Today, we’re sharing honest answers to 5 adoption myths about choosing adoption for your baby:

1. Adoption is selfish
This adoption myth is the biggest one out there! Really, adoption is about the least selfish choice that you can make for your child. It doesn’t mean you don’t love your baby. It means the opposite: you love them so much that you want them to have the life they deserve. When you don’t have the needed resources to care for a baby or aren’t ready to become a parent, choosing adoption for your baby is the most selfless thing you can do.

2. I’ll be giving my baby away to strangers
With a modern, open adoption, you have the power to choose your baby’s adoptive parents, and meet them to interview them too. You can pick a family who would raise your baby exactly the way that you wish. You also have the right to decide how much future contact with your child and family as you would like, whether it’s emails, letters, photos, or even visits.

3. I can’t do adoption without my parent’s approval
Some parents don’t understand modern adoption and how it works, so they might get angry and try to change your mind. The truth to this adoption myth is that no matter how young you are, no one can force you to a pregnancy choice, whether it’s parenting, adoption, or abortion. The law is on your side, and your parents typically don’t have rights to your baby. If your parents aren’t supportive, you might try writing down your adoption plan so they can see you’ve put a lot of thought into this.

4. If I use drugs or alcohol, no one will want to adopt my baby
Whatever your life situation is, there are adoptive families ready to provide your baby with a loving home. Lifetime is here to support and help you as you make an adoption plan, even if your baby has been exposed to drugs or alcohol. It’s important that you’re honest with us about any tobacco, drug, or alcohol use during your pregnancy. That way, your doctor is able to best take care of your health, and the health of your baby.

If you’re using drugs and are near your due date, your baby may test positive for drugs at birth. If these cases, the hospital must notify Child Protective Services, and your baby may be placed in foster care. By having an adoption plan in place, you’re able to choose where your baby will go, and the level of contact you want to have with your child as they grow up. So, if you think your baby may test positive for drugs at birth, call us at 1-800-923-6784 for help and info.

5. My baby is almost a year old! It’s too late to do adoption
It is never too late to choose adoption, and you can begin at any time. Maybe you’d thought about adoption and put it on hold. You can still go forward at any time. Even if you’ve been trying to make parenting work and are struggling, it’s not too late. You’re never making a bad choice for your child by loving them enough to give them the life you know they deserve, when you know you can’t provide it.

If you’re thinking of adoption, you can call Lifetime today to learn more: 1-800-923-6784. Contacting us doesn’t mean you HAVE to choose adoption. It just means you’re learning more about it.