As a woman considering adoption for her baby, there’s most likely a lot on your mind right now. It can be a stressful time, and you may feel additional pressure to find the perfect adoptive family for your baby. First of all, it’s important to know that every woman’s ideal adoptive family for her baby looks different. Some women may be interested in same-sex couples looking to adopt, while others may be interested in traditional, opposite-sex couples. Some women, however, may feel strongly about the idea of their baby being raised in a single parent household.

Whether you had a positive experience growing up in a single parent household yourself, or whether you feel a connection when you look at single mother or father’s adoption profile, you can absolutely place your baby for adoption with a single parent. And while some might see a single parent household as less desirable, there are actually several benefits associated with a child being raised by a single parent.

1. Children raised by single parents may be more responsible. Single parents are tasked with handling all of the responsibility in a household. While this can, of course, be difficult at times, a child who is raised in this environment will understand from an early age that he or she must be responsible for their own actions. He or she will learn to value planning, following through, and — as he or she grows older — will understand the importance of teamwork and helping out around the home.

2. Children raised by single parents will receive undivided attention. In a two-parent household, each partner has to be committed to spending quality time with the other — or at least, this should happen in a healthy relationship. In a household where both parents work, this can mean less time with a child. A single parent, however, only has to prioritize quality time with one member of their household — their child!

3. A child who is raised by a single parent may have a stronger bond with that parent. There is nothing like the bond between a parent and a child, and in a single parent household, this bond may be even stronger than in other homes. In this scenario, a child will depend on that parent for everything — stability, safety, security and, most importantly, love. In return, a child in a single parent’s household will be that parent’s top priority and greatest love at all times.

4. Single parents may be able to devote more quality time to their children. Not having a partner may mean less time spent outside the homes at things like work events, family events, and even extracurricular activities. A single parent can prioritize only what matters to them rather than taking a spouse’s life events into account, which means they can choose to spend as much quality time at home with their children as their own schedule will allow.

5. Children who are raised in a single-parent adoptive household are being raised by parents who are secure, stable and most likely had happy childhoods of their own. Anyone who wishes to adopt — including a single parent — must undergo a home study. This assesses the candidate’s background, financial and medical records, home environment and more. Passing a home study and being deemed eligible to adopt is an accomplishment in itself. Moreover, a parent who chooses to adopt singly has most likely had the advantage of a happy, healthy childhood, and has chosen to give a child that same experience that he or she was lucky enough to have.

If you wish to place your baby in a single parent household, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that decision. A single parent who wants to adopt will have the same commitment and devotion to your child as a married couple, and a case could be made that they have even more love to give. Single adoptive parents, just like married ones, are financially secure and ready to provide your child with a stable and loving home.

For more information about adoption, please call 1-800-ADOPTION, or use this tool to begin looking through hopeful adoptive families at American Adoptions. 

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