Open adoption has many benefits for you and your child. With an open adoption you will be able to:

• Share your child's birth story with her directly
• Answer any questions she will have about your family, and why you chose adoption
• Show your child that he/she is loved by his/her birth family

In an open adoption, birthparents are like extended family members or close family friends. In an open adoption, the adopted child builds a relationship with birthparents just as they do with other caring family friends -- through occasional visits and/or phone calls and letters. The adoptive family has the parental role, including all decisions regarding the child's upbringing.

It may be difficult to see your child at first, but many birthparents say that in the long run they are very glad that that they chose to have contact. An open adoption allows you to see how your decision has let your child thrive and grow in a loving and stable environment.

If you would like more or less openness in your adoption at a later point, The Cradle can assist you in contacting your child's parents if you do not feel comfortable discussing your relationship directly.

If you feel strongly that an open adoption is not for you, that's okay too. All of our families are prepared for an open adoption, so if you decide later on that you'd like contact with the family, we'll help you reconnect.