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This program is not just for adoption-minded moms-to-be, this is for anyone
experiencing a surprise pregnancy.  If you need support in your pregnancy, whether you're planning
to parent your child or place your child for adoption, we are here to help you.

Parenting your child

Parenting is stressful even for the most prepared parents, so don't let the idea of new stress
scare you.  There are many programs for parents who want to do a good job raising
their children.  We will help you find the right community resource for your situation and we can match you
to a resource family who will support, encourage and guide you according to your desires and
particular needs.  You will not be "alone" in parenthood if you are willing to build some new connections.

If you are considering adoption, please read on.

An important thought to consider:

Some agencies and some adoptive families may promise to help you with your finances because you are
 considering adoption for your child.  Be careful with that.  While Michigan adoption law allows for some
adoption related expenses to be paid to birthmothers, please think twice about what you accept in relation
to your adoption.   Don't let that be an incentive to pick any specific agency or any specific family.  And never
feel obligated to proceed with an adoption plan that no longer feels right only because someone helped you out
during your pregnancy.  When all is said and done and you reflect on your adoption choice,
you want to look back and KNOW that all of your choices were made out of love and concern for your child's future. 
We tell you this not because we don't trust your ability to make a wise choice, but because we have
heard stories from birthfamilies who later regretted that financial support was a part of their adoption decision. 
Adoption should be a choice that feels good now and later.
 

Questions?  Contact our staff at greaterhopes@greaterhopes.org

What is Open Adoption?

Most open adoption practitioners tend to agree that a genuine open
adoption is an adoption that is based on truth, reality, honor, respect,
options and flexibility, acknowledgement of pain, transformation, a
relationship kin to covenant, and a desire to maximize the adopted child's total
life experience by being inclusive of all the child’s blood and
psychological relatives.

(Written by Cathy Raidna; Ideas conglomerated in
The Spirit of Open Adoption by Jim Gritter)

What is an adoption triad?

An adoption triad consists of all the parties to an adoption -
birthparents, adoptive parents, and the adoptee.

What actions are involved in an open adoption?

An open adoption is a legal transfer of parental rights from one set of
parents to another. Original parents become birthparents, adoptive
applicants become parents. Both sets of parents love and nurture the
adopted child. The new parents raise, teach, discipline, make decisions
on behalf of, and provide for the child as their son or daughter, as a
member of their immediate family.

What might an open adoption look like?

Sometimes birthparents and birthfamilies become very close with the
newly created family and develop relationships much like we
see with today's extended families. Birthfamilies may take on a
significant role similar to in-law families created by marriage. When a
couple marries and accepts their spouse's family, they do it out of love
for their spouse. Shouldn't the same be given to a child who joins the family?

Frequently birthmothers and mothers, and birthfathers and fathers,
develop relationships similar to siblinghood.
A child's four sets of grandparents often find it gratifying to have seven
other adults doting on their grandchild.

And of course, problems may arise--given that we are dealing with humans
and intense emotions we know problems will surface.  But you will learn to
work through them with support from your caseworker and through classes
specifically designed to address adoption related issues.

BIRTHPARENT SUPPORT SERVICES:
(Michigan adoption law gives birthparents the right to this service at no cost to the birthfamily). 
Birthparents need the support and
encouragement from an experienced professional while undergoing their
crisis pregnancy. Birthparents find value in talking about and
problem-solving their situation with someone whose only goal is to help
them. Effective pregnancy counselors are sensitive to the issues of grief
and loss, trauma, indecision, frustration and intensified interpersonal
relationships that accompany an unplanned pregnancy. Fees are charged per
involved birthparent. The court-required birthparent history reports are
generated within this service.

Questions?  Contact our staff at greaterhopes@greaterhopes.org