Open adoption allows birth parents and adoptive families to have ongoing contact and share information throughout the child’s life. This approach creates transparency and connection that benefits everyone involved.

The Center for Scholars & Storytellers reports that nearly 140,000 kids are adopted by American families annually. As adoptions increase, the landscape is changing. Where secrecy once ruled, adoption transparency now leads the way.

Families are discovering that openness creates stronger bonds rather than confusion. Modern open adoptions build trust between all parties. They also help kids understand their complete story from day one.

Below is an open adoption guide that gives you all the insights you need as a prospective parent.

What Is Meant By Open Adoption?

Open adoption means birth parents and adoptive families share contact and information. This contact can range from occasional letters to regular visits. Each family decides what works best for their situation.

Unlike closed adoptions from the past, open adoption embraces transparency. According to FindLaw, 95% of infant adoptions are open adoptions. Birth parents meet adoptive families before placement and stay in touch afterward.

How Do You Do an Open Adoption?

Starting an open adoption needs careful planning and communication. The adoption processfor open adoption follows these steps:

Step 1: Everyone Decides What They Want

First, everyone involved determines what they want from the relationship. The prospective birth mother decides the type and amount of contact she’s comfortable with. It can range from periodic letters and photos to phone calls or visits.

Adoptive families also consider their openness to communication. This mutual agreement ensures everyone’s expectations are aligned from the start.

Step 2: The Birth Mother Chooses the Adoptive Family

Once a birth mother states her wishes for openness, she reviews profiles of adoptive families who are comfortable with a similar type of relationship. She selects the family she feels the strongest connection with. This matching process ensures a good fit for everyone.

Step 3: Build the Relationship Before the Baby Is Born

After the match, the parties start building their relationship through pre-placement contact. The adoption specialist will arrange a first phone call to help everyone get comfortable.

If everyone agrees, they may exchange emails or phone numbers to communicate directly before the birth. This action builds the foundation of trust and respect for the ongoing birth parents’ relationship.

Step 4: The Hospital Plan and First In-Person Meeting

The birth mother creates a hospital plan detailing her delivery preferences. It outlines how much time she wants to spend with the adoptive family, and is often the first in-person meeting.

Step 5: Follow the Post-Adoption Contact Agreement

After finalizing the adoption, the relationship continues based on a Post-Adoption Contact Agreement (PACA). This agreement outlines the promised contact, which includes:

• Texts
• Video calls
• Visits as agreed upon
• Sending updates through photos and letters

This ongoing adoption transparency benefits the child most of all. It allows them to grow up with a clear understanding of their identity.

Benefits of Open Adoption for Everyone

Children, birth parents, and adoptive families all gain from open adoption. Here is how:

• Children have ongoing relationships with their birth families
• Children can build their identity well
• Birth parents get a continued connection with their children
• Adoptive families get a support network

The adoption benefits in Florida include strong legal protections for all parties. The state’s adoption laws provide clear guidelines while allowing flexibility in contact arrangements.

What Are the Risks of Open Adoption?

While there are many adoption benefits, families should also know about the challenges. Some common concerns are:

• Birth parents may interfere with your parenting
• Children can become confused about their origins
• Disagreements on frequency or type of contact.
• Unclear boundaries if expectations are not well-communicated
• Emotional challenges may arise from ongoing contact, such as jealousy

As a prospective parent, you may worry about these potential challenges. However, clear communication and professional guidance can help you manage the risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Go Back on An Open Adoption?

While the adoption is legally binding, open adoption agreements aren’t legally enforceable unless you include them in the final adoption order. Once the birth parent signs the consent and the court approves it, an open adoption becomes irrevocable. This means the adoptive parents have full legal rights.

Florida adoption law often supports the finality of the adoption process. However, you can challenge the adoption if you can prove there was fraud or duress.

At What Age Can an Adopted Child Meet Their Birth Parents?

In open adoption, children often know their birth parents from birth. There’s no specific age requirement since contact happens throughout childhood.

Both families will decide together when their child is ready for different types of contact. Most children in open adoptions grow up knowing their birth families naturally.

If you had not introduced the birth parents formally, ensure you prepare your child emotionally. This measure ensures a healthy and positive introduction, reducing confusion.

What Age Is Hardest to Adopt?

Children over age eight are the hardest to adopt. Many older children waiting for adoption are part of sibling groups. Also, they may have specific emotional needs, so your family should be prepared for this process.

However, infant open adoption doesn’t face the same challenges. Birth parents placing infants have many adoptive families to choose from. The adoption process for infants often moves more quickly than that of older children.

When adopting, there is also no huge difference between adopting boys or girls. Both boys and girls find loving homes through adoption.

Choose the Right Partner for Your Open Adoption Journey

Open adoption is a transparent and loving approach to adoption. It connects birth parents with adoptive families through ongoing contact. This openness and collaboration benefit everyone involved.

At Heart of Adoptions, Inc., we’ve spent over 20 years creating families through compassionate open adoption services. Founded by adoption attorney Jeanne T. Tate, we’ve championed an open adoption where your hopes, your boundaries, and your child’s future are at the heart of every decision. From consultation to post-placement support, we ensure your adoption experience exceeds expectations.

Contact us today to schedule your confidential consultation with Florida’s most trusted adoption professionals.