Placing an Older Child for Adoption

While most adoptions involve placing a newborn or infant, there are many loving reasons a mother may consider placing an older child for adoption as well. Whether she is struggling financially, worries she is unable to be the parent her child needs, or wants to provide her child more than she can currently offer, placing a child for adoption can be one of the most loving things a mother can do. Many birthmothers believe it is not possible to place an older child for adoption and opt instead to place their children in foster care. Here at Building Blocks Adoption Service, we have placed children as old as eight years with loving adoptive families. We want all birthmothers considering adoption for their older children to know not only is it possible to place an older child for adoption, but it is also a great act of love you can do for your child. We are here to help!

The Process of Placing an Older Child for Adoption

The process for placing an older child for adoption is very much similar to the process of placing a newborn or infant. As with any other adoption, birthmothers are still able to select the adoptive family for their older child. They are able to determine how open they would like the adoption to be and what sort of relationship they would like to have with the adoptive family during and after the adoption. All birthmothers, no matter the age of the child they are placing, receive the same support and guidance from Building Blocks Adoption Service throughout the process.

The Challenges of Placing an Older Child for Adoption

While placing infants, even those who have been home with their birthmothers for days, weeks, or even months, is common, placing an older child is less so and often presents unique challenges. Each adoption is handled on a case-by-case basis, but in adoptions involving older children, even greater care must be taken in making sure all parties – mother, child, and adoptive family – are moving forward throughout the process in the best way possible. For the older child being placed for adoption, particular care must be taken to ensure they transition well from their birth family to their adoptive family. Starting as young as two years old, children begin forming strong interpersonal attachments and establishing behavioral patterns. Both of these can make adoption for an older child more difficult and require particular care be paid to help the child settle in with their adoptive family.
For the birthmother, regardless of the reasons she is considering placing her older child for adoption, a mother’s bond with her child is one of the most powerful human connections on the planet. Birthmothers who place their older child for adoption typically need more emotional support as they move through the adoption process. Understanding these emotional difficulties of placing an older child for adoption, Building Blocks Adoption Service is here to provide as much support as birthmothers and their children may need.

Siblings and Older Children

Because of the multi-faceted difficulties placing an older child for adoption presents, many adoptive families are more inclined to adopt an older child if one or more of their siblings are also being placed for adoption. Keeping siblings together, in what is often referred to as a sibling group, through adoption can mitigate many of the issues of placing an older child for adoption. In these cases, the sibling provides a sense of normalcy and safety to an older child, not to mention the benefit of maintaining the intense bond siblings share. Siblings placed for adoption together often feel more secure and are able to help each other adjust to their new family.
Are you considering placing an older child for adoption? Building Blocks Adoption Service is here to guide you throughout the process. We are here for you.