I have found so much information on Adoption the past few days that I just have to share it. Not that I’m actively considering this route for myself and my family, but this blog is not just about me! It is about the information and progress I can push through my community…YOU! So, here is some amazing information I found today about The Cradle, an adoption agency here in my city, Chicago.
From their site:
The Cradle is a private, not-for-profit adoption agency specializing in domestic and international infant adoption. Our mission is to benefit children by providing education, guidance and lifelong support on parenting choices. Our commitment is to serve as a partner in creating and sustaining nurturing families.
One thing that’s hard to wrap your head around though, is that Domestic Adoption, the adoption of children already here in the United States, was almost $11,000 more than international adoptions! BOO! But in light of the purpose of this particular blog, I do want to draw your attention to the Sayer program, which emphasizes and pushes the adoption of African American children. The program is named for NFL Hall of Famer and Cradle adoptive dad, Gale Sayers, and his wife, Ardythe. The program originated in Illinois and currently is only accepting candidates who reside in Illinois.
As an agency, The Cradle does prefer Open Adoption for Domestic adoptions. This means that they prefer the birth parents and the adoptive parents maintain a relationship throughout the life of the child.
Personally, I was never big on the idea of open adoption thing. My original thoughts were something like, “I think that eventually in life, should the child want to know their birth parents, that should be allowed, but to have an ongoing thing, to ME, is kind of like I’m babysitting for you” I do recognize that my feels come weighted down by the baggage of growing up watching Losing Isaiah, and having lived through a similar situation with an infant my husband and I were responsible for. The feeling that erupts when that “birth parent” shows up and wants to be “mom” all of a sudden is like none other…but I’d like to think that I’ve evolved my thinking. This program sounds stellar and they stress that all participants rave about the open adoption process, so I’m pleased to be able to provide my readers with the info. I would also like to express that The Cradle does place children in same-sex and single homes.
WE tv's new original series, Adoption Diaries, explores the process in which privately held open adoptions take place. The series showcases the matching process between couples who, having struggled with infertility, turn to adoption and the brave, expecting mothers whose difficult and selfless decision to place their children for adoption makes it all possible.
Adoption Diaries Premieres Saturday, Sept. 12 at 10p|9c
Thanks MrsMitch! Love this!
After actively trying for 2 years and being AMA (advanced maternal age) my husband and I are contemplating adoption. I felt much like you did about open adoption at first, but in my research I have learned that there is a range of openness in open adoptions. Some are so open there is contact between the bith and adoptive parents and some where after 6 months or a year the contact basically stops or the contact is only through letters sent through the adoption agency and the parties never know last names or addresses.
Some the openness is only before the birth where the birth mother meets and selects the perspecttive adoptive parents. I definately understand all sides of the story though.
Anyway, just wanted to give you that different perspective on open adoptions. Thansk for the work you are doing!