Check out the video on my YouTube channel HERE.
Time for some myth-busting! After years of working with families, I keep hearing the same misconceptions about adoption over and over again. So, let’s set the record straight and debunk some of these myths that might be keeping you from moving forward with your adoption journey.
Myth: All Expecting Moms Are Teenagers
Teenagers are actually the LEAST likely to place their child for adoption!
The maturity level of a teenager is typically much lower than that of an older woman—someone in college, in her twenties, thirties, or even into her forties. I’ve worked with birth moms of all different ages, and actually, one of my most mature birth mothers was a teenager. But commonly, women who are still teenagers don’t make adoption plans as often as people think.
The most common age for women making adoption plans? Their twenties. So, throw that stereotype right out the window.
Myth: Adoption Takes Years
Not necessarily! While some adoptions can take longer than others, there are adoption professionals (like us) who really know how to guide families and make the process move much quicker.
We teach our adoptive families specific tips, tools, and strategies that can significantly speed things up. The key is working with the right professionals who actually know what they’re doing. Just know that not all adoptions are going to take years to complete—that’s outdated thinking.
Myth: Birth Moms Will Come Back for Their Children
This fear keeps so many families up at night, but it’s simply not true for the vast majority of situations.
The women we work with at Adoption & Beyond are voluntarily choosing to place their children for adoption. This is what they believe is best for their child. Coming back to reclaim their child from an adoption situation contradicts what they felt was important for their child when they first made their adoption plan.
This just doesn’t commonly happen, though I totally understand why it’s a fear many adoptive families carry. The reality is much more reassuring than the fear.
Myth: All Adoptions Are Expensive
Wrong again! Yes, adoptions CAN be expensive, but there are plenty of adoption processes that aren’t breaking the bank.
For example, when you adopt a child from foster care, it’s virtually free. Then you have options like self-networking adoption, which we teach our families about—it’s the least expensive avenue of adoption besides foster care.
Don’t let cost fears stop you from exploring adoption. Professionals like us really try to help families afford adoption by showing you different avenues and strategies to make it work within your budget.
Myth: You Can Have a Closed Domestic Adoption
I haven’t done a closed adoption in 25 years. Twenty-five years!
It’s extremely uncommon to have a closed adoption when you’re adopting domestically through the United States, especially with infant adoption. If you’re hoping for a closed adoption, you need to adjust those expectations.
It’s really important to become comfortable with open adoption and understand that there are different levels of openness. Time to embrace the reality of modern adoption!
These myths might feel comforting because they represent the “old way” of thinking about adoption, but they’re just not accurate anymore. The sooner you can let go of these misconceptions, the sooner you can move forward with realistic expectations and better preparation.
Knowledge is power in adoption! The more you understand what adoption actually looks like today versus what people think it looks like, the better equipped you’ll be.
Want to dive deeper into what modern adoption really looks like? Check out my All About Adoption 101 course for the real scoop on today’s adoption landscape. The Avenues of Adoption course breaks down all your options, including those budget-friendly routes I mentioned.
This blog post is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Our services are not financial, business, or legal advice. The information presented here is not a guarantee that you will obtain any results or earn any money using our content. Adoption & Beyond, Inc. owns all copyrights to the materials presented here unless otherwise noted.
