Adoption Agency? HELP!

When considering putting your child up for adoption or adopting a child yourself, one of the first things that runs through any person's head is how to find the right adoption agency.  There are several good and bad signs that you should look for when choosing the right adoption agency.

Some warning signs to look out for are:

• Big budgets and recruiting: Any agency that offers large incentives and rewards for birth mothers is some what sketchy.  These agencies may be too aggressive in pushing women, especially young mothers, towards adoption.

• Housing for birth mothers: Advertising great housing and lots of benefits for birth mothers could suggest that this agency is "fishing" for women who may not be fully committed to adoption.  Also, a logical question to ask is where this agency is getting the funding to have such high end housing available for its mothers. 

• Lack of post adoption support: Adoption agencies that provide little or no post-adoption support should be avoided.  

• The fairy tale: Avoid adoption agencies that seem to sugar-coat the entire adoption process, making it out to be something that is win-win for all parties involved.  The emotional toll that adoption can have should be important to the agency you choose.  

Some positive signs that the agency you are looking at is credible and reliable are:

• More than one option/Legal rights: Agencies that aim to make young women aware of all their legal rights and all options regarding adoption are favorable because they are clearly putting the birth mother and child first and foremost. 

• Open adoption as an option: An agency that at least encourages birth parents to consider open adoption is helping the birth mother weigh all of her options.

• Understanding adoption: Adoption agencies that seem to understand all the complexities and range of emotions that come along with adoption tend to be the most realistic and are best able to assist parents on both sides of the adoption.