Things to Think About Before Choosing an Adoption Agency/Licensee
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So you’ve decided to consider an adoption placement for your unborn child. Please remember at all times that you are allowed to change your mind at any time about your adoption decision. Does the agency/licensee provide you with access to living resources or does it provide them? You may feel trapped by your current living situation, whatever that may be, but it’s important to know that in Canada an adoption agency, or potential adoptive parents are not allowed to provide you with financial support during your pregnancy. It is illegal! If you need help, you will need to find or housing support through regular government agencies or organizations. You will need to find help through separate programs that offer those same services if needed. |
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Does the agency provide you with counseling, both before and after the baby’s birth?
These counselors should be in place to help you figure out what resources you have to parent and the benefits of an adoption decision from an unbiased point of view. Having an unbiased counselor to speak with will allow you to truly make the best decision, whether parenting or adoption, for you and your child. Make sure you talk to someone because adoption is a life long choice, and better to know what and how you feel before you make your final decision.
Ask to speak with mothers that have used the agency before, whether they’ve placed their children or decided to parent.
The agency may look wonderful, but the best referrals are going to be from people that have been in similar shoes to you and can tell you frankly what their experiences have been.
Don’t be afraid to say no.
Just because you may feel like you have limited time does not mean that you should rush to make a decision about the agency you choose or even the parents you choose to raise your child should you decide adoption is the best route for you and your child. Rushing life changing decisions such as whether to place or parent inevitably leads to disillusionment and regret.
Final Thoughts
Though this document is geared toward choosing an agency, there is much information out there for you to make a decision that is informed and right for you. If you decide to not use the services of an agency initially, and find an adoptive parent on-line, know that you will have to involve an agency or licensee at some point to make the adoption legal. And, of course, please make sure that you will have a support system in place during the decision-making process and after you make your decision. Everyone needs a friend.
These counselors should be in place to help you figure out what resources you have to parent and the benefits of an adoption decision from an unbiased point of view. Having an unbiased counselor to speak with will allow you to truly make the best decision, whether parenting or adoption, for you and your child. Make sure you talk to someone because adoption is a life long choice, and better to know what and how you feel before you make your final decision.
Ask to speak with mothers that have used the agency before, whether they’ve placed their children or decided to parent.
The agency may look wonderful, but the best referrals are going to be from people that have been in similar shoes to you and can tell you frankly what their experiences have been.
Don’t be afraid to say no.
Just because you may feel like you have limited time does not mean that you should rush to make a decision about the agency you choose or even the parents you choose to raise your child should you decide adoption is the best route for you and your child. Rushing life changing decisions such as whether to place or parent inevitably leads to disillusionment and regret.
Final Thoughts
Though this document is geared toward choosing an agency, there is much information out there for you to make a decision that is informed and right for you. If you decide to not use the services of an agency initially, and find an adoptive parent on-line, know that you will have to involve an agency or licensee at some point to make the adoption legal. And, of course, please make sure that you will have a support system in place during the decision-making process and after you make your decision. Everyone needs a friend.
