Placing Your Older Child For Adoption
Placing Your Older Child For Adoption
If you have a child between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old, it’s not too late to make an adoption plan for them! We have helped hundreds of mothers safely and legally place their older children with loving adoptive families.
Why choose adoption for your older child?
As a mother, you hold the primary responsibility for your child’s safety, health, and well-being. Parenting is challenging for everyone, no matter their circumstances. If you feel you are not in the best position to raise your child, choosing adoption can be a mature, responsible, and deeply selfless decision. It can give both you and your child the opportunity for a brighter and more stable future.
There are many reasons why a mother may consider placing an older child for adoption. You may be facing overwhelming challenges, struggling financially, living in an unstable or unsafe environment, or lacking the support system you thought you could depend on. Whatever your situation may be, it takes incredible strength, love, and courage to make this decision. Adoption is not about giving up — it’s about giving your child the chance at the life you want for them.
Sibling Adoption
If you have multiple children and are considering placing a sibling group, no matter how old they are, we can talk you through your options. Furthermore, rest assured that your children will be placed with a family together. An ethical adoption professional would never wish to split up siblings. We work with many adoptive families who would be overjoyed to welcome siblings into their home.
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How To Put An Older Child Up For Adoption | Adopting an Older Child
Step 1: Contact an older child adoption professional
The best way to start the adoption process is to contact an adoption professional who can help you. The coordinators at Private Child Adoption Agency are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer your questions, help you find a family, and guide you through the process. Even if you’re not sure about your decision, our coordinators will be happy to explore your options with you and help you make the best decision for you and your child.
Sibling Adoption
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Step 2: Choose an adoptive family - families looking to adopt an older child
We’ll ask you some questions in order to present you with a selection of families whose adoption preferences align with yours. You will have plenty of wonderful families to choose from — we have so many hopeful adoptive parents who would be thrilled to welcome an older child into their hearts and homes.
Each family we present you with will have a completed home study, which means they are legally approved to adopt a child. The process includes an FBI background check and an in-depth analysis of the family and all aspects of their life. Furthermore, a family must be specially approved by their home study social worker to adopt an older child. You can be sure that whatever family you choose is completely prepared to adopt and that their home is a safe and stable environment for your child to grow and thrive.
Step 3: Choose your post-placement communication level.
The amount of communication you’d like to have with your child and the adoptive family after the adoption is entirely up to you. You can have a closed adoption with no contact, a semi-open adoption with limited contact, or a fully open plan with regular communication and in-person visits. We will only present you with families who are open to the level of communication you want. Remember, you can always change your mind about this at any point in the process.
Step 4: Connect with a local older child adoption professional.
When you are ready to move forward with the adoptive family you’ve chosen, we will connect you with one of our trusted adoption professionals who lives near you, usually an adoption attorney or social worker. This person will meet with you in person to go over the specific laws in your state, help you with any paperwork that’s needed, and answer any questions you have. Don’t worry, there is no cost to you; the adoptive family will pay all fees associated with this process. This person is your advocate and is hired for you, so never hesitate to lean on them whenever you need to.
If you’d like to meet the adoptive family before placement, your adoption professional will arrange a time for you to meet them in person. This will give you the opportunity to see how the family interacts with your child and give you a better sense of who they are. The family will always travel to you and work around your schedule for this meeting.
Step 5: Place your child with the family
When you’re ready to place your child with the family, your adoption professional will work with you to put together a plan for your child that will allow them to safely and comfortably transition into the care of the adoptive family. You will be involved in this process every step of the way. After placement, you can communicate with the adoptive family and your child as often as you and the family are comfortable with.
Step 6: Receive post-placement adoption financial assistance
As a birthmother, you might be eligible for a certain amount of financial assistance from the adoptive family to get you back on your feet after placement. Depending on the laws in your state, you could get help with bills, groceries, counseling, and more. Your adoption professional will work with you to put together a financial assistance plan that will allow you to move forward in the best way possible after placement.
Older Child Adoption Transition Plan
When you feel ready to move forward with placing your child for adoption, your local adoption professional will help you create a personalized transition plan. This plan is designed to ensure the process is as smooth and supportive as possible for both you and your child. The details depend on your child’s age, their needs, and what your adoption professional believes is appropriate. Generally, the older the child, the more gradual and in-depth the transition process will be.
A typical transition plan may begin with a meeting between you, your child, and the adoptive family. In some cases, your child may also spend time with the adoptive family through visits or overnight stays before placement. Once everyone feels comfortable and prepared, your child will officially move from your care directly into the adoptive family’s home — without the need for foster care.
To support your child emotionally, counseling is often provided during and after the transition. As the child’s mother, you are also eligible for counseling services, all of which are covered by the adoptive family.
It’s important to remember that you remain in control throughout the process. You have the right to change your mind at any time before signing the final placement paperwork. Nothing is official until then.
Frequently Asked Questions about Putting Your Older Child for Adoption
Can you give an older child up for adoption?
Absolutely. It’s never too late to make an older child adoption plan. If your child is anywhere from 6 months to 5 years of age, we would be happy to help you find a safe and loving family to place them with.
How much does it cost to put my older child up for adoption?
Putting your older child up for adoption does not cost you anything. The adoptive family is responsible for all adoption-related costs.
How long will it take to put my older child up for adoption?
This process will move entirely at your pace. There will be no rush, no judgment, and no pressure. Nothing will ever move faster than you’re comfortable with. On the other hand, if you want to place your older child as fast as possible, the entire process can be completed quickly, depending on your situation and what type of transition plan is needed for your child.
Does my child’s father have to agree to the adoption?
The level of consent required by your child’s biological father depends on state law. The adoption professional we connect you with can explain to you what is needed in your state.
Can I get financial help after putting my older child up for adoption?
Depending on the laws in your state, birthmothers may be eligible for financial assistance in the form of reimbursement for pregnancy expenses. It’s usually provided in a lump sum. If you are in need of counseling during or after the adoption, that will be paid for by the adoptive family.
Why choose Private Child Adoption Agency?
At Private Child Adoption Agency, we believe that birth mothers are true angels who bring miracles into the lives of others. Our name reflects the deep respect and gratitude we hold for every woman who chooses adoption. With over 25 years of experience, our dedicated team has been honored to guide women nationwide through their adoption journeys. Over the years, we’ve helped hundreds of mothers place their children with loving, supportive, and deserving families.
As a prospective birth mother working with us, you’ll receive:
A safe, supportive space to explore adoption — with no judgment, no pressure, and no rush.
24/7 support from our compassionate adoption coordinators, ready to assist you whenever you need.
The freedom to choose from hundreds of adoptive family profiles to find the perfect fit for your child.
Local, trusted adoption professionals who will personally walk you through every step of the process.
A safe, ethical, and legal adoption experience, built on respect and care.