Hi! 18 and in need of some advice!!

Hi Jess! I don’t have anyone specifically to recommend but your feelings about this are so valid. This must be such a difficult decision to make and I can’t imagine what you are going through. I’m a mother via adoption and I only have the kindest thoughts about my birthmother and all birthmothers. I know you mentioned a private adoption. I used an agency and I know my birthmother was offered counseling as well as financial support. Is any of this being offered to you? It’s important to acknowledge your feelings in all of this and to take care of yourself. I have an open adoption with my birthmother because it is what she wanted and I love that we have this relationship. It gives her the ability to see how her son is doing. Are you able to do an open adoption? It always favors you and your needs. I don’t know if any of this helps but message me if you have any other questions. And I’m thinking of you and this journey you are on…

Hi Jess. The only advice I would like to share is to ask for a therapist recommendation from your caseworker, and request that they be well-versed in the adoption “constellation.” If this isn’t a service provided through and encouraged by your agency or adoption professional, it is a red flag. Sending you love & courage.

Hi Jess,
I was in a very similar boat to you. I personally am 23 and knew the couple I chose in the private adoption . I was thinking I was not prepared to have a child, and up until the day he was born I thought I was going to go through with it and I didn’t, and chose to parent . My family was supportive during the whole thing and they are still, and that’s how I really did it. They went and got all the stuff I needed and a registry set up and my son is 5 months now and i know this was the best decision I could have ever made, if you need anyone to talk to im here .