Almost all adoptions of infants born in the United States today are open. I have adoptions in my law practice which range from extremely open to closed, but most are what I characterize as semi-open. In the totally open adoptions, the birth parents and adoptive parents exchange identifying information and meet in person, not only before the adoption, but over the years. In the semi-open adoptions, most birth parents want to meet the adoptive parents on a first name basis before placing the child for adoption and wish to have updates and photos of the child at a set time each year, typically on birthdays, through texting or email. The knowledge that they will receive ongoing communication reassures birth mothers that their child will thrive in an adoption and can be a wonderful way for adoptive parents and children to have tough questions answered. Whatever the level of openness, the best interest of the adoptive child governs all contact..
This morning, Al Roker presented a beautiful segment about open adoption on the TODAY Show’s “Choosing Adoption” series, which is airing all week. The love between the birth and adoptive family in the piece was inspiring.
http://www.today.com/moms/choosing-adoption-series-airs-today-all-next-week-8C11507812
‘Choosing Adoption’ series airs on TODAY all next week
