Open Adoption

In an open adoption, birth and adoptive families know who each other are, and in many cases, have ongoing contact with each other. The degree of openness varies, but open adoption allows you to jointly form an adoption plan with adoptive parents that works for everyone involved. A child grows up secure in the love of his family and is at peace because his birthparents are not a mystery.

For those who choose an adoption plan, you will share with Sunny Ridge what you are looking for in an adoptive family, and our counselors will give you profiles of adoptive parents to read. Sunny Ridge does not maintain the usual waiting list of "first-come, first-serve" adoptive parents. You can see photos to learn more about them, their home, and their family.

You can meet the adoptive parents if you choose, and discuss your future relationship with them and the child. The amount of communication between birthparents and adoptive parents is mutually agreed upon. A birthparent may want to continue communication with the adoptive parents and learn more as the child grows and develops. Presents, pictures, and communication can be exchanged either directly or through Sunny Ridge. Any agreement regarding openness cannot be legally enforced by Illinois or Indiana law.

Once chosen, the adoptive parents also agree to the match. Adoptive parents and birthparents have the opportunity for ongoing contact. With professional guidance, they agree on the frequency and type of contact that best suits their families. Some prefer a few photographs and letters, while others enjoy frequent phone conversations and periodic visits.

Benefits to Birthparents:

• You know how your child is doing
• You meet and grow to care for the adoptive parents

Benefits to Adoptive Parents:

• Adoptive parents fulfill their dreams to parent
• Adoptive parents meet and grow to care for their child’s birthparents

Benefits to Child:

• The child grows up knowing about both the sorrow and joy that went into their adoption plan
• The child has information about their biological parents, their nationality, their health history and their heritage.
• The child knows about the love that both sets of parents have for them, rather than feeling abandoned, unwanted or rejected by the people who gave them life
• The child can more easily form a personal identity with information about their genetic origins.