Adoption

Is Adoption Right for You and Your Child?

Many women are facing an unplanned pregnancy and each situation is different. Only you know what will be the right decision – not the father of the baby, not your parents, your sister, or your best friend.

Every year, thousands of women make the adoption decision, primarily because they love their child and want their child to have a life filled with both love and opportunity. Listed below are some of the reasons these women chose adoption for their child:

Two-parent home, where both parents are involved in the raising of the child.
Financial stability, so their child can have more opportunities in life.
Not ready to parent, either because of their age or simply because they wanted to pursue school or other goals before motherhood. Or perhaps they have other children and knew from experience how challenging raising a child can be.
High School or College goals

Sorting Through Your Emotions and Answering Your Adoption Questions

Few women in your position feel 100 percent confident about their decision of either parenting or adoption. For those women who choose adoption, this uncertainty begins to fade away as they begin to learn more about the adoption process, and later, get to know the adoptive family.

Once we get to know you, and if you decide adoption is right for you, we will help you choose the perfect family to fulfill your hopes and dreams for your child. We have pre-screened and approved families waiting to adopt. We take the time to get to know our adopting families well. We know their life styles, personal characteristics, their wants and dreams. We also have access to many, many loving families through our various exclusive networks. We can also help with your pregnancy related and living expenses should you need this support.

Q & A

Many questions will arise, here are some of the most common and hopefully once they are answered you will feel more confident about your adoption decision. Click each question to reveal the response.

Where do I begin?

The first step is to schedule an appointment with an adoption advocate. You can either come into our offices or meet at a place of your choosing to speak about all possible options for your baby. You will not be pressured to make an adoption plan.

How do other women make such a difficult decision?

Women who plan adoption for their babies love them very much. After choosing adoption, they never forget or stop loving their child. It is not an easy decision and you will feel grief and loss afterwards. Reassurance can come from knowing that you made the plan that you believed was best for you and your child.

How do I find the right agency?

Agencies should provide a counselor who will speak with you about all the options you have available to you, including adoption. You shouldn’t feel pressured to make an adoption plan. You have the right to take the time necessary to decide what is best for you and your baby. To find out more about your rights, call Adoption Resources of Kimberly Home 1-727-331-0932 or 941-685-5674 All calls are confidential. Our services are free and at no obligation to you.

What if I am under eighteen?

Minors do not need their parents to agree to an adoption. However, a reputable agency will help you involve family and friends, if appropriate.

Your counselor will help you explore all of your options so that you can decide what is best for you and your baby. There is no pressure to choose adoption. More than half of the women who receive counseling from Adoption Resources of Kimberly Home decide to parent their children.

When can I sign the legal documents?

Once you decide this is your plan, you will be asked to fill out forms. These forms help us find the right family for your child. Nothing you sign during the pregnancy is legally binding with the exception of the financial support agreement.

You cannot legally sign papers placing your baby for adoption until after you have given birth. If you are working with an agency or an attorney who has had you sign papers while pregnant, you should know that these documents are not legally binding. We encourage you to meet with an advocate before signing papers. Adopted children and families need to have certain information (such as medical history) that only you can provide.

What if I give birth and I am still not sure what to do?

If you need more time after the baby’s birth, AR of KH can place your baby with one of our experienced cradle care families who will provide a loving home for your baby while you decide. You remain the baby’s legal parent during this time and may visit the baby.

Who typically places their child for adoption?

Women from all races, ethnicities and religions have decided to place their children through Adoption Resources of Kimberly Home (AR of KH)—more than half of them are African-American, Hispanic or Asian. The agency has families waiting to adopt who may reflect the birth parents’ own racial, ethnic and cultural heritage.

Who typically chooses the family for my baby?

You choose the family for your baby by looking at pictures and reading profiles of waiting families. You can meet the one you choose to make sure they are the right family for your baby.

How do I know the family is a good family?

AR of KH conducts a careful home study of families who want to adopt. Fingerprints, child abuse clearance, references and interviews are part of the process. Adoptive families must provide their background information and we interview people who have known them for years. Families receive education about adoption and how to help the child understand adoption. Birth parents meet and choose the adoptive parents for their child.

What is difference between open and closed adoption?

Closed is exactly that…some moms prefer not to have contact or know anything beyond giving birth. Should you change your mind, we will have the pictures and update letters in her file.

In open adoption, the birth parents choose their baby’s family and the amount of their future contact. This gives you the opportunity to know your child, even though you have surrendered legal and parenting rights to the adoptive parents. Birth and adoptive families may decide to stay in touch through letters, pictures, phone calls, e-mails and/or periodic visits. Whatever the arrangement, children generally feel better knowing where they came from; and both birth and adoptive families feel more comfortable about the adoption when they have information about each other and the child.

What about the baby’s father?

You can discuss your particular situation with your counselor to determine what is best for you. The agency encourages both birth parents to be involved in planning for the adoption whenever this is possible. Having as much information as possible about the medical background from both sides of the family will help ensure the baby’s future health. If you are married, or if the birth father has legally claimed paternity of the baby, then he must participate in the planning. You can explore your circumstances with your adoption advocate with complete confidentiality.

What happens if I used drugs or alcohol?

It is important that you speak with your adoption advocate about any alcohol or drugs you may have taken during your pregnancy, so that we can find the best family for your child. Drug and alcohol use during pregnancy can increase your baby’s risk for certain challenges.

If doctor thinks my child will have special problems… what happens then?

AR of KH will work with special adoptive families who are wanting to adoption infants with a variety of special needs, from the most serious to very minor challenges. Many families across the United States are waiting to bring an infant with special needs into their home and family.

I heard I could get help with my expenses - is this true?

We may be able to help you with pregnancy-related expenses. The laws in Florida are very clear about what can be paid on your behalf. Your advocate will help you establish a financial plan.

If I am not here legally what can I do?

You have the right to make a legal and safe adoption plan for your infant regardless of your immigration status. Your immigration status remains confidential

With our many years of experience working with mothers we think we offer you a opportunity to explore all your options without pressure or incentives. Email cghuston@aol.com or call us today at (941) 360-3600.