How to Find an Adoptive Family

By Erin Carson

After making the difficult decision to place your child up for adoption, the process of selecting prospective adoptive parents can seem overwhelming. There are thousands of couples waiting to adopt a child. You can narrow down your search by determining the type of relationship you wish to pursue with the adoptive parents and your birth child, and by considering the qualities that are important to you in a prospective adoptive family. By doing so, you can find the right adoptive parents for your baby.

• Think about the qualities or characteristics that you would like the adoptive family to possess. Decide if you want to pass on any cultural or religious traditions. Determine whether you want your child raised with siblings or if you prefer a couple with no older children.
  
• Consider the degree of contact you want with your birth child after the adoption. Birth mothers and adoptive families can choose open or semi-open adoptions in which the birth parents play a role in the birth child's life, primarily through the exchange of letters and pictures. According to Adoption.com, closed adoptions--where no information exchange occurs between the birth mother and the parents--rarely occur today.
  
• Search the Internet for couples waiting to adopt a child. Many reputable adoption sites offer profiles of prospective adoptive families so you can learn something about the families before any type of initial contact occurs. Make note of any families that interest you.
  
• Contact a licensed agency or attorney to discuss placing your baby for adoption. Since the state laws governing adoption can be difficult to navigate, it is crucial that you find an agency or attorney that offers skilled legal representation. They can also offer support services and help arrange medical care.
  
• Organize meetings with potential adoptive families that interest you. If you choose to go through an agency, an adoption counselor will usually handle the meeting arrangements. Selecting a few families at first can help give you more insight into different parenting styles and personalities.