Seeing that positive pregnancy test can be exciting…unless it isn’t. Maybe you feel like you’re too young to be a mom, are in the middle of college, or already have kids and just can’t handle another mouth to feed. Whatever is stressing you out about pregnancy and raising a child, there are really good reasons to think about adoption, and creating an adoption plan.
If you’ve never heard the term “adoption plan,” it means the process of placing a baby up for adoption. It isn’t “giving my baby away.” It’s a well thought-out plan for making sure you and baby both have the best chance at life.
If any of these 5 issues are making it hard for you to imagine taking on the responsibility of a child, you may want to think about adoption:
- You’re in School
Education is so important these days. Competition for jobs is fiercer than ever. Getting pregnant right in the middle of college would really make it hard to graduate and then get a good job. Modern adoption can be a great solution for women in college or grad school. They want to give their baby a great childhood, but still follow through on their dreams of an advanced degree.
- Pregnant and Homeless
If you don’t have a safe, stable place to live, raising a baby is definitely going to be a problem. Safe, reliable shelter is one of our most basic needs. If you can’t provide that for your child, it may be worth it to think about adoption. Hopeful adoptive families live in safe neighborhoods with great schools. If you’re not able to give your baby the kind of environment that another family could, adoption is a responsible decision.
- No Support from Your Parents
When you’re pregnant, support from family probably doesn’t seem like a big deal. But as soon as your baby is born, keeping you up all night and costing lots of money, a little help from your parents will seem like a blessing. Talk to a few parents who don’t have family around to help. You’ll discover that a grandparent willing to take the baby for a few hours can mean the difference between keeping a hold on sanity and literally losing your mind. The old saying “it takes a village to raise a child” is so true.
- You’re in an Abusive Relationship
An abusive situation is no place for a child. Physical, emotional, and verbal cruelty aren’t a part of a healthy upbringing. If you find yourself in a situation like this and don’t feel like you can escape, the responsible choice is adoption. Abuse during childhood has lasting side effects that cause problems the rest of a child’s life. At all costs, avoid raising children in an abusive environment.
- Trouble With the Law
If jail time is something you are worried about, it might make sense to take a look at adoption for your baby. That way, you’re able to have control over your child’s future before your parental rights are taken away from you. Choosing an adoptive couple for your baby is a wonderful way to show your love.
You might feel overwhelmed if you’ve just started to think about making an adoption plan. Lifetime has compassionate and qualified adoption coordinators available to guide you through every step of considering and creating an adoption plan for your child.
Call Lifetime Adoption at 1-800-923-6784 to talk with someone who can help you sort through these important issues, and make the decision that’s best for you.
As Vice President of Lifetime Adoption, Heather Featherston holds an MBA and is passionate about working with those facing adoption, pregnancy, and parenting issues. Heather has conducted training for birth parent advocates, spoken to professional groups, and has appeared on television and radio to discuss the multiple aspects of adoption. She has provided one-on-one support to women and hopeful adoptive parents working through adoption decisions.
Since 2002, she has been helping pregnant women and others in crisis to learn more about adoption. Heather also trains and speaks nationwide to pregnancy clinics to effectively meet the needs of women who want to explore adoption for their child. Today, she continues to address the concerns women have about adoption and supports the needs of women who choose adoption for their child.
As a published author of the book Called to Adoption, Featherston loves to see God’s hand at work every day as she helps children and families come together through adoption.
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