Should You Have an Open Adoption?

When you decide to adopt a child, there are many different options that you may not have ever thought of. You might want to adopt a child from another country, though there are plenty in the United States that are available also. You may want to find one who has some special needs, because you want to give him or her the best life possible. There are even times when you can choose to adopt a child, while the mother is still pregnant.

That being said, there are other things to consider. You need to decide whether or not you want an open or closed adoption. An open adoption basically means that you will have contact with the birth parents, even after you adopt their child. Together you can decide how much contact there is so that both parties can spend time with the child.

A closed adoption means that you won’t have any contact with the birth parents. This can be a hard decision to make, and you shouldn’t take it lightly.

If you are considering an open adoption, here are some reasons why it might be best for you and the child.

Your child will grow up knowing his or her birth parents. Many adopted children struggle with their identity when they find out they are adopted. They don't really know who they are, where they came from, or even why they became adopted.

Those who have contact with their birth parents seem to have fewer questions about themselves as time goes on. When they come to you with questions about their birth parents and why they were adopted, you can let them ask their birth parents themselves. You aren’t going to have to talk about this hard situation.

They won't feel the need to search for their birth parents behind your back. When children find out they are adopted, they often go looking for their birth parents. Because they don't want to hurt your feelings, they often do this behind their adopted parents' backs.

However, if they know who they are all along, there isn't any need for searching and secrecy. In fact, they may have a good relationship with their birth parents throughout their entire life.

You will know their medical information. Not having all the information can make it hard to raise a child. You should be able to have access to any health issues that may be hereditary. This also includes any mental and emotional health problems that the biological family could pass onto your child. For instance, you can keep an eye out if you know that the mother has a heart condition that is hereditary

There is more love to go around. When you allow your child to have access to his or her biological family, you are giving them even more love. They are going to have a second set of parents and grandparents who love the child so much that they were willing to do the hard task of letting them go to a family who could give them a better life. Their birth parents may want to be more involved and spend time with them, showering them with even more love.

Though you may not want the stress of having biological parents in your child's life, it can be helpful. Your child may not struggle so much with their identity because they know where they come from. They can ask their birth parents the difficult questions, instead of trying to find out why their birth parents didn’t keep them. You are also giving them extra love in their life. They may see it as having an extra set of parents and grandparents to give them love and attention. It also helps to know their medical history, in case anything happens.