Thinking about “giving a toddler up” for adoption is one of the hardest things a mother can do, and there are many reasons why you may feel like this is the best option. You’re likely feeling the pressures of parenthood, and unsure of where to turn to during this difficult time. You might also feel that parenthood isn’t as financially feasible as you would have hoped, and you may be struggling to make ends meet and give your child the life you know they deserve. But while you’re contemplating this difficult choice, it’s important that you understand that turning to adoption doesn’t mean that you’re “giving up” on your child or that you’re “giving them away.” As a struggling parent, it takes courage to know when you need help. That’s why adoption isn’t “giving up;” it’s giving your child the life you’ve always wanted to.
We want you to know that help is still available when you’re thinking about placing a toddler up for adoption. Remember, no matter how difficult your situation gets, adoption is always an option for you.
Is Adoption Right for You?
Some women know that adoption is the right choice for them as soon as they find out they’re pregnant. For others, it can take some time to come to a decision.
But if you’re considering “giving up your toddler” for adoption, ask yourself if this is something you really want to pursue. Once you’ve terminated your parental rights, you won’t be able to get your child back, and they’ll be raised by their new family permanently. If you still believe that parenting is the right choice for you, but you’re struggling in your role as a mother, help is available for you. A trusted counselor, women’s and children services, and your local Department of Children and Family office are all resources you can reach out to during this difficult time.
If you truly believe that adoption is the right choice for your child, there are options available for putting a toddler up for adoption.
Placing a Child for Adoption with an Adoption Agency
Even though most adoption agencies primarily work with infants and newborns, there are still options for placing your toddler for adoption. Like every woman who is considering adoption, you’ll be able to decide every part of the adoption process, right down to the last detail. When you make your adoption plan with an infant adoption agency, you’ll be able to deicide:
- The adoptive parents for your child. You can start thinking about where their new home should be, what kind of education you want them to have, how many siblings they should grow up with, and more. You can look at adoptive family profiles based on these preferences and choose the one that you think is best for your son or daughter.
- What kind of relationship you want to have with your child after the adoption. Most women considering an adoption today choose to have an open relationship with their child. With an open adoption, you can still have some form of communication with your child even if you don’t feel comfortable sharing everything about yourself.
- What kind of support you want. Should you need it, your adoption specialist will be able to connect you to 24/7 counseling and educational resources during the adoption.
As you’re looking to place a toddler up for adoption, you should know that you’re entitled to the same services as every woman considering adoption for her child. It’s important that you research reliable and trusted adoption agencies before you pick one that’s right for you.
Unique Challenges of Placing a Toddler for Adoption
While the adoption process is similar, placing a toddler for adoption and placing a newborn for adoption will have different sets of challenges. Here are some of the more challenging things that come with putting a toddler up for adoption:
- Adjusting to life without your child won’t be easy. And it won’t be easy for your child to get used to living with a new family, either. You’ll need to make sure that you have all the counseling, educational resources, and help you need to make this transition as seamless as possible.
- When you are looking into information about putting up your toddler for adoption, it may be harder for you to find adoptive families for your toddler. Most families that work with an infant adoption agency are primarily looking for newborns. Many families that are interested in adopting older children do so through foster care or the state. Choosing a large, national adoption agency with many waiting families will improve your chances of finding the perfect parents for your child.
- Many toddlers that are placed for adoption are part of a sibling group. It’s highly recommended to keep siblings together during an adoption, but it may be harder to find adoptive families that are looking to adopt sibling sets at an infant adoption agency.
These facts aren’t meant to dissuade you from choosing adoption for your toddler. With that being said, it’s important to consider all of the facts when “giving up a toddler” for adoption. If you’re unsure of where to turn, you can always reach out to an adoption agency for help.
Considering adoption for your toddler will be one of the hardest decisions that you’ll ever have to make. But if you think that it might be the best option for you, please reach out to an adoption specialist for free information. We can get you the help you need if you’re a mother looking to “give up a toddler” for adoption.