The Holiday Season at Act of Love Adoptions was a true blessing and a pleasant reminder of the children that are so loved by birth parents, adoptive parents and the staff at Act of Love. It is also a time that the agency receives many Holiday wishes, cards and photos. (We love seeing the photos of all of your families and watching the children grow!)

Over the Holiday, Act of Love had several babies born that now have two families to love them unconditionally. Not only are they blessed with an adoptive family that will give them a permanent and loving home, but they have their birth family that will always cherish and love them, too.

Having been in business for over twenty years, the exchanges between birth families and adoptive families is truly amazing around the Holidays. The staff is in a non-stop flurry of receiving packages and processing them to get back out the door in time for the Holidays! The love that is shown between birth families and adoptive families all in the name of children is evident in the exchanges of photos, letters, cards and gifts.

All the joy and love in the exchanges is a tribute to the success of open adoptions! Open adoptions and post-adoption contact provide a healthy avenue in which birth families, adoptive families and children can stay connected. The post-adoption contact varies from e-mails, letters & pictures exchanged through the agency and sometimes Skype or in-person visits. Each post-adoption plan is created to fit the needs of those involved with the adoption and post-adoption contact.

Through counseling and staff support birth parents and adoptive families are able to compose a plan for post-adoption contact that works for them. The agency staff helps to support the growth of the relationship and provide structure and support for the relationship to continue. Some choose to exchange information through the agency, while others prefer direct contact. The relationships change as the child grows and the needs of the child are met. Establishing a healthy relationship with boundaries and respect is essential in being able to maintain the relationship to being in the best interest of the child.

If you are interested in finding out more about open adoption and post-adoption exchanges, contact a professional staff member at Act of Love. Birth Parents can call 1-800-835-6360, text to 801-450-0094 or email to actofloveadoptions@yahoo.com. Adoptive Parents call 1-800-767-7740 or 801-572-1696.

Act of Love wishes all a Happy New Year and applauds you all for the relationships you have created and love you have shown for your children.