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Lisa's Adoption Story

Through American Adoptions, I have been able to make choices in my life that I might not have been able to make otherwise.

I was a divorced single mother when I found out that I was pregnant with a second child. Being recently divorced my life was going through much turmoil and I was positive that I was not financially secure to raise two children. For me, abortion was not a choice. I love my son very much and I realized that I wanted this child to enjoy things in life that as a single mother I knew I would not be able to give her.

I decided to look into adoption through American Adoptions because of the variety of services that they have to offer. I was very scared when I made that phone call to find out how the adoption process worked. When I called American Adoptions, I found myself at ease very soon as they were very understanding and explained the many questions that I had.

The most important thing to me was that I could choose the type of adoption that I wanted. I knew that this would be very hard on me and wanted to be able to have contact with my child throughout life. I decided to choose an semi-open adoption, they sent me a packet of different families to choose from and I found one that I felt had important values. I was able to meet the couple that I had chosen and I immediately knew that they were the one that I wanted to raise her. The family that I chose regularly visits with me through email and pictures, and I know that she is being very well taken care of.

My little girl is now over a year old and I could not ask for a better couple to raise her as their own.

I had already decided after my divorce that I wanted to return to college to finish my associates degree in Business and also to pursue a degree in Paralegal Studies. I will be finishing my associates in Paralegal Studies this Spring and I am currently continuing that education on to received a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice while working full time at a law firm, and raising my son.

I hope women out there will understand that there are choices you can make; you just have to decide what is the right decision for you. There are people out there who care about you and your baby. When you decide, please remember that there are people out there who long to have a child, but are not able to. You were given a miracle and can help others out there to be able to have a family.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is American Adoptions the right adoption agency choice for many birth mothers?

American Adoptions is one of the largest licensed adoption agencies in the United States. Each year, we work with thousands of women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and offer assistance to these women. Our large, caring staff is able to assist you seven days a week and provide you with one-on-one counseling about your pregnancy and available options.

You should choose an adoption agency where you feel completely comfortable with their services and staff. With American Adoptions, you will work with an Adoption Specialist who is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Adoption Specialist will be your advocate and will provide support and guidance as you create an adoption plan that is right for you.

How will the family tell my child about me and the adoption when my child is older?

Each family has their own style of introducing adoption to the child. When you are matched with an adoptive family, you can ask them this question. If you would like your Adoption Specialist to discuss it for you, just let her know. He or she can share your wishes or provide good ideas from other adoptive families.

You will also be able to share what you want your baby to know about you. You can complete a keepsake booklet to share hobbies, stories, photos of you and your family and a letter to your baby. The adoptive family can provide this to your child as he or she grows older. Be as creative as you like! Some birth mothers have even knitted a special blanket as a gift to their baby or given a similar symbol of their love.

The father of your baby can fill out the birth father's keepsake booklet or write a letter too. You may have other family members who would also like to share photos or a letter to the baby. This is your opportunity to pass on your and your family's love and to share your personality, history and reasons for choosing adoption. The adoptive family will treasure whatever information you provide and will share it with the baby at an appropriate age. In most adoptive homes, the word adoption is in the child's vocabulary early on, and adoption is celebrated in their lives.

Additional Resources

Teen Pregnancy - Information for Young Women

While not every woman who chooses adoption is a young mother, many are. Through adoption, many young women have found an ability to give their babies the best life possible, while finding the opportunity to realize their own dreams, as well. Call American Adoptions today at 1-800-ADOPTION.

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Adoption Glossary

Do adoption terms and phrases leave you feeling confused? Learn the meaning to key adoption words and phrases with our comprehensive adoption glossary.

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