Planning for a Closed Adoption

A closed adoption allows you to let your adoption agency know what is important to you so that they can choose the best family for your child. This page will give you a list of things you should consider as you begin to plan for adoption. Keep in mind that these are just samples. As the birth parent, you have the freedom to choose what is important to you and what is not.

Making an adoption plan might consist of filling out a form that will ask questions like the ones you see below. It may consist of you brainstorming things that are important to you and writing them down. You can use the following list as a way to create your adoption plan if you would like. Start out by ordering the following by how important each item is to you.

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Do you want the adoptive parents to be present at the birth? To what extent?

What religious beliefs do you want the adoptive parents to have? Which ones do you not want them to have?

Is there a specific denomination you want the adoptive parents to belong to? Is there a religion or denomination you do not want the adoptive parents to have?

Do you want the adoptive parents to have a certain value system or parenting style?

How many years of marriage would you like the adoptive parents to have had?

Do you mind if the adoptive parents have been divorced prior to this marriage?

What age would you like the adoptive parents to be?

Do you want your child to be the first child or a subsequent child for the adoptive parents?

If you are open to having other children in the family, how many siblings would you like for your child?

What kind of lifestyle do you want the adoptive parents to lead? Adventurous? Lots of travel? Sports enthusiasts? Intellectuals?

What sort of things do you want the adoptive parents to do for fun?

What line of work would you prefer the adoptive parents to be in?

Would you like one parent to stay home with the baby instead of working?

Do you mind if your baby is in daycare during the day?

What is the relationship with the adoptive parents' extended family like, and how do they feel about adoption?

Would you like to select parents who are interested in adopting a baby that is not of your child's ethnicity/race?

How would you prefer that the adoptive parents discuss adoption with your child?

Do you prefer that the adoptive family live in a rural or a city environment?

Do you prefer the adoptive parents have a certain level of education?

Is it important that the adoptive parents have an educational plan for your child?

Would you prefer the adoptive parents have pets? What type?