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Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy? You might be considering adoption. Adoption is a positive choice for anyone who is not ready – or able – to raise a baby. You may be familiar with the terms open adoption and closed adoption, but did you know there is another choice? You can choose a semi-open adoption.
With open adoption, there is ongoing communication between birth and adoptive families. With closed adoption, there is no contact between the two parties, and oftentimes no information shared, either. If you are looking for something that falls in between, then a semi-open adoption may be the right choice for you.
There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to choosing the perfect adoption plan. It all comes down to what makes you most comfortable. The best semi-open adoption agencies can help you determine the right type of adoption plan for you and your baby.
How Does a Semi-Open Adoption Work?
It can be helpful to understand open adoption before diving into what a semi-open adoption entails. Open adoption can mean direct email updates, phone calls, and in-person reunions for some families. The form and frequency of contact is determined by the birth parent, with the adoptive family agreeing to the terms before the adoption is finalized. Many expectant/birth families like this option, because it means they can see their baby grow and build a relationship with the child in the future.
If an open adoption feels too open, then a semi-open adoption may be the right fit for you. As the name would suggest, semi-open adoption falls in between an open and closed adoption. With semi-open adoption, birth and adoptive parents may have indirect contact, often through the adoption agency. This indirect contact may include updates, photos, and letters.
A semi-open adoption provides a level of privacy that may appeal to those intimidated by the fully open adoption plan. This means that updates are still provided to you, the birth parent, so that you can see your baby’s growth and progress over the years, but without direct contact with the adoptive parents. A semi-open adoption also involves sharing the birth mother’s medical history and personal information, which is a great benefit for your baby.
With the support of your adoption agency, you can still enjoy the updates about your child’s growth and development. The adoptive family can send these updates and photos to your adoption agency, who will, in turn, send them along to you. You can enjoy the “firsts,” such as videos of baby’s first steps and photos of the first day of school. You can learn about your child’s favorite activities, like soccer or dance. You can still experience the joy of your child’s life while having the privacy that many birth parents of closed adoption enjoy.
Establishing Healthy Boundaries
As with any adoption plan, there are boundaries that must be set. These boundaries must be respected by the birth and adoptive families. With the support of semi-open adoption agencies, a birth parent can decide to keep the updates and communication strictly between the organization.
If you decide, after choosing a semi-open adoption, to open the adoption, that is okay, too. Your adoption agency can help you edit the terms of your adoption plan. Regardless of the openness of the adoption plan, birth parents – and adoptive parents – must understand and respect the boundaries of their relationship.
Birth parents need to remember – no matter what type of adoption plan is chosen – that they are not co-parenting their baby. Direct contact with the adoptive family does not mean parental rights are re-instated. This is an important boundary to respect for the adoptive family’s sake.
Adoptive parents must also remember that their baby’s birth parent needs to have space. There may be times when an email update goes unanswered. That is okay. There will be times when you, the birth parent, need to take some time to process your emotions or work on your own personal and professional goals. You are living a different life than the one of your adoptive family. This is why mutual respect is important. With respect for the boundaries of each person involved in the adoption triad, the adoption – whether it is closed, semi-open, or open – can be a success.
Build Your Semi-Open Adoption Plan
As an expectant/birth parent, it is important to carefully consider the form and frequency of communication with which you will feel most comfortable. You can determine the best type of adoption plan – including the communication details – with your adoption agency.
The best semi-open adoption agencies will listen to your concerns, ideas, and wishes, and acknowledge what you need. At Adoptions With Love, for example, every expectant/birth parent is considered family. Our priority is to support needs. This includes your medical, mental, emotional – and even financial – needs.
Learn More About Semi-Open Adoption
If you are considering adoption – no matter the type of plan – contact Adoptions With Love today. We can offer you obligation-free information and help you understand your options. We can guide you through the adoption process every step of the way. Call 800-722-7731, text (confidentially) 617-777-0072, or contact us online.