The adoption process involves three distinct groups: the birth family (particularly the birth mother), the adoptive couple, and the child they share. Together, they’re often referred to as a triad. According to the Adoption Network, 95% of adoptions today are either semi-open or open. However, misperceptions still surround open adoption. People question whether an adopted child can understand the difference between a birth parent and an adoptive parent. Will a birth mother be able to heal if she has contact, and would adoptive parents fear losing their child? Let’s take a closer look at why an open adoption helps every member of the triad, and how to plan one if you’re considering adoption for your child. What Is Open Adoption? Adoption is a deeply personal decision for everyone, particularly an expectant mother or birth mother. She must decide what amount of contact benefits her healing. There are various levels of openness in adoption. Generally, an open adoption means that the birth parent(s) and adoptive family maintain some form of ongoing contact before, during, and after placement. They may share full names and addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses to contact one another. Depending on their proximity, they can also schedule in-person visits. Most adoption agencies, including Adoption Angels, require the adoptive parents to remain in contact with the birth family for a specific amount of time. At Adoption Angels, we ask our adoptive families to send photos and letters each month for the first six months, and continue uploading images to a Google Photos account at least twice a year until the child is 18. The adoptive family and the birth family can discuss further contact in addition to what is required. I s Open Adoption Good for the Birth Mother? According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, openness positively and significantly impacts a birth mother’s satisfaction with the adoption process and her post-adoption adjustment. Having an ongoing relationship with the adoptive family and her child assures her that her child is safe and loved, and that she made the right decision. She can explain to her child her reasons for choosing adoption and emphasize that she made the decision out of love. Does Open Adoption Help a Child? Adoptees should benefit the most from an open adoption. The child grows up knowing why their birth mothers chose adoption. Learning about their heritage, culture, and extended birth family helps them develop a stronger sense of identity. Knowing their birth family helps them correlate the nature vs. nurture conflict by answering questions like: “Why am I good at art and my adoptive parents aren’t?” or “Why do I like pick-up trucks and country music and my adoptive parents don’t?” How Do Adoptive Parents Benefit From Open Adoption? Adoptive parents have a firmer foundation for answering their child’s questions when they have a birth family relationship. In one study , adoptive parents had more positive feelings about the birth mother when they had ongoing contact. Knowing their birth mothers personally gave them more empathy and opened more opportunities to talk with their child about adoption and their emotional development. Choosing Open Adoption An open or semi-open adoption creates a special connection between birth and adoptive families, but that contact requires transparency and trust on everyone’s part. Openness provides less room for secrecy, and adoption becomes a healthier choice. If you would like to pursue an open or semi-open adoption for your child, we can assist you in creating a written plan. You have the freedom to select the adoptive parents for your child and the amount of contact you want. There is no “right” or “wrong” choice. Your adoption plan is personal, deeply personal. Only you know what’s best for you and your child. We can help facilitate your desires and assist you in finding the right family. To learn more about adoption and the various plans, contact Adoption Angels. You can fill out our confidential online contact form or call or text us 24/7 at (210) 227-2229. Your peace and future matter to us. Let us help you find the path that’s right for you.

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