How to give up a child for adoption

You’re not “giving up” your child—you’re giving them a loving family and a bright future.

Every May, we set aside one day to celebrate mothers and what they mean to us—but motherhood comes in many forms. From biological and surrogate to foster and adoptive, no mom is exactly the same. But no matter their differences, there’s one thing every mother has in common: endless, selfless love. And there’s nothing that shows love more than choosing your child’s happiness above everything else.

That love is why “how to give a child up for adoption” is a misleading phrase. You’re not “giving up”—in fact, you’re doing the exact opposite. You’re giving another woman a chance to be a mom—a chance that she might not have without you. And you’re giving your unborn child a family that will love them with all their hearts. This is one of the greatest gifts a mother can give to her child.

Trust yourself—you know what’s right for you and your baby

Many young mothers feel pressured to put the reality of their lives aside and raise a baby that they don’t have the resources to care for. Trust your feelings—if you know you’re not ready to raise a child, that’s okay. It’s okay not to have all the answers. It’s okay to need help. And, most importantly, it’s okay to choose adoption. If it feels right, if you know this is a better plan for your child, then you should feel comfortable and confident in choosing it. 

Once you’ve chosen adoption, you can find comfort knowing you will have the support you need throughout the process. Should you choose adoption, you can find peace in knowing there are families out there preparing their home and hearts for a child. You can spend the rest of your pregnancy resting and working with your adoption social worker to find adoptive parents that will give your baby every ounce of love they have. 

Walk this path with a guardian angel

Adoption isn’t a journey you take alone. As an expecting mother, it can be hard to know where to turn for help—but you’ve got A Guardian Angel with you. We care for expecting mothers through all parts of the adoption process. From medical care and housing to legal assistance and counseling, we honor your decision by offering the help you need before, during and after your pregnancy. 

A Guardian Angel is dedicated to helping you find an adoptive family who will care for your baby as much as you do. Our adoption facilitators will be with you for every part of your journey—step by step, helping you with love, care and understanding. We put all our effort into matching birth parents and adoptive parents—and ensuring that you feel completely confident in your choice. 

Adoption doesn’t have to mean goodbye

Many expecting mothers find it hard to place a child up for adoption because it seems like saying goodbye before they’ve even said hello. But while adoption may seem like the end of a relationship, it can be the beginning. One of the many benefits of adoption is that you get to choose exactly how much contact you have with your baby and their adoptive family. Semi-open adoptions or open adoptions let you maintain a relationship with your child—and no matter what kind of adoption you choose, your comfort level is always what’s most important.

Many birth mothers find themselves warmly welcomed into the family that adopts their baby—they’re essentially “adopted” into the family themselves. You’ll be able to feel the boundless gratitude these parents have for the priceless gift you’ve given them. Whether you connect through letters and pictures or birthdays and holiday, you can still be part of your baby’s life after choosing adoption. 

Your cherished gift is worth celebrating

Birth Mother’s Day is held on every Saturday before Mother’s Day. This Birth Mother’s Day, we celebrate the thousands of women who made the ultimate act of love for their children by choosing adoption. These mothers didn’t give their babies up—they gave them more. They also gave other women the priceless gift of motherhood. If you are pregnant and considering adoption, join these women and choose to give your baby more. There will be A Guardian Angel by your side every step of the way.