Month: September 2019

I think adoption is the right option for me—where do I start?

There are numerous questions that an expectant mother may have about adoption.

Where do you start? How do you tell your family about an unexpected pregnancy? What are the first steps to take in the adoption process?

Don’t worry, in this article; you will learn all about the adoption first steps in Texas so you can start the adoption process!

Adoption First Steps in Texas

1. Choose an Adoption Center

Partnering with an adoption center is sometimes one of the best options for an expectant mother that does not know much about the adoption process.

A reliable adoption center is an unbiased partner that provides expectant mothers with the knowledge to make an educated decision about adoption. After all, there are adoption alternatives that are good for the mother and child.

Nonetheless, adoption centers provide invaluable emotional support and other services like financial support or legal advice.

Texas Adoption Center, for example, is a leading domestic infant adoption agency in Texas. Ultimately, they are dedicated to your happiness and wellbeing and want you to feel confident, appreciated, respected, and fully taken care of during this process.

They won’t just help you through the adoption process; they will personally help you decide what you want to do with an unexpected pregnancy. Contact Texas Adoption Center for more information about their services.

2. Select the Type of Adoption

There are a few different kinds of adoption to consider. To determine what type of adoption is best for you, there are a few questions you can ask yourself.

Firstly, do you personally know anyone who would like to adopt your baby? If not, do you want to have communication with the adoptive parents?

Domestic infant adoption is when a birth mother voluntarily places her baby for adoption with a family of her choosing. You can do this through an agency, an attorney, a facilitator, or independently. However, agencies typically offer more services and support than attornies or facilitators.

3. Choosing an Adoptive Family

After partnering with an adoption agency, the agency will explain the next steps of the adoption process.

One of the biggest steps in a domestic infant adoption is choosing an adoptive family. Each adoptive family will have an adoption profile. This profile will give an overview of each adoptive family: how they live, fun things they like to do, and what their daily lives are like. You will have the opportunity to review select profiles and then choose a family for your baby.

You also have the option of participating in a closed adoption or an open one. In a closed adoption, you don’t meet the adoptive parents. However, in an open or semi-open adoption, you can meet the family of your choosing and even get to know them.

You have the opportunity to make these decisions with the support of the agency you choose.

Talk to a Professional

Texas Adoption Center is a nonprofit adoption agency that offers services to adoptive families and birth parents alike. They are down to earth and personable, while still being modern and professional.

In addition, Texas Adoption Center’s team provides many services to help you through the process! Their personalized matching services will assist you in finding the perfect home for your baby.

If you already know someone who would like to adopt your baby, Texas Adoption Center can create an adoption plan customized to your needs. Lastly, they provide post-placement supervision services once the adoption process is finalized so you can rest assured your baby is living a happy, loved life.

For more information about how Texas Adoption Center can help you, call them today at (512) 893-7943.

I need more information about adoption! Where do I go?

Whether you are a birth parent or an adoptive family, getting some advice about the adoption process can be helpful!

A domestic adoption blog is a great tool to help you learn more about the adoption process, help you make decisions regarding adoption, and assist in recovery after the adoption process is complete! Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best domestic adoption blogs to help you find the information you need.

Top Domestic Adoption Blogs

1. Texas Adoption Center

Texas Adoption Center is a local Texas adoption agency. Their domestic adoption blog contains articles for birth mothers and adoptive families alike. Furthermore, these articles contain positive, down-to-earth information about the adoption process, practical advice for birth mothers, and more.

If you are pregnant and are simply not sure what to do next, Texas Adoption Center’s blog can even help you decide which option is best for you, explain how to tell your family about an unexpected pregnancy, and much more! If you are looking to adopt, Texas Adoption Center explains the adoption process and then helps you get started.

To learn more about adoption, the joy it can bring, and much more, check out their blog below!

Target audience: birth parents & adoptive parents

Blog: texasadoptioncenter.org/blog/

2. Natalie Kristeen

Natalie Kristeen has practical advice for people who are thinking about adoption, have already begun the process, or have already adopted. She gives first-hand experiences about her adoptive children, the loss’ she has experienced, and her experience with domestic infant adoption.

Target audience: adoptive parents

Blog: nataliekristeen.com/blog

3. Baby Darling

Baby Darling is a unique blog written by a birth father named Benjamin. His blog goes through his experience of placing his daughter for adoption. Through a series of articles, you are able to follow Benjamin’s heartfelt story as he experiences the ups and downs of placing an infant for domestic adoption. Overall, Baby Darling can help birth parents learn more about the adoption process, deal with the grief of placing a child with another family, and experience the touching account of this birth father’s story!

Target audience: birth parents

Blog: benjaminsbabydarling.blogspot.com/

4. Lifetime Adoption

Lifetime Adoption’s blog contains articles for both adoptive families and birth parents. These articles offer a wide range of advice for individuals undergoing the adoption process. However, their services are geared specifically towards those thinking of placing their baby in an open adoption, parents who want an open adoption, and couples who have turned to adoption as the result of infertility.

Target audience: birth parents & adoptive parents

Blog:

• Adoptive Families: blog.lifetimeadoption.com/adoptivefamilies
• birth parents: blog.lifetimeadoption.com/birth mothers

5. Infant Adoption Guide

This blog is your complete guide to the domestic infant adoption process. The articles are written by an adoptive father of two named Tim Elder who shares his personal experiences about the adoption process. Additionally, the writer provides practical resources to help parents adopt in a faster, cheaper, less stressful way. This practical guide to domestic adoption will surely assist you in the adoption process!

Target audience: adoptive parents

Blog: infantadoptionguide.com/blog/

Talk to a Professional

If you would like more information about the adoption process, contact Texas Adoption Agency today!

Their team of qualified experts is committed to helping expectant mothers find the right solution for their unique situation. They can help you decide which option is best for you: should you raise the baby or place him/her for adoption?

Additionally, Texas Adoption Center works closely with adoptive families across the United States to guide them through the adoption process. If you are considering adoption, Texas Adoption Center’s modern, personal approach is sure to help you through the adoption journey.

Call Texas Adoption Center to learn more about how they can help you at (512) 893-7943!

What are appropriate birth mother gifts?

Most adoptive families are matched with an expectant mother a few weeks to months before the baby’s birth. In an open adoption, if the birth mother chooses to meet you, you may want to give her a gift to express your sincere appreciation for the wonderful gift of choosing to place her baby with you.

But when should you give the gift? You may decide to give a gift when you first meet the birth mother, at the hospital after she gives birth, or you could send her a gift at a later time. Every circumstance is different. However, many lawyers advise waiting to give a gift until after the birth mother has signed the papers at the hospital and everything is finalized.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of the most heartfelt birth mother gifts to give at the hospital.

What Gift Should You Give a Birthmother at the Hospital?

Before the due date arrives, consider there thoughtful birth mother gifts to show your appreciation!

Locket

First on our list of birth mother gifts is a locket. Nothing is more heartfelt than a personalized gift! If you get the chance, take a picture of the newborn at the hospital and place the picture in a locket. This way, the birth mother can carry a little piece of the baby with her.

Recordable Book

While you won’t be giving the recordable book to the birth mother, it is still a heartfelt gift she is sure to love. Basically, you can record the birth mother’s voice so the baby can hear it. This is a great way to allow the birth mother to feel connected with the child.

Birthstone Ring

A ring with the baby’s birthstone is a perfect gift because it’s personalized and subtle. Many birth mothers don’t want a flashy gift that will prompt people to ask questions. Rather, a birthstone ring can pose as a personal reminder to the birth mother.

Recovery Basket

After giving birth, a woman will have to recover physically. A birth mother who placed her baby for adoption will likely have to recover emotionally as well. In the basket, you may consider putting in some things that would allow her to pamper herself while she is recovering, such as chocolates, bath bombs, lotions, and other items.

Matching Bracelets

If you have had the chance to get to know the birth mother, you might consider giving a respective gift. Buy three matching bracelets: one for you, one for the birth mother, and one for baby. This gift will show the birth mother the special connection the three of you have.

Stuffed Animal

When you buy a stuffed animal for your baby, also buy a matching one for the birth mother. During the recovery time, the birth mother will have a comforting gift that will surely remind her of the baby. You can even personalize this gift even more and buy the birth mother’s favorite animal.

Haven’t Started the Adoption Process?

Are you considering growing your family through adoption? Consider beginning your adoption journey with Texas Adoption Center!
Texas Adoption Center is a nonprofit adoption facility in Texas. They provide a modern, personalized experience for adoptive families.

The adoption process can be a bit overwhelming! However, it can be done successfully with the help of a knowledgable adoption specialist from Texas Adoption Center!

Firstly, complete your home study and create an adoption profile. Then, partner with the adoption center to find the perfect child to bring into your home.

The center facilitates all communication between the birth mother and the adoptive family to ensure the best possible outcomes for all!

Don’t wait another moment. Fulfill your dreams of a growing family with Texas Adoption Center! Call the Center at (844) 893-7943 to start the process or talk with a trained adoption specialist.

What happens when a birth mom has adoption regrets?

It is completely normal for a birth mother to question her decision. However, there are several preventative measures to make sure that the birth mother is prepared when the time comes to place her baby for adoption.

Read more to find out what an expecting mother can do to prepare herself for the adoption.

What Happens When a Birth Mother Has Adoption Regrets?

Adoption Planning

First and foremost, adoption planning is an important step in the adoption process. During this process, expectant mothers are not just planning for the adoption! The expectant mother also considers all options to determine if there’s a more appropriate solution for her situation.

Things she should consider include:

• Can I parent the baby myself?
• Is a relative willing to take parental rights?
• Am I able to financially support the child?

In any case, an expectant mother may determine that adoption is right for her and proceed with adoption planning. The expectant mother will choose an adoption type, the family, and more! It is important to note that an adoption plan is flexible and will likely change as needed.

Ultimately, the adoption planning is meant to properly prepare an expectant mother for the adoption with necessary information and options.

Birth Mother Rights

Basically, adoption laws vary widely by state. For this reason, it is important to research your state’s adoption laws. To make things easier, we will discuss Texas adoption law to illustrate what an expectant mother in Texas can expect. In addition, we will clarify why the adoption planning process is so important.

Texas adoption law requires the birth mother to maintain parental rights for at least 48 hours. During this time, the birth mother has complete parental rights over the child. After 48 hours, the birth mother is allowed to place her baby for adoption.

To complete the adoption, a birth mother signs a ‘relinquishment of parental rights’ document. This document releases birth mothers of all parental duties to the child. Take note that adoptions in Texas can’t be reversed.

In this case, the adoption planning process is important because it can’t be undone! Working together with an adoption specialist to walk through all of your options and create an adoption plan⁠—if it is the right option for you!⁠

Talk to a Professional

At the end of the day, post-adoption nerves are completely normal! Even so, a well thought out adoption plan and a strong understanding of your rights as a birth mother can ease nerves.

Texas Adoption Center is a Texas adoption agency that works with pregnant women considering adoption. The adoption center provides an array of valuable services to guide expectant through the adoption process. Notably, their services include financial support, transportation assistance, legal consultations, and more.

In addition, Texas Adoption Center provides lifelong counseling to help birth mothers come have peace of mind.

All in all, Texas Adoption Center understands the hardships that a birth mother faces and works relentlessly with expectant mothers to determine if adoption is appropriate for them. Additionally, the adoption center takes the appropriate steps to help you confidently make an adoption plan!

Learn more about Texas Adoption Center and their services! Contact a Texas Adoption Center adoption specialist today at 512.893.7943 or text 361.461.3742.