Sibling Connections in Open Adoption
Over the last several decades, open adoption has become the norm in the United States. The benefits are clear for everyone involved – birth parents, adoptive parents, and the child. Through open adoption, children are able to have a better understanding of their story and a stronger sense of self. It allows adoptive families to continue receiving information about their child’s birth family history. It can provide birth parents with comfort knowing that their child grows up in a loving home and it allows them to have an ongoing relationship with their child. Open adoption also allows everyone involved to have a larger, stronger support system based around love for the child.
Another reason that open adoption is so special is that it allows children who were adopted to have a connection to their birth siblings. Oftentimes birth parents may make an adoption plan for a child because they are already parenting one or more children and unable to provide for another. Through open adoptions, those siblings can continue to have a relationship as they grow up. Sibling relationships can be incredibly fulfilling and important for adopted children and their birth siblings. It provides the adopted child with a way to connect with their biological family, while also giving their sibling the comfort in knowing that their sibling is happy and healthy.
Many children placed through ACFB grow up knowing their birth siblings. Pictured here is baby Alivia with her big brother Alister. Alister was excited to become a big brother from the moment he was told his mother was pregnant. Because of open adoption, Alister has been able to meet his little sister and will be a part of her life forever.
Pictured here is baby Virgil being held by his birth sibling Kevin. Kevin was overjoyed to meet his little brother shortly after birth. He immediately felt connected to him. He also quickly bonded with Virgil’s brother Cassius, who was adopted in 2019 (Photo below). Although they are not biologically related, they also started calling each other brothers. Adoptive parents Cate and Ryan and birth mom Sharon are excited to continue to see the boys’ bonds grow as they get older.
Pictured here is baby Virgil being held by his birth sibling Kevin. Kevin was overjoyed to meet his little brother shortly after birth. He immediately felt connected to him. He also quickly bonded with Virgil’s brother Cassius, who was adopted in 2019 (Photo below). Although they are not biologically related, they also started calling each other brothers. Adoptive parents Cate and Ryan and birth mom Sharon are excited to continue to see the boys’ bonds grow as they get older.
At ACFB, we support open adoptions and maintaining sibling connections because it can be beneficial to all members of the adoption triad. If you’re interested in learning more about open adoption, visit our resources page by clicking here!