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Preparing to Adopt
There are many things that you can do to help prepare yourselves to adopt. We have compiled a short list of useful ideas that may help you:
- Attend an IAC morning seminar on our services and open adoption.
- There are numerous resources out there, especially on the Internet. Spend time researching and reading as much as you can about open adoption. It will help you on your adoption journey and also helps you educate friends and family. We recommend the following books:
The Open Adoption Book
Author: Bruce M. Rappaport, Ph.D.
In an open adoption, both the birthparents and adoptive parents are actively involved in all phases of the process. Interweaving personal stories with answers to the questions most frequently asked about the process, this informative book is designed to help all parties overcome the anxieties often associated with adoption.
Dear Birthmother
Author: Kathleen Silber, ACSW
This book on open adoption, recommended by the Child Welfare League of America, has been updated to reflect current practices. It provides specific and practical suggestions about beginning and maintaining an open adoption. It also contains actual letters written between adoptive families and birthparents. DEAR BIRTHMOTHER will help you carefully consider the issues involved in adoption.
- Talk to your friends and family about your plans and open adoption.
- Look through your photo albums for photographs that might be suitable for your website and "Dear Birthmother" letter.
- Think about whether you are open to adopting transracially or adopting a baby with special needs.
- Consider what your adoption budget will be. How much can you afford for birthmother expenses?
- Begin to think of creative ways to network and letting others know that you are adopting. Effective networking may mean a shorter wait time.
- Make the most of your free time and have fun with friends and family before you bring your baby home.
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