Preparing for Parenthood

Tips for first-time parents

There are some things that seem to come easily - you know that you will need diapers, bottles and a car seat - but many first-time parents find themselves wondering "Now what do I do with it?"

There are many resources available for first-time parents. Many hospitals offer newborn and infant care classes specifically tailored to serve as a "crash course" for new parents. These courses can be a great resource for new parents and provides a fun atmosphere for learning the parenting basics. However, some adoptive couples may feel uncomfortable, or find it emotionally difficult, to attend these classes as they are primarily attended by pregnant couples. As a result, some hospitals have begun to offer infant care classes for adoptive couples. Not only do classes like this teach valuable information, but they also allow adoptive couples to meet fellow waiting families in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Couples should contact their local hospital for information regarding infant care classes and their availability.

Other parents and veteran childcare workers also can provide a great wealth of information for new parents. Every parent has their own unique tips and tricks that they have learned through their own parenting experiences, while childcare workers will be able to share tips they have amassed through their wide range of experiences. Ask friends and neighbors with children what they think are important things to know, as well as baby products that they would recommend.

Finally, there are many books available that offer a variety of information for new parents, from the diapering basics to first aide. One very popular book for new parents is What to Expect the First Year, by Heidi Murkoff, Sandee Hathaway and Arlene Eisnberg. For more parenting books, visit your favorite bookstore, library or online resource, such as Amazon.com.

Adoption 101: Identified Adoptions

Although our agency offers distinct adoption programs to match waiting families with expectant mothers, there are occasions when a family and a birth mother come together through their own networking avenues and only needs assistance with the adoption process itself. This is referred to as an Identified Adoption.

To better serve our clients, American Adoptions has developed three Identified Adoption programs, each varying depending on the level of service needed to complete the adoption. Our full range of adoption services will be available for all adoptive families and birth parents joining one of our Identified Adoption programs, including our 24 hour, seven days a week birth parent support. Our fully qualified staff will assist and support both the adoptive family and the birth mother in the same manner as if they were matched through our agency.

For more information regarding our Identified Adoption programs, call 1-800-ADOPTION.

Questions & Answers With Laurie

Laurie
Walker

Hello everyone, my name is Laurie Walker and I am an Adoptive Family Specialist with American Adoptions. I have worked with many birth mothers and adoptive families in my time here at American Adoptions and love being able to watch families form through adoption.

Q. Are there specific states where American Adoptions works with more birth mothers than others? Are there certain months when American Adoptions sees more adoptions happening?

A. Those are very good questions and although the answers are not based on absolutes, we do often see trends.

American Adoptions does complete more adoptions in certain states when compared to others. Some of the very frequent states we see our adoptions completed in are states such as Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Kansas and Missouri. However, we also do many adoptions in states such as California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Virginia. Your birth mother literally could come from any state in the country however. American Adoptions has completed an adoption with a birth mother from every state except Alaska. So that means definitely do not discount any state as a potential, not even Hawaii! I'm sure you are thinking waiting on approval for your ICPC in Hawaii wouldn't be so bad. The internet is a very popular way our birth mother's find our services and of course the internet reaches women far and wide.

There also seems to be some months when we do complete more adoptive placements compared to others. There are specific months that are more popular for babies in general to be born and it does seem to contribute to more adoptions being completed in those months. The busiest month for babies to be born in this country is August which also tends to be quite a busy month for adoptive placements to be completed. February is the least most common month for babies to be born. February also is a month we tend to complete less adoptive placements compared to the other months.

Just remember that these are just trends and not absolutes. Many other factors contribute to why a specific month ranks higher for adoptive placements at times as well and trends can vary from year to year.

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