You have made it this far through your adoption planning, but the journey is not over yet. New Life Adoptions is committed to continue offering support after your adoption is complete. After you you have put your plan into place, your social worker will continue to provide ongoing counseling and support as needed. We also offer ongoing post adoption services for the rest of your adoption journey. Whether you have just placed your child for adoption or you are years down the road, we are here to help you.
Ongoing Grief Counseling
After you sign your voluntary consents to the adoption, your social worker will continue to check in with you. She is there for you in this time to continue to meet with and support you. These meetings look different for each individual. They can be shaped to your unique needs and what you feel is best. We will continue to talk through the grief you are experiencing and how things are going after placement. We can connect you with resources, others who have had a similar experience, and other support that may benefit you along the way. Ultimately, you know yourself best, so as you are working through your grief it is important to continue to use the self-care plan you created and continue to grieve in healthy ways.
Working through your grief will help you to begin the healing process. Over time, your grief will change. You will have good days and you will have bad days, and that is okay! Your grief may never fully go away, but it will lessen and change as time passes. You can continue meeting with your social worker for as long as you see fit.
Ultimately, you know yourself best, so as you are working through your grief it is important to continue to use the self-care plan you created and continue to grieve in healthy ways.
Support from Others Who Get It
You may find as you start sharing your adoption story with people in your life that they may not fully understand your experience. Adoption is complex and everyone’s story is unique. We can connect you with others who have placed a child through New Life as a guide and resource as you navigate the next steps of your journey. New Life Adoptions also loves partnering with other organizations “who just get it” and we have information on resources and groups that you can be a part of in your area.
BraveLove
BraveLove is a national organization that acknowledges and supports birth moms for their decision to place for adoption. They host support groups, retreats, community events, birth mother dinners, and meet ups all over the country, as well as providing a space for online connections with other birth moms. Their website has information on resources for birth mothers, stories of women who have placed, and ways to get connected with their organization. They even have a section on their website that is Just for Birth Moms to keep you connected to others for ongoing support. You can read more about BraveLove here.
Bellis
Bellis is a local organization that offers peer-based support and adoption education. They host monthly Evenings of Adoption Connection for anyone who has a connection to adoption to share about their experience. Bellis also hosts birth mother retreats each year that provide a balance of reflection, peer and professional support, rest, and self-care. To learn more about all that Bellis is doing in Minnesota, check them out here.
MN ADOPT
MN ADOPT is a great resource for any party of adoption. Their HELP Program gives access to support and guidance while also providing resources tailored to you. MN ADOPT provides a large list of adoption competent therapists, as well as adoption support groups. Check out our MN ADOPT blog for more information on their services here!
New Life Adoptions’ Annual Birth Mother Brunch
Coming to this event is a great way to connect with other birth mothers and to share about your adoption journey with people who understand, because they also chose adoption.
Each year, New Life Adoptions hosts a Birth Mother Brunch on National Birth Mother’s Day, the day before Mother’s Day. This event honors birth moms for their sacrificial, loving decision to place their child(ren) for adoption – to celebrate each unique story of adoption. Coming to this event is a great way to connect with other birth mothers and to share about your adoption journey with people who understand, because they also chose adoption.
There are still many other ways to receive ongoing support throughout your lifelong journey. New Life Adoptions’ Post Adoption Department is a great place to start to get your questions answered, get connected to resources, or talk through your adoption experience. We want to continue to support you in the years after your placement.