adoptions are the middle ground in regards to the amount of involvement you have with the adoptive family and your child. It is a popular choice for birth mothers who want to continue with their life, but still have some updates on their child’s life.  Updates through our adoption agency in Florida are mediated through a secure, private online portal called ChildConnect. Through this, birth mothers and adoptive parents can exchange letters and photos without having direct contact with each other. 

If you need help, your adoption caseworker can help you decide what to share and how to communicate with your adoptive family. The level of communication can vary depending on what you want. In semi-open adoptions, it’s common for birth mothers to meet with the adoptive parents before the baby is born. If you want, the adoptive parents are able to be there for the birth and delivery. If either of you wishes to adjust the arrangement in the future, that can be easily discussed. 

How Does Semi-Open Differ from Open and Closed Adoption?

Choosing the right type of adoption for you can be a challenging decision. That’s why it’s important to learn all you can about each one. But, remember, that you don’t have to go through this alone. Your adoption caseworker will break down all three of your adoption options to see what best suits you and what you’re looking for in your adoption journey. 

The biggest difference semi-open adoptions have with open and closed adoptions is the amount of openness. With open adoption, you can have full contact and meet with the adoptive family before your baby is born. In contrast to closed adoption, where you have no contact with your child or the adoptive family.  

So, in essence, semi-open adoption is the middle ground. It allows you to receive updates about your birth child through mediated communication. Our adoption agency in Nevada uses a secure, confidential online portal called ChildConnect to do this. You and the adoptive parents can send each other photos, letters and updates as often or as infrequent as you want from a safe distance. 

What does Semi-Open Adoption Mean for Birth Mothers?

Semi-open adoption allows birth mothers to watch their child grow up from a distance. You do not have to commit to constant communication, but you will be aware of your child’s life. If you don’t want to be fully involved in your child’s life, but still want to know how he or she is doing, semi-open is a great option. The level of communication is completely up to you.

Knowing that your child is in a happy and healthy environment with their adoptive family can allow you to have a sense of closure and peace. You will be able to achieve your goals while still being up-to-date on your child’s life through the years. Your child can also get to know some things about you and ask you questions, if that is what you want. 

Is Semi-Open Adoption Best for Me?

Before you choose which type of adoption you want, there are a few questions you should ask yourself: Do I want the adoptive family to know who I am? How much information should I share? Is it important for me to have a strong relationship with my child? All of these questions and more will help you and your adoption caseworker determine which type of adoption is most suitable for your wishes.

Your adoption caseworker can listen to opinions and provide suggestions, but we cannot make the choice for you. If you would prefer to have fewer or more communications in the future, semi-open adoption might be the best option for you. Remember to take your time and think about what you want. There’s no rush! Only you can decide which type of adoption is best for you.

Ready to Choose Semi-Open Adoption?

You want the best for your child. Every decision you make is important, and determining the level of contact you wish to have during the adoption process is essential. 

Adoption Choices of Florida will provide you with an adoption caseworker who is well-versed in all three of the types of adoption. If you want additional information about semi-open adoption, or are ready to start your adoption plan, don’t hesitate to reach out! Our adoption agency is available 24/7 to help.

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