Our new series featuring stories from birth parents about the adoption process continues this week. You can also read the first three stories, featuring thoughts from the birth parents separately and another birth parent couple.  Today, we feature another interview with both birth parents, Tina and Jon. We hope you continue to find these interviews informative and important, as we certainly do. They may just answer some questions you have about the adoption process, whether you are a potential birth or adoptive parent.

Check back next week for another story from one of our birth parents. And if you have any questions about the adoption process, you can always contact us.

Why did you choose adoption?

We chose adoption to give our child a better life. We couldn’t give him the life that he deserved, and it felt wrong to bring a child into a life where he would always be wanting.

What are you able to do now that you would not be able to do had you decided to parent your child?

We’ve been able to focus on our own health, mentally and physically. We’ve been looking into returning to school and going further in our careers.

What are your feelings about the adoptive family? What kind of relationship do you have with them?

We love the adoptive family, truly. They came into our lives with open hearts and open minds. They never made us feel like lesser people, or like we owed them something. Our relationship during the pregnancy was great. After relinquishment we still occasionally keep in contact. We feel like even if there were no contact, they would still hold a place in our hearts as we would in theirs.

Have your family and friends been supportive?

Our friends have been very supportive. They understand our reasons for choosing adoption and they’ve been there for us whenever one of us needed to talk or a shoulder to cry on. Our families weren’t as supportive, but they listened and tried their best to understand and accept our decision.

Can you talk a little about your experience with Adoption & Beyond?

Adoption & Beyond was probably the best agency we could have gone through. They were always available for any small question or concern we had. We were never looked down on or judged. They were helpful and considerate, always. We never had an issue with them and felt supported the whole time.

Is there anything else you would like to say?

Adoption is probably the hardest thing we’ll ever do, but we know we will never regret doing it. We know that we made the right choice.

– Tina & Jon

Interested in learning more about Placing Your Child for Adoption in Kansas and Missouri?  Check out our entire guide here.