Open Adoption Facts in California
Open adoption in California can be an incredible experience for everyone involved, but there’s a lot you might not know about the process.
Whether you’ve adopted a child before or this is your first time researching information on open adoption in California, here’s what you need to know about this particular style of adoption.
Keep reading to learn more or contact us online to speak with an adoption specialist.
9 Open Adoption Facts in California You Need to Know
Are you considering an open adoption? Here’s what you need to know.
1. Open adoption is very common.
While adoption tended to be a hush-hush experience in the past, this is no longer the case.
Now, open adoption is actually the norm.
With an open adoption, everyone will have a chance to keep in touch and communicate. While you won’t be co-parenting and the adoptive parents will have full legal say over caring for the child, open adoption does mean that everyone will be able to visit, talk and share.
2. Everyone wins.
One of the biggest reasons choosing adoption is so difficult for birth parents is that it can sometimes feel like “goodbye.”
With open adoption, birth parents don’t have to say goodbye to their children.
Instead, they get the knowledge that they’ve chosen a kind and loving family for their baby.
Information on open adoption in California reveals that this type of adoption also benefits the adoptee. An adopted child may have a lot of questions, such as “where did I come from?” or “Why was I placed for adoption?”
With an open adoption, the adoptee will be able to ask these questions while building a relationship with their birth parents.
Even the adoptive parents will benefit from an open adoption. They’ll have the opportunity to grow their family by welcoming the birth parents into their lives. Additionally, adoptive parents will be able to share the joy of raising their child with the birth family.
3. Adoptees will know where they come from.
With a closed adoption, adoptees will lack the information they need to form a solid understanding of their own identity.
Open adoption removes that stigma.
With an open adoption, adoptees will not only know where they came from, but they’ll be able to more fully understand their heritage.
One of the most important facts about open adoption in California is that this style of adoption really benefits the adoptee when they’re ready to discover who they are.
4. You’ll get to ask questions.
One of the biggest reasons that open adoption is fantastic is that it allows people to ask questions. The adoptee can ask their birth parents questions, but the birth parents can ask questions, too.
Sharing open adoption facts in California between the birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptee mean that each person will have a more well-rounded understanding of the others in the triad.
5. You’ll have a chance to expand your family.
Open adoption means more than just welcoming a child into your family. It means welcoming their birth parents into your family, too.
When you experience open adoption with your child, you’ll have the unique opportunity to get to know their birth parents. This may even include building relationships with your child’s birth grandparents, aunts and uncles.
6. Adoptees can build a relationship with both of their families.
When you’re considering facts about open adoption in California, it’s vital to focus on the well-being of the adoptee.
When a child is adopted, they have two families. An open adoption gives them the chance to build a relationship with both.
While the child’s adoptive parents are the ones who have legal rights and custody of the child, an open adoption means that the adoptee can get to know their birth family, too.
7. Your child will have access to their records.
When a child experiences a closed adoption, they won’t have access to their original birth certificate or the names of their birth parents.
With an open adoption, your child will be able to access their:
- Birth records
- Adoption records
- Birth parents’ information
All of this data and information can help an adoptee develop a well-rounded understanding of who they are and where they came from.
8. Adoptees know all about their adoption.
Children who aren’t told about their adoption may feel betrayed, embarrassed or scared when they find out that they are adopted.
Sharing personal information on open adoption in California with your child removes that stigma.
With an open adoption, your child will know from day one that they’re not only adopted, but completely loved. It’s important to note that, regardless of the type of adoption communication you end up with, every family who works with American Adoptions is required to tell their child about their adoption story.
9. You’ll be part of a lifelong community.
One of the biggest reasons to consider an open adoption is that you’ll be part of a community.
Not only will you and your child have the unique opportunity to get to know their birth family, but you’ll also be able to connect with other adoptive families who have gone through the same experience as you.
Open adoption is centered on communication. This means that you and your child will not only be able to talk with their birth parents about the adoption, but with other adoptive families and adoptees, as well.
The community you build can offer your child:
- Support
- Encouragement
- Acceptance
When you build a community with your child, they’ll realize that adoption is a normal, positive experience, and that it can benefit them throughout their life.
Get more information on open adoption in California when you visit our website or call American Adoptions at 1-800-ADOPTION today.
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