For birth parents and adoptive families, it is important to choose the type of adoption they would like to complete early on in their adoption process. Choosing between an open, closed or semi-open adoption can be a difficult decision. Adoptive families and birth mothers need to determine what type of contact they feel comfortable with in order to move forward with the adoption process.

For Birth Mothers

Semi-open adoptions are the most common type of adoption contact agreed to. It is also the most flexible type of adoption. The birth mother may have the first names of the adoptive parents, and they will know the state in which the family resides. If the birth mother would like to talk to the adoptive family or send the family information, they will do this through the adoption agency that will ensure the confidentiality of the birth parents and the adoptive family. All communication will be through a third party, which means that birth parents may send letters to the adoptive family by mailing them to American Adoptions, who will then repackage the items to send  to the adoptive family without identifying information.

A semi-open adoption is beneficial for birth parents who would like to be updated on a regular basis about the well-being and developments of the child, but do not feel comfortable with direct contact. This allows the birth parents to move forward, while still maintaining a connection to their child and the adoptive family.

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Creating an Adoption Plan

For Adoptive Families

Most adoptive families choose to complete a semi-open adoption because it is the most flexible type of adoption, and the family still maintains a certain level of confidentiality. The adoption agency will mediate contact between the birth parents and the adoptive family by handling the correspondence. The birth parents and the adoptive family will mail pictures, letters, and other items to American Adoptions whose staff members will repackage the contents, stripping any information that is not part of the semi-open adoption agreement. American Adoptions may also facilitate phone calls between the adoptive family and the birth parents.

This type of contact is very beneficial for adoptees as well. As they grow older they can choose when and how they would like to reach out to their birth parents. It gives the adoptee the choice to decide what type of contact they wish to have with their birth parents, and they also have access to medical information about their extended family if they have questions or concerns.

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A semi-open adoption really allows the adoptive family, the birth parents and the adoptee the ability to stay connected through periodic contact, while also allowing them to maintain the distance they desire. Adoptive families and birth parents should make sure that their wishes for the amount and type of contact involved in their semi-open adoption is completely understood. Semi-open adoptions are flexible and many birth parents and adoptive families have unique agreements that fit their level of comfort and their unique situation.

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Things to Consider in Adoption
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