by Christine Priebe

Created on: April 15, 2009   Last Updated: April 25, 2009

Open adoption is about love, honesty, trust, and communication. It is child-centered. It is about making a life long commitment. No matter what though it is never easy. Although it can be a good thing, that doesn't mean it is not difficult. When considering an open adoption, look at it from all viewpoints. In an ordinary open adoption there can be some advantages for the adoptive parents, the birth parents, and the child that you may want to consider.

The birth parents that choose an open adoption get to choose the adoptive parents. This is to their advantage and gives them a sense of control. They are able to interview prospects and make their own decision on who they think is best fit to parent their child. Open adoption also gives the birth parents a sense of comfort. Knowing who their child is with can ease their minds. It could also reduce any guilty feelings they may have. The birth parents can have a relationship with their child and the adoptive family.

The adopting parents also have advantages in an open adoption. The adopting parents will know exactly what the birth parents intentions are. The adopting parents also have all the medical information they need for their child. They will know the biological parents background information which could be helpful if the child becomes ill. Knowing medical history is much easier on the child as well for when they get older. They will need to know if they are at risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and many other serious conditions. If the birth parents were not involved in the adoption, this vital information may never be known. Another advantage is the empowerment of knowing they were chosen by the birth parents. The adoptive parents have the peace of mind that they were the best suited for adopting the child.

The child has obvious advantages in an open adoption as well. They will have a better understanding of who they are and where they came from. They don't have to waste time and money searching for who their biological parents are. The child can have a relationship with the birth parents which gives them a sense of comfort. The birth parents can be there along with the adopting parents to answer the child's questions. Having the support of both families can make the process a lot easier in an already sensitive situation. Both families are there to care about the child and their well-being.

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