There are many questions and concerns that birth parents face when embarking on the journey to understand the options surrounding adoption. At Adoption & Beyond, we want you to be at peace with any decision you make, so we are providing a periodic blog series to address some questions and concerns that arise for many prospective birth parents. This blog is the second installment, but you can find the first one here.
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One concern or hurdle that some prospective birth parents face is a family that doesn’t support them. A family can be unsupportive of young birth parents that are debating adoption and a family can be unsupportive of birth parents that have already chosen adoption. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to remember that what the birth parent knows to be true is the best decision. It is a particularly difficult challenge because you are tasked with not only making a decision but getting family members on board, too. And they may not be able to see the situation from your perspective.
Unsupportive Families
If you are a prospective birth parent considering adoption because your family is not supportive of raising a child, then know that there are options for you. We offer adoption education and guidance, along with assistance with doctor appointments and transportation. All of our counseling and education services are meant to explain the options to you so that you can make the right decision for you. There is no pressure to make an adoption plan; just the knowledge that every prospective birth parent needs to make the right decision.
If you are a prospective birth parent who has decided on adoption but your family doesn’t know or is not supportive of this decision, then know that the decision is yours to make, not theirs. You are not legally required to tell your parents that you are pregnant or that you are planning an adoption. And if your family does know and they aren’t supportive, we can help you work with your family during this period to make it less stressful for you.
Counseling Solutions
When facing a family that doesn’t immediately support your decision, it may be time to seek counseling or mediation help so that a trained professional can help you speak to your family. These choices are never easy and often bring a lot of emotions from everyone, so having a counselor present can make a huge difference. If this is something you are facing with your family, let us know so that we can help you come to an understanding with them and find some peace.
These concerns are just the beginning for many who are considering adoption. If you have more questions, then consider reading our Prospective Birth Parents section on our website that includes everything from adoptive rights to frequently asked questions and contact information.
