Are you struggling with deciding to parent your child?

Our objective adoption advisors in Texas are advocates for life. We want young mothers to make choices they are at peace with, whether that means placing their children for adoption or deciding to parent. As impartial advisors, we ask questions, offer information, and shed light on difficult decisions, helping you decide if it’s best to keep the baby or take a different path.

An unplanned pregnancy is a fork in the road of many women’s lives. It is often a place of uncertainty, where you don’t know what is the best path to take. If you find yourself here, it’s OK to take your time to really think through your options. Deciding to parent requires slowing down, asking questions, realistically examining your life and goals, and getting into a new frame of mind. This process takes time and thought.

Important questions to ask yourself before deciding to parent

Perhaps you cannot imagine deciding to parent a child right now, but at the same time, you cannot imagine placing your baby for adoption. When neither choice feels like a perfect choice, it often helps to seek out objective advice from someone with a deep understanding of both options.

Our adoption advisors in Texas can guide you through the decision process, with no pressure to choose adoption or parenting. Our goal is to help you fully understand the realities of all the options before you, so that you alone can come to the right decision for you.

We start with getting to know your current circumstances by asking some of the following questions.

• What is your current financial situation? In the first year of a baby’s life, parents will spend roughly $13,000 to $50,000. If that amount is not in your budget right now, can you find financial support elsewhere, such as from your partner or parents? A Legacy counselor can help you create a budget and financially plan for your baby’s future.
• Do you have health insurance? The average hospital bill for an uncomplicated, uninsured birth begins at around $30,000. Private insurance and Medicaid drastically cut this cost. Before deciding to parent, take steps to obtain the maximum health insurance coverage possible for you and your baby. Our adoption advisors in Texas can help you get started.
• What will your childcare look like? Do you have maternity leave at your job? Are your partner or parents able to care for your child if you need to return to work? If not, are you prepared to pay for childcare? In Texas, infant childcare costs an average of 21% of a family’s income, so you need to explore the real cost of childcare in your area before deciding to keep the baby.
• Do you have supportive people in your life? The old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” is true. Do you have stable, loving and reliable people in your life who will actively support you and your child?

Take time to reflect before choosing to keep the baby or start an adoption plan

Beyond assessing the status of your life, be sure to check your heart. Our Texas adoption agency is a neutral, judgment-free place to work through important questions.

• Are you deciding to parent for yourself, or for someone else in your life?
• What are your hopes and dreams for your future? How might they change?
• What are your hopes and dreams for your child? How can you provide for them?
• Are you comfortable with the sacrifices you’ll need to make if you choose to keep the baby?
• Can you offer a safe, secure, loving home life for a child right now?
• What scares you about placing your baby for adoption?

For many pregnant mothers, deciding whether to parent or place their baby for adoption is an agonizing choice at first. Legacy counselors can meet you at the crossroads, supporting you through the journey until you reach a peaceful destination. Call us today at (817) 784-7579 to reach one of our adoption advisors in Texas, and get support for making an informed decision.