Why do we celebrate a woman’s adoption decision afterward, but hesitate to tell her about adoption beforehand?
In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim explore how outdated assumptions and our own discomfort can keep us from discussing modern adoption in everyday conversations. Just knowing adoption is an option isn’t the same as understanding what it could look like, especially for someone facing an unexpected pregnancy.
Heather shares experiences from her career, including conversations with women who didn’t realize adoption could include choosing a family and staying in touch. Together, Heather and Kim discuss how to share accurate information while respecting privacy, acknowledging adoption’s complexities, and leaving each woman free to make her own decision.
In this episode:
- What people may be imagining when they say, “I could never choose adoption.”
- Why we shouldn’t assume pregnant women have received meaningful adoption information.
- The difference between offering information and applying pressure.
- How to talk about modern adoption honestly, including both connection and grief.
- Practical ways to build awareness in person, on social media, and in everyday life.
Your invitation this week: Share a helpful adoption resource or start a thoughtful conversation. You never know who might need this information or who someone will ask for advice.
Sponsored by the Lifetime Adoption Foundation
This episode of Let’s Talk Adoption is sponsored by the Lifetime Adoption Foundation. The Foundation supports birth mothers who have chosen adoption for their children and provides educational scholarships to those who have placed a child for adoption.
Research mentioned:
Reardon, D. C., Rafferty, K. A., & Longbons, T. (2023). The effects of abortion decision rightness and decision type on women’s satisfaction and mental health. Cureus, 15(1), e34355.
The finding discussed reflects respondents’ descriptions of their abortion decisions; it does not establish that they would have chosen adoption.
Resources mentioned:
24/7 Adoption Information and Assistance: call or text 1-800-923-6784
Free book, “So I Was Thinking About Adoption”: FreeAdoptionBook.com
