There is no one “right” or “wrong” reason to place your child for adoption.
Adoption is a beautiful and loving choice, and the reasons why each birth mom decides to place her baby are unique and special to each different mom, and situation.
You are not alone in this decision. Many people consider creating an adoption plan for their child. A recent survey by YouGov found that a quarter of Americans have a friend or family member that is adopted.
For whatever reason(s) you are considering adoption, trust that your instincts come from a loving place and that no one else needs to “approve” of your choice, but you.
Whatever you decide for your baby’s future will be the best decision; you are a great mom for trying to provide your baby with the best life possible. Below, we’ll look at eleven common reasons for placing a child with an adoptive family to help you decide if adoption is the right choice for you.
Common Reasons Birth Moms May Consider Adoption
1. Not Ready To Parent
Are you ready to be a parent? There is nothing wrong with answering “no” to this question.
Becoming a new parent can be scary, and not everyone is ready for this kind of life change. This is one of many reasons for placing a child with an adoptive family.
Deciding that you are not ready to parent does not make you a bad mom. The fact that you are considering the best option for you and your baby makes you a loving parent, even before your baby is born.
You want to be the best parent that you can be for your child, and you won’t be if you feel pressured to parent before it’s time. You should feel confident in your instincts; if this is your reason for considering adoption, rest assured, it’s a good one.
2. Lack of Support
The phrase “raising a child takes a village” is more true than you might think.
Though being a single parent can be a wonderful experience, having and raising a baby on your own can also be extremely difficult. Many times, the birth father is out of the picture. The family is far away. Friends are busy with their own lives.
Regardless of your situation, if you don’t feel you have the emotional, physical, and financial support of people in your life, parenting a child is going to be more difficult. This is why a lack of support is one reason to create an adoption plan for your child.
3. Financial Stress
Parenting can be a wonderful experience, and it can’t be measured in terms of money. We know that. You know that.
Even so, it’s important to recognize that being a parent is a huge financial undertaking. The USDA reported that the average family spends approximately $12,980 each year on a child.
As a mom, you want to give the best life possible to your child, and the ability to provide for your child is an important thing to consider. For some birth moms, this is not your first pregnancy or child. Considering the financial impact that raising another baby would have on your other children is also important.
According to national surveys, one of the most common reasons that families consider adoption is to help a child in need. Placing your child for adoption opens the door for the child to be well provided for.
4. Future Goals
One of the reasons why adoption is good is that it allows the birth mother to continue chasing the goals that matter to her. Only you know what your goals are for you and your baby’s future.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Being a parent and achieving your goals is definitely possible, but being a new parent can make these objectives hard to achieve. Thinking long term is very important.
To be the best parent possible (now and possibly in the future), you need to consider what you want in terms of your personal, career, and future goals. This is a big consideration that birth mothers take into account when deciding whether to pursue adoption.
5. Changing the Home Environment
Perhaps you are working towards goals in your career. Maybe you have a job that requires travel, or you have plans to move around a lot in the coming years. Whatever the reason, you know that you will not be in the same place for an extended period.
Studies do indicate that moving frequently takes a toll on the emotional health of children. Moving around with a child is not impossible, but it adds another layer of considerations to make. For some individuals, this is the reason for creating an adoption plan for your child.
6. Too Young
When examining the reasons to place your child with an adoptive family, your age plays a role. The choice to become a parent is a big one. Some may find that they are not prepared for this undertaking.
For example, pregnant teenagers may want to focus on completing their education without the added element of parenting. Making your education and development a priority sets you up for future success.
Young birth mothers sometimes choose adoption because they do not yet have the skills necessary to raise a child. If you feel that parenting is a journey you are not ready to embark on, adoption is an admirable choice.
7. Disapproval of Family
One of the reasons for creating an adoption plan for your child is that the birth mother feels those around her would disapprove. This situation is never easy, but adoption provides a confidential solution.
Legally, adoption proceedings are not open to the public. Federal law states that “the records of the adoption proceeding are sealed and may not be opened except upon a judicial finding of good cause, or in some states upon the mutual consent of all parties.”
In this case, adoption protects the mother from dealing with discouraging family members and ensures the child is placed with a loving family.
8. Examined Other Options
Only you know what’s best for you and your baby. For many women dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, examining the options makes the next steps clear. You may decide that parenting is not the right choice for you, and that terminating the pregnancy is not something you want to do.
After weighing the other options, adoption may emerge as the best course of action. Only you can make this decision.
9. Chance to Help Others
Another reason for creating an adoption plan: helping a family who can’t have children. In some situations, couples are unable to conceive children. So, they turn to adoption as a way to start a family. Approximately 81.5 million people in the U.S. have considered adopting a child.
Birth mothers can make a waiting family’s dream come true. Many amazing couples and individuals are looking to adopt! These families want nothing more than to welcome a child into their homes and lives. Giving a family the child they have been waiting for come true is one of the many reasons why adoption is a good thing.
10. Personal Health
Poor physical or mental health can impact your ability to parent. Some women find that they are not in the right condition to raise a child due to health issues.
If this is the case, placing the baby for adoption may be the best choice for you. Taking care of yourself is important for both you and your unborn child. Many adoption agencies offer financial assistance for the medical care of birth mothers. Additionally, an adoption specialist can connect you to a counselor or other professional to improve your mental well-being.
11. Better Opportunities for the Child
Some birth mothers feel that they cannot give the child what they deserve. You may believe that another family can provide a life for your child that you cannot. This is one of the most selfless reasons to place your child with an adoptive family.
Choosing to place the baby for adoption is a kind and courageous decision. You are placing the needs of your child above your own. In an open adoption, you can choose the adoptive family that you feel is right for your child.
The list above covers just some of the reasons for placing your child with an adoptive family. No matter what drives your decision, you have your child’s best interest at heart. The adoption process puts you in control of what happens at each step along the journey.
For more information or to speak to one of our Adoption Specialists, visit our website. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
