What do you need to understand about openness in adoption when you are first considering adopting?  In this course, we talk with Lori Holden, author of The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption, blogger, and adoptive mom.     

This course covers the following topics:

  • When people first start thinking about adoption they may come in with some preconceived ideas about open adoption. 
    • Open adoption is basically co-parenting.
    • Open adoption will make me feel less like the mom. I will feel like I’m competing for the role of mom. 
    • Open adoption is confusing to kids.
    • Open adoption means I’m adopting the whole family even though all I really want to adopt is the baby. 
    • Open adoption is messy. Open adoption is complicated.
    • Open adoption is not worth the trouble.
  • How to maintain an attitude of openness.
  • Is contact exclusively through the adoption agency or adoption attorney?
  • Helping extended adoptive family members come to terms with openness.
  • How to handle if your child says “you’re not my real mom”.
  • Slightly annoying grandmother rule.
  • Importance of birth siblings. How the existence of children that the birth parents are parenting affects adopted children.
  • How to honor the spirit of openness without contact.


*This course includes a 1-hour conversational audio lesson, a 10-question quiz, and a certificate of completion with the successful completion of the quiz at 80%. 

Your course will remain active for 180 days from purchase date.

  • $20.00

    What You Need to Know About Open Adoption
    When You're Thinking About Adopting

    Purchase Course

This course is included in the following state packages.

See links for how it aligns with each state's regulatory requirements.

Illinois packages, including: Domestic Infant Adoption, International Adoption, and Special Needs Foster Care Adoption
 Important Information for agencies on Illinois Adoption Requirements.
Louisiana Domestic Infant Adoption
 Important Information for agencies on Louisiana Adoption Requirements.
Nebraska packages including, Domestic Infant Adoption, International Adoption, and International Adoption from China
 Important Information for agencies on Nebraska Adoption Requirements.
Oregon Domestic Adoption Important Information for agencies on Oregon Adoption Requirements.
Virginia Domestic Adoption Important information for agencies on Virginia's core competencies.
Washington Domestic Adoption
 Important Information for agencies on Washington Adoption Requirements.

For information specific to your state, go to the Child Welfare Information Gateway State Search site to find information on each state's requirements on background checks, consent to adoption, home study requirements, post-adoption contact agreements, adoption expense regulations, use of advertising, and who may adopt or place a child for adoption.

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