I already had two kids as a single mom when I found out I was pregnant. I don’t believe in abortion, so I knew pretty much right away that it was going to have to be an adoption.
I heard about The Cradle on TV, and I liked what I learned about open adoptions. I just couldn’t imagine knowing I had a daughter out there and not knowing how she was, what kind of person she was, if she was being treated like she was supposed to be treated, or being raised right.
My adoption counselor at The Cradle was great. She was very supportive and did not pressure me. She was really there for me and for my daughter.

An open adoption
Twelve years later, Delaney, my daughter, and I still talk. My relationship with Laura, her mom, is great too. I couldn’t imagine anyone better raising my daughter. Her family keeps me up to date on everything she’s going through, and we talk quite a bit.
The most rewarding part of the process has been seeing how much Delaney’s parents and family love her, what a good job they’re doing raising her, and that she’s happy.

Advice
Adoption for me meant knowing I was not able to raise a child properly and someone else was. Love is a lot, but the child needs more than love. If you don’t think you can give the child everything it needs, then adoption is a great way to go.
At first, I was worried about being judged. But I knew I made the best decision for my daughter, and if other people aren’t in your shoes, then they can’t really say anything about it.
When I first chose adoption, I was worried that Delaney might not be well taken care of. Everyone is going to have that worry. But with open adoption you can be involved and you can know how the child is being raised. So you can be sure she is properly cared for.
I would say that giving up a child for adoption is one of the hardest decisions you ever have to make…but in the end, for me at least, it was the best one. I couldn’t imagine having decided anything else.