Are there misconceptions surrounding adoption?  Could misconceptions cause fear and hesitation for a birth parent or an adoptive family? A Act of Love Adoptions would like to help you take a look at some of the possible misconceptions and shed light on these erroneous beliefs.

Does placing a baby for adoption mean the birth parent does not love his or her child? Placing a baby for adoption can be one of the hardest things any parent can do. It is also an act of supreme love – It can mean putting the baby’s needs before your own.  Sacrificing your desires for the sake of your child’s is a concrete way of showing one’s love.  One can do this by choosing adoptive parents who have the means to provide for a child’s financial, emotional and psychological needs.

Can people think poorly of a birth parent who places”his or her child for adoption? Is it true that there is a stigma placed on unplanned or unintended pregnancies and subsequent adoptions.  The saying goes, people who love and care for you will understand that the decision to “place” a baby for adoption is a courageous and selfless thing to do.  The definition of “placed” shows that a birth parent who makes the decision to “place”his or her child for adoption is making an educated and deliberate decision through love.   “Placed” is defined as “to direct to a desired spot”.  A Act of Love Adoptions provides the opportunity for birth parents to direct their adoption plan.

Is it possible that a birth parent could lose contact with his or her child after the adoption? In an open adoption with A Act of Love Adoptions, there is a plan for post adoption contact.  A Act of Love Adoptions and other adoption agencies will respect the decision a birth parent makes as to the level of contact they want after the placement.  Birth parents may ask for  regular updates and photos about the child or  “closer contact,” such as  phone calls, emails and visits. Adoptive parents are usually eager to fulfill the contact agreement so long as contact remains in the best interests of the child.

Will a child grow-up to resent his or her birth parents if they place the child for adoption? Through the education and counseling that is offered by A Act of Love Adoptions, adoptive families are given tools and information so that they are prepared to answer any questions the child may have.  As part of the adoption process, birth parents can also give information of their choice that adoptive parents may later share with the child.  Because of circumstances, birth parents may not be in a position to parent their child.  They decide to unselfishly place their child for adoption because they can not provide the kind of life that they want for their child.   The adoptive family, with the help of adoption professionals, can help the child to work through any questions they may have.

Is adoption costly?  While it is true that an adoptive family will need to show they have the means to raise a child, the more important requirement is how ready they are to nurture and care for a child. According to statistics, the costs involved in adoption are often just as much as giving birth.  Birth parent services at A Act of Love Adoptions may include:  medical, housing, living expenses and legal service.  These costs could be in addition to A Act of Love Adoptions base fees.  Adoption costs with A Act of Love Adoptions can vary depending on many different circumstances which may include housing, medical, living expenses and legal services. Resources to help subsidize adoption may include:  the Federal Adoption Tax Credit, grants, health insurance, military and corporate benefits.

Will adopted children feel loved and accepted? There are children that are born from the womb and children born of the heart.  Adoptive parents can have the capacity to love an adopted child as much as they would a biological child born to them.  A Act of Love Adoptions has many adoptive families that continue to correspond with the agency and their birth parents.  A Act of Love Adoptions has watched the success of adoption since 1993 and the happy adopted children and families as they grow-up.

 Are adopted children as emotionally adjusted as biological children?  According to surveys, adopted children are as adjusted and emotionally healthy as biological children. This is particularly true of infant adoptions.  Adoptive parents have the opportunity to research information about raising adopted children.  There is so much offered with adoption professionals and literature.  Some of the most successful people in our society are individuals who were  adopted.

Does the home have to be perfect?  Home studies are required to be conducted to approve adoptive families to adopt children.  Home studies are not about perfection, but about a loving, safe, financially stable, comfortable home for the child.    Home studies assess the home and whether the adoptive family is prepared to provide love and support that is needed for a child.