--- title: Open Adoption - Building a Relationship with Adoptive Parents description: Open adoption is an adoption where the birth family and adoptive family have an on-going relationship throughout the child's life. image: https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hubfs/images/adoption_4.jpg --- [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png) ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F258417%2Fopen-adoption-building-a-relationship-with-adoptive-parents%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on twitter](https://7528304.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528304/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F258417%2Fopen-adoption-building-a-relationship-with-adoptive-parents%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F258417%2Fopen-adoption-building-a-relationship-with-adoptive-parents%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) ![holding-hands-918990_960_720-2](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hs-fs/hubfs/holding-hands-918990_960_720-2.jpg?width=959&name=holding-hands-918990_960_720-2.jpg "holding-hands-918990_960_720-2") # Family Connections, Inc. Blog #### Let us help you. # [Open Adoption - Building a Relationship with Adoptive Parents](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/bid/258417/open-adoption-building-a-relationship-with-adoptive-parents) ![close](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2432204/AK-UI%20Builder/close-button.svg) ### Categories - [adopt a child (88)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adopt-a-child) - [adoptees (18)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptees) - [adopting older children (6)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adopting-older-children) - [adopting the older child (5)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adopting-the-older-child) - [adoption (230)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption) - [adoption attorneys (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-attorneys) - [adoption choices (71)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-choices) - [adoption costs (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-costs) - [adoption dossier (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-dossier) - [adoption from foster care (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-from-foster-care) - [adoption help (86)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-help) - [adoption information (49)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-information) - [adoption law (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-law) - [adoption options (73)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-options) - [adoption paperwork (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-paperwork) - [adoption profile (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-profile) - [adoption questions (17)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-questions) - [adoption resources (24)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-resources) - [adoption services (97)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-services) - [adoption support (18)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-support) - [adoptive families (43)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-families) - [adoptive family (40)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-family) - [adoptive parent (39)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-parent) - [adoptive parents (13)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-parents) - [affording adoption (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/affording-adoption) - [Belize Adoption (9)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/belize-adoption) - [Binghamton (36)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/binghamton) - [birth families (15)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-families) - [birth family (11)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-family) - [birth mother (86)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-mother) - [birth parent (72)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-parent) - [Bulgaria Adoption (10)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/bulgaria-adoption) - [creating a profile (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/creating-a-profile) - [domestic adoption (106)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/domestic-adoption) - [expedited (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/expedited) - [families waiting to adopt (20)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/families-waiting-to-adopt) - [Family Connections, Inc. 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** - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F258417%2Fopen-adoption-building-a-relationship-with-adoptive-parents) - [**](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F258417%2Fopen-adoption-building-a-relationship-with-adoptive-parents) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/bid/258417/open-adoption-building-a-relationship-with-adoptive-parents) - [**](https://plus.google.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F258417%2Fopen-adoption-building-a-relationship-with-adoptive-parents) Written by Family Connections on July 02, 2023 ![open adoption](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hs-fs/file-18150592-jpg/images/ss_home_page.jpg?width=205&height=169&name=ss_home_page.jpg)  Open adoption is an [adoption option](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/im-pregnant/adoption-options/) where the birth family and adoptive family have an on-going relationship throughout the child's life.  The extent of the relationship is determined by the birth parent.   The initial thoughts of an open adoption relationship may be scary for both the birth parent and adoptive parents but as a relationship builds between the two families, the openness becomes comfortable.  They come together as strangers, develop a loving and respectful relationship over time and become bonded together forever by their love for their child.   Birth parent(s) wishing for an open adoption will consider adoptive families who also hope for an open relationship.  All families waiting to adopt with Family Connections, Inc. are hoping for an open adoption.  [Click here to view Family Connections' waiting adoptive families](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/waiting-families/).  The birth parent(s) will first review family profiles of adoptive parents (booklets of pictures and information regarding the adoptive family).  The birth parent(s) will then ask to meet one or two of those families.  Family Connections will then arrange for the birth family and adoptive family (and social workers from the agency) to meet over lunch or dinner.     Both the birth parent(s) and adoptive parents share the same initial thoughts as they are considering an open adoption relationship.  As they meet for the first time, both the birth parent and adoptive parents have the same worries and they wonder ...   #### **Initial Nervousness of a Birth Parent:** - Will the adoptive parents like me? - Will I like the adoptive parents? - What will we talk about? - Will the adoptive parents honor my wishes for an open adoption? - Will I feel comfortable with the adoptive parents? - Will my child be glad that I have remained in their life? - Will I be able to handle visiting my child in his/her family? (if visitation is wanted by the birth parent)   #### **Initial Anxiety of Adoptive Parents:** - Will the birth parent(s) like me? - Will I like the birth mother and/or birth father? - What will we talk about? - Will the birth parent(s) honor her/his plan for an open adoption? - Will we feel comfortable with birth parent(s)? - How can I support my child's on-going relationship with his/her birth parent(s)?   After these initial meetings with adoptive parents, the birth parent(s) will decide which family they wish to make an adoption plan with.  Then the birth family and adoptive family will build a relationship which will continue to evolve over time.  Depending upon time and the birth parent(s) wishes, the birth family and adoptive family may have additional meetings before the child is born.  Then, if the birth parent wants, the adoptive family and and the birth mother can share time together at the hospital.  After adoptive placement, the relationship between the two families will continue to grow.    In New York State, birth parents may define their wishes for post-adoption contact with the adoptive family in a legal Post Adoption Contact Agreement that is court enforceable.  The Agreement specifies the type, amount, and time of post-adoption contact including the provision of pictures and letters to the birth parent(s) and face-to-face visitation (if wanted) between the birth parent(s) and adoptive family. This Post Adoption Contact Agreement details the minimal amount of contact between the two families.  The birth family and adoptive family may have additional contact if wanted.  Typically, the type and amount of post-adoption contact comes out of the relationship built between the birth family and adoptive family.       To learn more about open adoption and other adoption options, please contact Dan or Angela at 1-607-756-6574 or [dan@adoptfamilyconnections.org](mailto:dan@adoptfamilyconnections.org).  You can also download An Adoption Guide by clicking below.  All information remains confidential. We look forward to supporting your adoption plans.     [![Download A Free Adoption Guide for Birth Mothers](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/159841/21c8f748-0d7f-4d60-88a9-27d634f14b47.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/159841/21c8f748-0d7f-4d60-88a9-27d634f14b47) ![Subscribe](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2432204/99%20Template%20Pack/Background%20Images/message.svg "Subscribe") ### Subscribe to Stay Connected ### Let Us Know What You Thought about this Post. Put your Comment Below. ### You may also like: ## [Adoption Home Study Visit and What to Expect](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/adoption-home-study-visit-and-what-to-expect) Understand and prepare for your adoption home study visit to ensure a smooth adoption process. ## [Open Adoption vs. Closed Adoption: Understanding the Difference](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/open-adoption-vs.-closed-adoption-understanding-the-difference) What is the difference between open and closed adoptions ? ## [Ways to Discuss Adoption with Your Child](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/engaging-ways-to-discuss-adoption-with-kids) Discover effective strategies for sharing the story of adoption with your children, ensuring a nurturing and open family... ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/2432204/hubfs/99%20Template%20Pack/newsletter_bg.jpeg?width=2000&name=newsletter_bg.jpeg) ## Subscribe to Stay Connected There is always more to learn when it comes to adoption! ### Subscribe to Email Updates    [I'm Pregnant](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/im-pregnant/) / [Waiting Families](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/waiting-families/) / [I Want to Adopt](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/) / [Resources](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/resources/) / [Our Staff](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/our-staff/) / [Contact Us](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/contact-us/) / [Blog](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/)    Call Today!  607-756-6574   © 2019 Family Connections, Inc. 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