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Ron & Kristine
We are not quite sure why, but after all the warnings we were given about
being cautious and protecting ourselves from dishonest and unscrupulous
birthmothers, our experience with the birthmothers who contacted us through the
ParentProfiles.com website was just the opposite. Perhaps it is because a different
sort of birthmother contacted us than may be available in other types of
adoption situations. Many of the young women that we talked with were college
students who had a lot in their more ...
Unplanned Pregnancy, Abortion, Adoption Options
While the two main choices for an unplanned pregnancy are parenting or placing, there are many other, lesser-known options to consider. One of the beautiful things about this decision-making process is that you can make the decision that you feel is best for you and your situation. You have that power. You have the ability to study your options and make an informed decision instead of making a choice on a whim and regretting it later. Throughout this section you'll find more information about the following options that you may want to consider:
Guardianship: Guardianship means that a guardian is appointed to make decisions on behalf of the child. If you choose guardianship, it's important to know that your parental rights aren't severed. Many choose the guardianship route when they want to eventually parent but can't currently care for their children. However, once you're ready to parent, you can ask a judge to terminate the guardianship.
Legal Custody: Guardianship and legal custody are very similar. The only major difference is the court that grants them. While guardianship is granted through a probate court, legal custody is granted through a family court. A legal custodian, much like a guardian, has the ability to make decisions that affect the child, but still do not have parental rights.
Kinship Care: Kinship care means that someone with close familial ties--parent, sibling, grandparent, or an extended relative--is caring for the child. Again, parental rights aren't terminated until a judge does so because the parent requested it or the child isn't safe or cared for properly.
Making Legal Choices: Throughout this process, it's important to make legal choices. If you feel you need to relinquish your child, there are ways to do so legally. There are safe havens across the country that allow you to leave your child without repercussions or extensive questioning. They consist of fire and police stations and hospitals. When children are surrendered, they become wards of the state and are placed in foster care unless they are adopted immediately.
Abortion: Another option you can consider is abortion. Abortion is when a pregnancy is terminated earlier than delivery. Before deciding if abortion is the right choice for you, study your state's laws on the subject. Each state has varying abortion laws and legal timeframes. This section will discuss abortion techniques and risks.
You should never feel pressured or coerced into making a decision. It's important to make this decision for yourself and your child, because you're the one who has to live with the decision every day. Remember that the best decision you could ever make is an informed decision.
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