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Are you living in Virginia and considering making an open adoption plan for your baby? Open adoption is a positive choice for expectant/birth mothers who hope to have a relationship with their child and the adoptive family after placement. Because of open adoption, you do not need to say “goodbye” to your baby forever—this brings many birth mothers peace of mind. Open adoption enables you to choose the adoptive parents for your child and maintain an ongoing relationship with the family if you wish. If you are considering open adoption in Virginia, you will need to work with an open adoption agency or professional that is familiar with the state’s laws.
Adoptions With Love specializes in providing loving, thoughtful, and safe adoption plans for expectant/birth parents and their children. Our dedicated staff works diligently nationwide to ensure women considering this path are met with compassion, respect, and care. We offer a full team of counselors, attorneys, and adoption professionals in Virginia who are ready to help you. Our services are completely confidential and always free of charge to expectant/birth mothers. Whether you’re considering open adoption or are already on this path, this guide will provide valuable insights to help you navigate your journey with confidence.
Understanding Open Adoption
Open adoption can take on many different meanings and can look different for every family. There is no one, “right” way to have an open adoption. Open adoption means there is communication between birth parents and adoptive families. This communication can happen before the adoption is finalized and continues for a lifetime. The form and frequency with which the two parties stay in touch can vary.
Why Open Adoption Matters
When you work with an open adoption agency (like Adoptions With Love), you can customize an open adoption plan that works best for you. For example, if you would like to receive mail or emails with photos and updates once a year, that can be arranged. That is part of the program at Adoptions With Love. Once you have established a connection with the adoptive family – if you choose to meet them – you may decide that you would like to stay in touch with them over phone calls or text messages. Contact online is also popular, so you may choose to follow each other through a private photo file. Your adoption counselor can help you decide what makes you comfortable and can facilitate the arrangement before putting it in an open adoption contract.
Benefits of Open Adoption in Virginia
Open adoption in Virginia is very common today, because of the benefits it offers to birth mothers, adoptive parents, and most of all, to children.
Many birth mothers today are open about expressing how much open adoption means to them. Diana, a birth mom who placed her child with adoption, had this to say about her child’s adoptive parents:
“I know that in the end, everything will work out for the best. I also thank God every day that there are people out there who care so much. Without these wonderful people, whom I consider my family now, my child would have been in a single-parent household and we would be struggling to get by. I am very proud of the adoptive parents because raising a child is no easy feat.”
The benefits of open adoption can help birth mothers cope and overcome the grief that Diana acknowledged in her letter. Open adoption often provides peace of mind, as you can stay in touch and see that your child is growing up in a safe and stable home and that they are well-cared for, by a family that loves them. As a birth mother, choosing open adoption also means you can continue to work toward your own personal and professional goals, without saying goodbye forever.
For children, open adoption also has many wonderful benefits. It allows them:
- To develop a strong sense of identity
- To build a deeper understanding of their cultural and ethnic heritage
- The chance to connect with any other biological relatives
- An understanding of why they were placed for adoption, which helps their relationships with birth parents down the road
Key Statistics and Facts About Open Adoption
- Open adoption is the new norm. Years ago, most adoptions were closed.
- Only 5% of adoptions today are closed.
- 99% of adopted children over the age of 5 know they were adopted.
- 95% of adoption agencies today offer open adoption.
- Most birth mothers in open adoptions today have peace of mind about their choice and are certain they would make the same decision again.
- 90% of adopted children over age 5 have “positive” or “mostly positive” feelings about their adoption.
- Children in open adoptions have a better understanding of self-identity, family history/genealogy, and the reason their birth mother lovingly made an adoption plan.
Overview of Adoption Agencies in Virginia
Types of Virginia Adoption Agencies
- Private Adoption Agencies in Virginia: With this type of adoption agency, a birth mother voluntarily places her baby for adoption – and, typically, with a family of her choosing.
- Foster Care Agencies in Virginia: This is a state-run system that handles the temporary and permanent placement of children who have been removed from their home, due to circumstances like abuse, neglect, or other unsafe conditions.
The Home Study Process for Adoptive Parents
The adoption home study process is an important step that helps ensure your child will be placed in a safe, loving, and supportive home. It’s designed to assess whether prospective adoptive parents are prepared emotionally, financially, and physically to care for a child. This process involves background checks, interviews, and a home inspection to confirm that the environment is secure and nurturing. The home study also serves as an educational experience for adoptive families, helping them understand the responsibilities of parenting and the unique challenges that can come with adoption. By gathering detailed information about the family, the process helps adoption professionals match children with families that best meet their needs. Additionally, the home study ensures that all legal and ethical standards are met, giving you peace of mind that your child’s best interests are the top priority. Through this thorough process, the adoptive family also gains access to resources and support systems to help them prepare for and succeed in their parenting journey.
Agency Services and Support
At a Virginia open adoption agency, like Adoptions With Love, expectant/birth parents can receive supportive services at no cost. AWL offers services that include counseling, medical coverage, legal guidance, adoption design support, and more.
Choosing the Right Virginia Open Adoption Agency
Factors to Consider
When considering the right Virginia open adoption agency, research the services offered. Your health and well-being should be the top priority for the agency. You should also consider how you will be treated. The best Virginia adoption agencies will serve you with the respect, compassion, and dignity you deserve.
They will also take the time to walk you through the Virginia adoption process with patience and understanding. They will answer any questions you may have and ensure that your rights are protected.
Question to Ask Potential Agencies
- What kind of services can you offer?
- How often can I contact someone on your staff?
- Can you help me get to know my child’s adoptive family?
- What happens after the adoption is complete?
Free Services for Virginia Open Adoptions
Choosing to work with Adoptions With Love means having access to free, in-person sessions with licensed attorneys and experienced counselors specially trained in Virginia adoption. The attorneys assist expectant/birth mothers with important legal requirements and all of these professionals are here to help guide you through this process every step of the way. They can educate you on your rights as a birth mother, listen to your concerns and wishes, and ensure you are comfortable at every stage of this long and emotional journey.
The adoption attorneys and counselors in our Virginia network are chosen not only because of their knowledge and experience, but also because they are compassionate, sensitive, and understanding. At Adoptions With Love, we work tirelessly to provide the emotional support expectant/birth moms need throughout the adoption. If needed, we can also help you with living and maternity related expenses such as rent, utilities, transportation, and groceries.
Frequently Asked Questions about Open Adoption in Virginia
How does open adoption benefit the child?
With open adoption, a child grows up understanding the reasons why their birth parent(s) lovingly placed them for adoption. They grow up knowing their birth parent(s) and are more likely to feel well-adjusted with their adoptive family.
Are there different types of open adoption?
Open adoption looks different for everyone. It can include text messages, email updates, phone calls, and in-person visits. The form and frequency vary based on each adoptive family. With the right Virginia open adoption agency, you can custom design a plan that meets your needs and helps you feel most comfortable with and confident in your adoption decision.
Can open adoption be changed or modified?
Open adoption agreements are signed, just like any other contract, but they may be tweaked over the years to best serve the evolving relationships and the changing needs of a growing child.
How can birth parents and adoptive parents build a positive open adoption relationship?
Building a positive open adoption relationship is much like building any other friendship or family-like relationship. You are bonded by your deep love for this one child. Adoptive parents and birth parents can lean on their Virginia open adoption agency for support, but they can also work on building their relationship slowly over time. Patience, understanding, and respect are key for building a solid foundation.
Choose an Adoption Agency for Your Virginia Open Adoption
Whether you just found out that you are pregnant or you have already given birth, it is never too late to place your baby for adoption in Virginia. At Adoptions With Love, we maintain close relationships with specialists across the state and we can send a professional straight to your door – even in your hospital room.
Placing your baby for adoption is anything but “giving up.” Making an open adoption plan is a thoughtful, loving, and brave decision. It does not mean saying goodbye forever, as it keeps the window open for a relationship down the road. You deserve to have the support you need during this challenging time, and we are here for you, whatever you need.
If you are looking for an adoption agency with a long record of caring and compassion that has been serving Virginia for 35 years, contact us by text at 617-777-0072, by phone at 1-800-722-7731, or by message online. Our staff is here to answer your call any time of day or night, any day of the week.
Open adoption was the greatest decision of my life. His family has become my family and the pictures I get give me not only peace of mind, but also a big smile. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.” - Kaitlin