Placing your child with an adoptive family can be a difficult and arduous decision to make. Emotionally preparing to place your child with an adoptive family is a progression. It requires time, preparation, and dedication to coming to the appropriate decision. It takes sacrifice, love, and the knowledge that perhaps someone else can give your child more life opportunities. Deciding to place your child with an adoptive family is sometimes a difficult decision and journey to make. You may find that throughout pre-adoption, adoption, and post-adoption your emotions are harder to control, more sensitive, and easily fatigued. This is normal, and it is nothing to be ashamed of nor embarrassed about.

Preparing yourself emotionally is an important beginning step in the sometimes long adoption process. Not only will you make a very difficult decision, but you should learn to live with and accept that decision. For proper emotional preparation and healing, you will need to deepen your understanding of the basis and reasoning of your decision, your current feelings and emotions, and the path you need to take to accept and move on from the pain.

One important aspect of preparing emotionally is being fully-informed. Misinformation about the adoption process and expectations can add unneeded pain and confusion. Do your research beforehand, talk to others about their experiences, and come to a personal decision. Without knowing all the needed information, you can't weigh your options appropriately.

Each person deals with emotional pain differently. This is one reason it is important to find the right method for you and your situation. In order to emotionally prepare for placing your child, you may need to do some research. The following pages will guide you through finding the perfect support group, how to journal your experience for added emotional healing, how to say goodbye to your child, how to deal with and sort out your feelings of doubt, and how to get the most out of your counseling experience.

Remember that you are not alone. There are people available to support you in whichever decision you decide upon. Don't be afraid to ask questions and voice your concerns. The most important thing is to do what is the best for you and your baby.