
The path to adoption is often fraught with misconceptions and emotional complexity, especially for birth mothers. Amidst the myths and stereotype-driven narratives, it’s crucial to highlight the empowering and uplifting aspects of adoption. The reality is that adoption can offer numerous positives, not only for the adoptive families and children but for birth mothers as well. At Florida Adoptions, we hear a lot of common misconceptions about adoption from pregnant mothers. In this article, we will go over some of those misconceptions and how many of them are actually quite the opposite of what you might think.
8 Misconceptions About Adoption
In the age of information, it’s more critical than ever before to debunk misinformation. This is especially true for topics as important as adoption. Below, we have put together eight misconceptions about adoption for birth mothers who are looking to place a child in the state of Florida.
- You can’t place your baby for adoption if you are drug or alcohol dependent. This is absolutely not true. Most adoption attorneys and agencies are well equipped to handle situations with birth mothers when drugs and alcohol are involved. This does not disqualify you as a birth mother if you want to place your child for adoption. Simply call the adoption attorney’s office and let them know about your situation. They will work with you to make sure you have the support you need throughout the process and even provide free counseling to help with addiction.
- The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) will get involved. There are many situations in which DCF does not need to be involved when placing a baby for adoption. Birth mothers in Florida should feel safe knowing that they will not face any legal repercussions during the adoption process. If you’re feeling anxiety about adoption, calling an adoption attorney, like Florida Adoptions, can help ease any uncertainty you may be feeling.
- Once you have your baby, it’s too late to place it for adoption. Even if you’ve already given birth to your baby in the hospital, you can still place him or her for adoption. At Florida Adoptions, we’ve had several birth mothers decide post-birth that they are reconsidering parenting and would like to start the adoption process. Once you have your baby, if you would like to consider adoption, get in touch with an attorney to help you get the process started.
- An adoptive family is just like foster care. While we recognize the great work foster homes do around the U.S., adoptive families are much different. They must pass a more robust and rigorous nationwide background check, medical check, finance check, and more. Adoption attorneys often take it a step further and help match the birth mothers with the perfect family for them and their child, making sure the child has the best chance at a happy and healthy life.
- You’ll never see your baby again. Many birth mothers’ primary concern is the fear that they might not see their baby once they place it for adoption. This is rarely the case. At Florida Adoptions, we require all of our adoptive families to sign a post adoption communication agreement. This means that, as a birth mother, you can receive everything from photos to letters from your child as he or she grows up. In some cases and depending on the adoptive family, in-person visits can be arranged.
- Adoption is abandoning your child. This could not be further from the truth. In reality, adoption is one of the most selfless acts a birth mother can make. It’s a calculated and deliberate process of choosing the perfect family to raise your child. The birth mother knows the family will love and support for his or her child for a lifetime, giving her child opportunities he or she wouldn’t otherwise have. It’s a clear act of love.
- The only women who choose adoption are young and irresponsible. There is no one-size-fits-all candidate or set of circumstances for birth mothers who are considering adoption. In fact, birth mothers can come from all age groups. The truth is, there are any number of reasons a mother might choose to place her baby for adoption. This can be anything from financial stress to career responsibilities. Whatever the case is, birth mothers should never feel ashamed of their age or reasons for adoption.
- Birth mothers usually regret their decision to put their child up for adoption. While every birth mother’s experience is different, there are plenty of mothers who feel satisfied and at peace with their decision. In our experience, we’ve noticed that birth mothers who have access to counseling and opportunities to communicate with their child feel more connected to the child and have an opportunity to play an active role in their child’s life. This connection often leads to increased satisfaction with their decision when seeing their child live a happy and stable life.
Final Thoughts About Birth Mothers’ Common Adoption Misconceptions
Adoption can often be an emotional and stressful journey for birth mothers. However, it can also be one filled with positivity and love. If you are a birth mother and on the fence about placing your baby for adoption because of something negative you heard, reach out to an adoption attorney in Florida who can help, such as Florida Adoptions.
About Florida Adoptions
Florida Adoptions is a small, hands-on practice located in Pensacola, Florida. Our team is passionate about child-related issues and helping mothers and adoptive families through the adoption process. We specialize in all areas of adoption law, including private placement with infants and children, step-parent adoption, relative adoption, foster care adoption, and adult adoption. Our practice also encompasses representing children in the foster care system.
Get in Touch
If you are in Pensacola and need to talk through any thoughts and feelings you may be having about adoption, our team is here for you. Feel free to contact us regarding any questions or concerns you may have. Call or text us today at (850) 610-4166 or send us an email at stephanie@fladoptions.com.