MYTH 1: There are more families waiting to adopt than there are available babies
TRUTH: Bethany Christian Services has slow times and busy times. We need couples interested in growing their families through adoption to be ready when the busy times come. We never want to tell a birthmother that we do not have a waiting family that fits her desires for her child.

MYTH 2: You cannot adopt if you have biological children
TRUTH: Actually, a birthmother sometimes expresses a preference for a family with children because she desires her child to be raised with siblings. Every birthmother is different and has different desires for her child. You may be just the family a birthmother is seeking!

MYTH 3: An adoptive couple can only adopt a child of their same racial background
TRUTH: An adopted child and the adoptive parents can be of different racial backgrounds. Part of the process used to prepare a couple for adoption explores issues of race. Couples are encouraged to talk with family and friends about these issues and decide what would be best for their family.

MYTH 4: We could get a drug addicted baby since we won't know anything about the birthmother's history.
TRUTH: Bethany gathers as much information about the birthmother's social and medical history as possible and shares that information with the prospective adoptive couple. Though there are always some unknowns with adoption, we do our best to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.

MYTH 5: I heard that most adoptions are open adoptions - doesn't that mean the birthmother could walk in and out of our lives at will?
TRUTH: Most adoptions are open to some degree. Some birthmothers desire only pictures and letters each year while others request some visits. Visits can be facilitated through the agency with no identifying information (last names, addresses, etc.) being shared. Some families have ongoing, open relationships with birthparents where identifying information is shared. As a prospective adoptive couple, you will become educated about open adoption and will explore the levels of openness with which you would be comfortable.

Learn more about God's wonderful gift of adoption! Call 269.372.8800.