What is adoption?
Adoption is the birth Mother’s choice to permanently and
legally entrust her child to the care of someone else. Mom may
choose to remain involved in her birth-child’s life, but the
adoptive couple becomes the child’s parents.
What types of adoption does the Gabriel
Project Support? All adoptions must be handled by the local
Catholic Adoption Agency, usually Catholic Charities. If a
Catholic Agency is not available, remember Adoption is big business
with only one baby available for every 40 couples who want to
adopt. If Mom needs residential care, ensure the home will not
pressure her to adopt. Working with a Catholic Agency prevents Mom
being abused and financially exploited.
The
Gabriel Project is NOT an adoption agency and is NEVER to be
involved in private adoptions. It may be considered illegal in some
States, and adoptions are beyond the competency of the Gabriel
Project.
Who is affected by adoption?
The birth family, the adopted child and the adoptive family are
affected. Each person has needs and adoption today address the
needs of everyone.
Why do people choose to make an
adoption plan for their child?
Giving her child up for adoption is a sign of real courage and
mature love on the part of Mom for her child. She is willing to
suffer herself for the sake of her child. The circumstances
surrounding adoption include:
-
An ill-timed pregnancy
-
Financial considerations
-
Age at the time of pregnancy
-
Family encouragement for adoption
-
A plan to continue education
-
Mom is unmarried
-
Lack of support and interest on the
part of the birth fathers
Moms choose adoption because they are
unable to parent the baby at that time. Most Moms
will choose to parent another child later in their life. Birth Moms
make adoption plans because they love their baby and want what is
best for them.
What is “open” adoption?
In open adoption, the birth Mom
participates in selecting the adopting family for her child. She
can choose whether or not to meet the adopting family and to keep in
contact with her child and parenting family once the child is
adopted.
While adoption is a legal arrangement,
open Adoption is not; it is a social arrangement. That means the
‘open’ part of the adoption is an agreement between Mom and the
adoptive family unenforceable by law. Mom has no legal obligation
to her birth-child or the adoptive family.
Many birth Moms want an opportunity to
say good-bye to their baby and they want to know how the baby is
doing from time to time. The birth Mom will always love and care
about her child.
A prayer service and ritual when Mom
gives her baby to the adoptive parents is spiritually helpful.
How does Mom make an adoption
plan? Mom will need to consult with
a state certified Catholic child-placing agency. The social workers
at the agency will talk with Mom and help her decide if adoption is
the best option. Options counseling can take up to one month.
Talking to an agency about adoption does not mean that Mom has made
up her mind! Mom will have time to make up her mind about what
to do and will not have any obligation to the agency.
If Mom chooses to pursue adoption, the
social worker will discuss her needs now and the degree of openness
she wants. Mom will help select the adoptive family prior to the
baby’s birth. The social worker will fully explain the legal and
social aspects of the adoption plan.
What are the legal aspects of
adoption? You need to ensure that
Mom fully understands her legal rights and obligations. The agency
will be responsible for this. Legal requirements vary from state to
state. Once the legal paper work is signed, the child is available
for adoption. Adoption agencies do not charge the birth Mom
anything for their services.
I love my baby and I’m worried about how I will feel
after making an adoption plan.
Quality agencies provide counseling and support groups for Moms for
up to two years at NO cost.
Common
Concerns About Adoption:
Yes,
you can choose your baby’s family
Yes,
you can meet the adoptive family
Yes,
you can design your own adoption plan
Yes,
if you already know a qualified family and they wish to adopt your
baby, this can be accomplished
The Adoptive Family - There are many
loving, caring couples who want children but cannot have them. These
couples are also emotionally and financially ready for parenthood.
This is where adoption can be a loving and unselfish decision for
the well being of all concerned – the child, the birth parents and
the adoptive couple. Adoptive families are:
-
Carefully screened, studied and
approved
-
Loving, caring and stable
-
Educated in adoption issues and in
infant and child care
-
Supervised for a least six months
after placement
Post Adoption Services - Adoption doesn’t
end on the day of placement. It is a lifelong process for the child,
the birth parents and the adoptive parents. Post adoption
counseling, exchange of information and support groups are available
through reliable agencies.
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