November is National Adoption Month and this very special adoption awareness month is a time to help educate people about the loving choice of adoption through various programs, events, and activities.
When did National Adoption Month begin?
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Adoption Week. Nine years later, President Bill Clinton expanded it to include the whole month of November.
Now, adoption awareness month is promoted and celebrated in communities around the country. Adoption agencies and other organizations often find that this month is a greatly beneficial time to help introduce people to what adoption is all about and how it might work for their unique situation.
We are grateful to walk alongside expectant parents that are considering placing their baby for adoption. This is one of the most loving decisions parents can make, and we are proud to do our part in promoting modern adoption.
At Lifetime Adoption, we make it our mission to continue to serve women and families of all kinds that are exploring the idea of adoption.
The truth is, we love helping people experience the beauty of open adoption.
What is open adoption?
Our open adoption agency allows birth parents to determine how they want to be involved in their child’s life. While they may be choosing other parents for their baby, the birth parents can create an agreement with the adoptive parents to stay in contact with their child and see them if they want to.
Adoptive families that adopt children from an open adoption agency are nurturing parents that want nothing more than to raise a baby in a loving environment.
Open adoptions also mean birth parents can pick the family that adopts their baby. And once the baby is born, the family and birth parents can keep in touch to discuss things about the child’s medical history and more. If they choose, birth parents can be active participants in their child’s life.
Why is open adoption a good choice?
Open adoption gives expectant mothers the peace of mind knowing that their child will be raised by a family that they chose and that they have the option of getting to know their child over time. Open adoption also allows birth parents to create a birth plan that works for them. From choosing the family to determining who gets to be there when the baby is born, birth parents have a say in how they want things to go.
These choices as a birth mother in an open adoption may not exist when choosing another type of adoption, like a closed adoption.
Choosing adoption means choosing life.
Birth parents who choose adoption may feel sadness and grief. However, the sense of hope that comes from knowing they have chosen to give their child life will prevail.
Many birth parents share that, while they sit with their grief of not being able to raise their child, they feel a unique sense of optimism about their child being placed in a safe home that loves their child unconditionally.
In addition, making the loving decision of an open adoption also means that the child will have a stable home and a solid foundation to begin their life. This is something that is invaluable and is truly a gift in and of itself. We celebrate these birth parents, not just during adoption awareness month, but year-round, for their loving choice.
Each child’s adoption story is woven into the fabric of who we are as an organization.
It is so rewarding to see how open adoptions connect and bond adoptive families and birth parents. If you are an expectant mother who is experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, we are happy to talk to you about how we can help place your baby into a loving adoptive home.
We have been helping families since 1986 and look forward to serving many others — during National Adoption Month and beyond. We celebrate adoption — each and every one! We take a kind, caring, and compassionate approach to finding families for children and youth in the United States.
If you are a potential adoptive family and want to find out details about our process and how we can help make your dreams of parenthood a reality, contact our experienced team of adoption coordinators at Lifetime Adoption today. We look forward to discussing the adoption processes with you.
Founder of Lifetime Adoption, adoptive mom, adoption expert, and Certified Open Adoption Practitioner (C.O.A.P).
Since 1986, adoption expert Mardie Caldwell has been dedicated to bringing couples and birth parents together in order to fulfill their dreams.
“Many years ago, I was also searching for a child to adopt. We didn’t know where or how to get started. Through research, determination, and a prayer, our dream of a family became reality. I started with a plan, a notebook, assistance from a caring adoption consultant and a lot of hard work; this was my family I was building. We had a few heartaches along the way, but the pain of not having children was worse!
Within weeks we had three different birth mothers choose us. We were overwhelmed and delighted. Many unsettling events would take place before our adoption would be finalized, many months later. Little did I know that God was training and aligning me for the adoption work I now do today. It is my goal to share with our families the methods and plans which succeed and do not succeed. I believe adoption should be affordable and can be a wonderful “pregnancy” for the adoptive couple.
I have also been on both sides of infertility with the loss of seven pregnancies and then conceiving by new technology, giving birth to a healthy daughter. I have experienced first-hand the emotional pain of infertility and believe my experience allows me to serve your needs better.
It is my hope that for you, the prospective parents, your desire for a child will be fulfilled soon.”
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