Open Adoption in Vermont [You Don’t Have to Say Goodbye]
In the past, placing your baby for adoption meant you couldn’t see them again. But today, open adoption offers a different path — one where “goodbye” doesn’t have to mean forever.
Open adoption lets you stay connected with your child as they grow, giving you peace of mind because you’ll know how they’re doing. It also gives you the flexibility to be part of their life while moving forward with your own.
For more information about open adoption, contact us today.
In Vermont, you have the opportunity to build a unique adoption plan that reflects your preferences for the future. This article will guide you through the basics of open adoption, what it looks like in Vermont and the benefits it can offer you as a birth mother.
What Is Open Adoption?
In an open adoption, the birth parents and adoptive family maintain some level of contact after the adoption is finalized. Unlike closed adoptions, where no information is shared between the birth and adoptive families, open adoption allows for a relationship that benefits everyone involved.
As an expectant parent, open adoption gives you more control over the adoption process. You can choose the family you believe will provide the best life for your baby and decide how much contact you want to have after the adoption. Maintaining a relationship after placement ensures your child grows up knowing who you are and where they come from while also giving you the reassurance that you made the right choice.
What Does Open Adoption Mean in Vermont?
You get to decide the level of contact that you’re comfortable with in an open adoption. Your adoption professional will help you find a family that shares your preferences, ensuring that your wishes are respected and that your relationship with your child develops in a way that feels right to you.
After the adoption is finalized, you could keep in contact with your child and their adoptive family through:
- Letters and photos
- Phone or video calls
- In-person visits
- Social media updates
- Text messages
- And more
Your adoption professional will be there to guide you through these options and help you create an open adoption agreement. In Vermont, these agreements can be legally enforceable under certain circumstances. This means that you can have peace of mind knowing that the level of contact you’ve agreed upon will be honored.
3 Benefits of Open Adoption for Birth Parents
Choosing open adoption offers several benefits that can make your journey as a birth mother a little easier. Here are three key advantages:
1. Receive Updates on Your Baby
Knowing how your child is doing can give you peace of mind. You won’t have to wonder if you made the right choice because you’ll see your baby growing and changing over the years. You’ll also see that they are deeply loved by the adoptive parents you carefully chose.
2. Build a Long-Lasting Relationship
Depending on your open adoption agreement, you could maintain regular contact with your child and their adoptive parents. This connection can grow stronger over time; some birth mothers even become members of the adoptive parents’ extended families.
3. Help Your Child Understand Their Origins
It’s natural for kids to question where they come from and why they exist. In an open adoption, you can help answer their questions as they form their identity. This can give them a fuller understanding of their background.
Open vs. Closed Adoption: What’s the Difference?
Choosing between open, closed and semi-open adoption depends on what you feel is best for you and your child. Here’s what you should know about each type of adoption:
- Open adoption: An open adoption allows a relationship between you, the adoptive family and your child. This could range from regular updates and visits to occasional contact.
- Closed adoption: In contrast, a closed adoption involves no contact between the birth parents and the adoptive family after the adoption is finalized. This means that once the adoption is complete, there’s no way to connect with your child or receive updates.
- Semi-open adoption: There’s also a middle ground called semi-open adoption, where communication is indirect and often facilitated by an adoption professional. In this type of adoption, you might exchange letters or photos through an agency, but personal details are kept private.
Open adoption offers the most flexibility and potential for ongoing contact, which can help you stay connected and involved in your child’s life. However, you may need time to heal physically and emotionally after giving birth. Your adoption professional will help you create a contact agreement that works best for you.
Open Adoption Stories From Women like You
Hearing from other birth mothers who have gone through the adoption process can be incredibly reassuring. Real-life stories can provide insight into what open adoption for birth mothers is really like and help you feel more prepared for the journey ahead.
Here are a couple of testimonials from women who chose open adoption:
Rebecca
“Adoption has changed my life for the better. I’m able to be a part of my son’s life, while also gaining new family in Katie and Andy. We hit it off instantly and they became a huge support in any choice I made. I chose to place my son to a family through adoption, but adoption truly chose me.” -Rebecca, birth mother
Sarah
“Adoption has changed my life because I have extended my family. A child that I knew I could not parent is now a forever part of my life, and she has an amazing mom and dad who I stay in great contact with. We touch base at least once a week — not because there is any obligation to do so, but because we are friends. We talk about all the things life throws at us. The good and the bad. We have visited together (once COVID-19 allowed that to happen!) and we have an agreement that we will be open with both girls — my daughter and theirs — about their relation to each other as they get older. We will foster their connection but ultimately let them decide how much of a relationship they want to have with one another.” -Sarah, birth mother
These testimonials show that open adoption is not just a decision you make — it’s a relationship that grows and evolves over time, offering you and your child a meaningful connection. You can give your child a brighter future without needing to say “goodbye.” For more information about open adoption, check out our guide today.