Facing an unplanned pregnancy can be overwhelming and scary. Maybe you feel that adoption is the best plan for you and your baby, but figuring out what the next steps are can be confusing. There is a lot of information online, but it may be hard to know where to begin. Here are some important… Continue reading Unplanned Pregnancy and Considering Adoption? Here’s How to Choose the Right Adoption Agency

When parents decide to grow their family through adoption, they are asked about what characteristics they are open to. This often includes age, health, and race or ethnicity of the child among other categories. Some may initially say, “I would love any child, so I am open to everything.” While the intention behind that statement… Continue reading 9 Questions to Ask Yourself When Considering Adopting Transracially

Every adoption story involves an expectant mother making a plan to place her child. Much of the literature, education, and overall culture surrounding adoption reflects that, often referring to only the birth mother’s experience. Sadly, that diminishes the experience of birth fathers. Although it is true that birth fathers are not always involved in making… Continue reading Birth Fathers in Adoption

One of the most common questions we are asked by families waiting to adopt is “What can we do to increase our odds of matching?” The initial stages of the adoption process give prospective adoptive families a lot to keep busy with. Between selecting an agency, gathering documentation, completing the home study, and developing profile… Continue reading Self-Marketing in Adoption

Every year, the second Sunday of May is dedicated to mothers. At ACFB, we celebrate all mothers on this day, from birth mothers to adoptive mothers to mother-figures. For some birth parents, Mother’s Day can be very difficult. They may be reminded of the pain of having a child that they are not parenting. While… Continue reading What is Birth Mother’s Day?

In Illinois, April has been declared Safe Haven Awareness Month with the goal of informing residents of the Safe Haven option for their newborn child. The Safe Haven law, also known as the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act, enacted in 2001 in Illinois, is designed to provide struggling parents with a safe, legal alternative to… Continue reading Safe Haven Awareness Month

So, you’ve decided to grow your family through adoption! You’ve taken time to consider all of your options and you feel strongly that adoption is the right path for you. The next step is deciding who you will work with. This can be much easier said than done. There are many different routes for private… Continue reading How to Select an Adoption Agency as Adoptive Parents

Adoption is a courageous and responsible choice. That said, it can be one of the most difficult decisions a parent ever makes. Expectant parents have so much love for their child, but often are struggling with an emotional or financial crisis that may impact their ability to provide for their child. Expectant parents understand their… Continue reading 6 Questions to Ask Yourself When Considering Placing Your Child for Adoption

Congratulations! You’ve completed the home study process and are officially approved to be an adoptive family. Now comes the next daunting task of creating your adoption profile. While building a profile is exciting, it can also feel overwhelming because it’s the first thing an expectant parent will see when they are looking for a family… Continue reading 5 Things to Know When Making Your Adoption Profile

Last month on the ACFB blog, we discussed the importance of acknowledging race and ethnicity in adoption. If you missed it, check out the post here. We shared how it is crucial for parents in transracial adoptions to create an inclusive, supportive environment for their child to grow up in. This goes far beyond simply having books and toys that represent the child’s background. Parents must be willing to put in the work to educate themselves and the people around them about what it is like for child to grow up in a family that does not look like them.