OPEN ADOPTION

Open adoption is an adoption where, “birth parents, the adopted child, and the adoptive parents know each other and interact directly at their own discretion. Their contact may be in person, or through correspondence and phone calls”(The Open Adoption Experience, xvi). The idea behind open adoption is to reduce the feelings of loss: the birth parents can see how their child is healthy and happy and the adopted child can know about his/her family of origin.

There is a whole spectrum of openness. Some adoptive families only correspond annually, while others see each other on a weekly basis. John and I enjoy an open adoption with all of our children's birth families. We stay in contact via texts, social media, and in-person visits. We have already been greatly blessed by having three open adoptions and cherish our expanded family!