Trust is the initial component that each party must develop towards the other; trust you will care for my birth child—trust you will respect my ability to care for your birth child. Embracing trust means you acknowledge the other is doing their best at that point in time.

Boundaries will form, spoken or written, regarding the comfort level of each party to involve the other in aspects of their life.

Primary relationships exist between each birth parent, the adoptive parent(s) and the child. It is best to respect these primary relationships and allow them to dictate the direction and future of other relationship building with extended family.

It is important to remember that all parties need to be satisfied with the degree of openness. Adoptive parents are encouraged to facilitate involvement of their child in the lifelong process of adoption. This could be anything from coloring a picture, writing a letter, to a future meeting with birth family. The child’s best interest and wishes about contact and communication should be adhered to.

OPENNESS
IN ADOPTION

PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE

OPENNESS IN ADOPTION allows birth and adoptive families to mutually create their own unique adoption plan.

OPENNESS allows communication between birth and adoptive parents. This communication can begin before the child is born, in order to facilitate a smooth transition for all parties.

OPENNESS IN ADOPTION is practiced in degrees. It is not all or nothing, rather an opportunity to grow.

OPENNESS IN ADOPTION allows for birth and adoptive families to begin to develop a relationship that may last a life time. As in any relationship, there are periods of change.