Information about openness in adoption

Many years ago, all adoptions were closed. This meant that birth parents did not know anything about the baby or his/her adoptive family. There was no contact. There was no exchange of information or names. And, in many households, there was never any discussion about adoption. Times have changed and, today, adoption is much different. Birth parents and adoptive parents can meet and get to know one another during the pregnancy. They are able to develop a relationship and share the common bond of love through a child. (Click here to view Adoptive Parent Profiles) Information is available to birth parents in the form of photos and written updates. Biological family history, including detailed medical information is provided by you for your child. Most importantly, because of openness, there can be contact in the future and an ongoing story to share of your child’s life; a story that is based on love. When there is openness, or on-going communication between adults, your child will know that the decision you made was not an easy one, and made out of love for him/her. The decision to complete an adoption plan affects every person involved. Openness in adoption ensures that the truth is told, and the decision to place a child with an adoptive family was made lovingly, carefully and wisely. 

Rest assured that the parents you select to raise your child will retell the adoption story in a life-affirming, positive way. Children love to hear the story of their life over and over again. They often want to know all about their birth parents, who they look like and what talents they may have because of you. Adopted children who have access to information about their biological family members develop positive identities, within the safety and security of a loving home. Adopted children thrive when they know they are loved unconditionally by his/her Heavenly Father and by his/her parents, both birth and adoptive.