You’ve probably heard that “it takes a village” to raise a child. It can also take a village to successfully navigate the adoption process.
The adoption journey can be challenging for prospective birth parents. It’s unlike anything else we go through in life. There’s a lot required of you, and the complex emotions of the process can be challenging. Going down this path without an adoption process support team can make all of it harder.
That’s why we have created this guide for anyone considering adoption. One key piece of your plan should be building an adoption process support team, and we’re going to help you do it.
This guide will explain who could be involved in your adoption — from family, to friend and professionals — as well as how to ask people to join your support team.
The People Involved in Your Adoption
Your adoption process support team will be made up of personal connections and professionals. The adoption process is an emotional journey, but it’s also a legal and medical process. Each aspect of the process requires specialized support.
Here’s what to expect when it comes to the different pieces of your adoption support team:
The Parents: The prospective birth parents are the center of the process. When you’re a prospective birth parent, you’re in charge of how the process goes. If the father of the baby is also involved in the adoption plan, then the two of you can make these important choices together.
Family and Friends: Have you told your family and friends about your plan to place your baby for adoption? This conversation can be challenging. But, once you’ve had it, supportive family and friends can play an important role offering emotional encouragement as a part of your adoption process support team.
Other personal connections, like your pastor, priest or rabbi, could be important pieces of your support team, too.
Your Adoption Agency: Working with the right adoption agency can make or break your experience with the whole process. Agencies are the adoption experts that make sure you follow all the right steps, meet all the requirements, receive all the support your deserve and successfully complete your placement.
Attorneys, Medical Professionals and Counselors: Through your agency, you’ll be connected with a variety of other important professionals, like your adoption attorney and counselors. You can choose your medical office for prenatal care, labor and delivery on your own or with the help of your agency.
Also, keep in mind that adoption is always free to prospective birth parents. Attorney fees, agency fees and medical costs will all be covered by adoption financial assistance, so you don’t need to worry about that while you build your adoption process support team.
How to Build an Adoption Process Support Team
Now that you know who will be involved in your adoption process support team, let’s go through the steps of how you actually build your team:
Step 1: Choose adoption.
This seems obvious, right? We can’t skip this step, though, because it is such a life-changing decision. Take the time to be sure adoption is the right choice for you before moving on.
Step 2: Choose an agency.
Your agency is the foundation of your adoption process support team. There are several types of adoption agencies you can choose from, like a smaller, local agency or a larger, national agency. Many prospective birth mothers find that national adoption agencies offer more comprehensive adoption services and provide a wider variety of adoptive family profiles to choose from.
If you’d like to learn more about finding the right agency for your adoption support team, you can read our complete guide on the topic.
Step 3: Speak with family and friends.
In truth, steps two and three could be switched. It’s really up to you. Whenever you feel comfortable, reach out to people you love and trust — people who always make you feel safe and supported. Tell them about your adoption plan, and ask them to be there for you to provide support.
Most people don’t know a lot about adoption, so be prepared to explain the process and the benefits of adoption.
Step 4: Reach out when you need help.
Once you’ve put your team together, don’t be shy about asking for help. These people are here for you. You’re not a burden when you need assistance. On the contrary, the people on your adoption process support team will be eager to answer your calls and do what they can for you during this journey.
Contact a Professional Today
Ready to get started building your adoption process support team? Still have questions about the adoption process? Either way, speaking with a professional can bring clarity to your situation. Contact us if you’d like to be connected with a helpful adoption professional.