Types of Adoptions in Arizona
By Jaclyn Prasa
Have you recently found out about your unplanned pregnancy? That can be quite stressful if you do not feel ready to parent a child. If you wish for your child to have more opportunities than you can currently provide, you might consider adoption. Putting a child up for adoption can ensure that a loving adoptive family can properly provide for your baby. If you are leaning towards this option, you may be wondering more about the process and even more about the possible adoptive family. Adoption Choices of Arizona is here to help you throughout the process.
If you need adoption help now, please call us at 480-900-5520, text us at 602-922-0408 or visit us at Adoption Choices of Arizona
First, Choose the Right Type of Adoption for You
As you begin the adoption process with your personal adoption counselor, you will come to realize that the process is entirely in your hands. You access personalized help and financial support for creating an adoption plan. Some resources include financial aid, medical care, safe housing, and emotional support. Additionally, we treat you with respect and dignity and ensure that you receive the birth mother benefit you need.
At local adoption agencies in Arizona, there are three types of adoptions. The type of adoption pertains to the level of openness in the process and future arrangements.
- Open Adoption – An open adoption allows you to choose the family that adopts your baby. This type of adoption also allows direct contact with that chosen adoptive family. An open adoption allows for a relationship between you and the adoptive family to develop and grow. The arrangement will, of course, vary by case. You and the adoptive family will also agree upon communication and further contact post-placement. Whether communication may be through letters, email, phone calls, or maybe even visits, the arrangements can change and alter over time. The important thing is that this open contact allows you and the adoptive family to decide what does or does not work as time goes on. However, this arrangement does not mean co-parenting with the adoptive family. After you have given birth, once you sign over consent, legal parental rights belong solely to the adoptive family. Open adoption allows you a chance to remain part of your child’s life through open communication.
- Semi-Open Adoption – This type of adoption allows your local adoption agency, counselor, or lawyer to mediate any communication with the chosen adoptive family. Names and addresses are not disclosed. You still have a say and a choice when it comes to the adoptive family, but you may not meet them. If you do so happen to meet them, they will remain completely anonymous.
- Closed adoption – This is a confidential adoption for both parties. You will not know the adoptive family, and the adoptive family will not know you. Though, the birth parents’ medical records will be disclosed as your baby has rights to their medical history.
In fact, 95% of adoptions today contain some amount of openness. It is proven that children do better in an open environment where they know where they came from. Open adoption may not be the right choice for every birth parent, and that is OK. The important thing is that you do what is right for you, as by choosing adoption, you are already doing what is right for your child.
Choosing an Adoptive Family
If you choose an open type of adoption in Arizona, then you may also consider certain qualities that you wish in the adoptive family who raises your child. This can be an entirely personal and individual choice. The choice may align with your morals and ideals. You may consider choosing a family that will raise your child similarly to the values that you would teach. Some things to consider when choosing an adoptive family:
- Values
- Religion/Spiritual Pratices
- Location
- Lifestyles
- Parenting Style
- Post-Adoption Communication
- Pets
- Siblings
You may also want to consider the type of family you wish to adopt your child. There are many families seeking child adoption in Arizona. First, consider if you would want an older or a younger couple. An older couple may be more mature and financially secure. But you may feel a stronger connection to a younger couple, and you can assume that they’ll stay healthier for longer. Next, military families are looking to adopt. There may be added benefits when choosing a military family for your child, such as the Department of Defense’s health care and other provided services like childcare development and family development. Next, you can choose transracial parents to raise your child.
They may provide your child with cross-cultural experiences as well as a love and understanding of who your child truly is. Finally, you may consider if you’d prefer a traditional mother-and-father couple or a same-sex couple to raise your child. There is always a family waiting to love your child. Each family is carefully screened and approved before they are allowed to adopt. Therefore, you can be certain that whoever you choose is a safe match and they will feel blessed by your choice.
The Next Steps in the Adoption Process
If adoption sounds like the right option for you, then the next step is to contact Adoption Choices of Arizona. We understand that placing a baby up for adoption may be the most difficult thing that you will do. We also understand how generous this choice is of yours. Contact us for further information about the process of choosing an adoptive family.
For adoption resources or to begin your adoption journey, birth parents can visit us at Adoption Choices of Arizona or call us at 602-922-0408. If you are a prospective adoptive family hoping to adopt a baby, please, instead, visit us here!
