Open Adoption with Your Child in North Carolina

What does open adoption mean in North Carolina? Simply put, open adoption in North Carolina is any adoption in which a birth mother has direct contact with her child throughout his or her upbringing.

At the same time, every open adoption looks different. Some birth mothers talk to their children over the phone, some birth mothers see their children during visits, and some birth mothers connect with their children through letters, gifts, and pictures. Prospective birth mothers can also consider alternatives to open adoption, such as semi-open adoption or closed adoption.

No matter what type of post-placement relationship a prospective birth mother wants to have with her child, the decision is hers alone and will be made while she is creating her adoption plan and choosing an adoptive family for her baby.

What is Open Adoption in North Carolina?

There are many different types of open adoptions; therefore, it is almost impossible to define open adoption in North Carolina. However, the general open adoption definition in North Carolina is any post-adoption relationship between a birth mother and her adopted child in which they have direct contact, regardless of communication frequency or communication type. Open adoption stories in North Carolina include birth mothers who see their child annually, talk to their child over the phone on holidays, receive updates semi-annually from her child’s adoptive parents, send their child gifts or letters, and more.

Still, there is no exact definition of open adoption in North Carolina — because every open adoption situation is different based on the desires of the parties involved.

What is Closed Adoption in North Carolina?

A closed adoption occurs when the post-placement agreement set forth during the adoption process states that there is to be no contact between a birth mother and her child during the child’s upbringing. A closed adoption may be suitable for a woman who has her reasons for not wanting contact with her child while he or she is growing up. Of course, once the adopted child turns 18, that child can seek out his or her birth mother and commence contact if the birth mother agrees to it, as well.

Closed adoptions used to be a popular post-placement agreement choice, as there was much shame carried with an adoption decision in the past. However, as society has evolved to realize how beautiful and selfless adoption can really be, closed adoptions are no longer as popular. Now, open adoption is not only the most popular option for adoption but also holds the most benefits to all parties involved. Experts in the adoption field encourage prospective birth mothers to choose an open adoption, when it fits for them, due to the benefits of this direct relationship throughout the child’s upbringing.

What is Semi-Open Adoption in North Carolina?

Semi-open adoption in North Carolina offers a happy medium between an open adoption and a closed adoption. In a semi-open adoption, a birth mother exchanges letters, pictures, gifts and more with her child and his or her adoptive parents through the mediation of their adoption agency. In a semi-open adoption, the adoption agency holds the parties’ private information safe,  so that there can be no direct contact between a birth mother, the adoptive parents, and her birth child. A semi-open adoption is a great way for a prospective birth mother to remain present in her child’s life in some capacity without compromising her privacy boundaries.

The Benefits of Open Adoption in North Carolina

There are many benefits to choosing an open adoption in North Carolina for every member of the adoption triad. Remember, the adoption triad includes the birth mother, the adoptive parents, and the child who was placed for adoption.

A birth mother is blessed with the gift of watching her child grow up in a happy and healthy environment that she personally chose for him or her. Her post-placement healing process can be made much easier as her mind is put to rest regarding the advantages of her adoption decision for her child. Adoptive parents have the benefit of keeping their adoption conversations with their child open and not having to fabricate in areas where they don’t have answers. The child who was placed for adoption is able to experience love from not only his or her adoptive parents but also his or her birth mother and potentially even some of his or her birth family.

As you can see, open adoption in North Carolina holds many benefits for all members of the adoption triad, which is why it is the preferred post-placement relationship by experts in the adoption field.

If you are a woman considering open adoption in North Carolina, please fill out this contact form. An adoption professional will reach out to you and answer any questions you have regarding post-placement agreements and types of relationship in adoption.

Open adoption stories in North Carolina include many happy birth mothers, adoptive parents, and adopted children. But, while open adoption in North Carolina is the recommended post-placement relationship for a prospective birth mother to choose, every situation is different. Closed adoption and semi-open adoption are always options for any prospective birth mother in North Carolina, as well.

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