How could people give away their own flesh and blood? Don't adopted children grow up hating their birth parents? Why does it cost money to adopt a baby?

Good questions that deserve good answers. Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked adoption questions. If you don't find the answers you're looking for here, no sweat! Simply e-mail your questions, and we'll send you more answers!

Q. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is the loving act of biological parents (birth parents) who choose a family to nurture and care for their child. Adoption finds forever homes for children - homes where emotional and financial support create a stable, life-long future for the child.

Q. What does adoption offer birth parents?
A. The Gladney Center for Adoption offers birth parents many options:

• The ability to choose an adoptive family through flexible plans.
• Meeting with the adoptive family and exchange of information through the years.
• Assistance with pregnancy-related needs, including housing and medical care.
• Access to an experienced legal department.
• Education and career planning.
• Emotional support during the adoption planning and beyond.

Q. How can someone give away her baby?
A. Adoption is not about giving away a baby. Adoption is about making a plan for a child's life. Babies deserve stable environments where they can receive the financial and emotional resources to equip them for a bright future. If a young woman is not prepared to parent, adoption is the most loving solution to an unplanned pregnancy. It is a selfless decision that offers her child the love and security of a mother and father.

Q. How can birth parents be certain that the adoptive parents will take care of the child?
A. Parents who adopt through licensed agencies like the Gladney Center for Adoption must prove that they are emotionally and financially ready to parent. They must complete a rigorous home study process to be approved as adoptive parents. Since so many couples want to adopt, Gladney is extremely selective about the couples with whom we choose to work. Also, the birth parents can watch the child grow up through pictures and letters sent from the adoptive parents.

Q. Won't the baby grow up hating the birth parents?
A. Adoptive parents often tell their children, even as babies, of the tremendous love their birth parents have for them. Adopted children grow up with a great deal of respect and a very special love for their birth parents.

Q. Can single persons adopt?
A. Yes, but most of Gladney's single parents adopt internationally. Generally, birth parents are choosing adoption because they want to provide a mom and a dad for their child.

Q. How much does it cost to adopt a baby from Gladney?
A. Domestic adoption fees vary based on the adoptive parents' income. These fees help cover birth parent expenses including medical, legal, counseling, activities, education and living expenses. If a couple is adopting through the international program, they are paying for program fees, legal expenses, as well as fees to the selected country. Adoption fees vary depending on the program selected and the couple's ability to pay.

Q. How much does a birth mother pay to live on Gladney campus?
A. The medical care, counseling services, legal assistance, and room and board are all FREE for the birth mother. The birth mother IS NOT assessed ANY fees for the adoption services she receives.

Q. After a birth mother signs her legal documents, can she change her mind?
A. Throughout the adoption process, the birth mother has the opportunity to re-evaluate her decision and make another plan. However, once she signs the papers, the adoption is irrevocable. In the state of Texas, a birth mother cannot sign until 48 hours after delivery.

Q. What if a birth father does not want to place the baby for adoption?
A. Believe it or not, most of the time the birth father chooses not to be involved in the adoption process. In most cases, (85% of the time) the birth father will leave the birth mother to make this decision on her own. The Gladney Center takes exhaustive measures to locate the birth father and inform him of his rights. In addition, we attempt to educate him and assist him by providing support and/or counseling.

Q. How many babies does Gladney place each year?
A. Gladney places approximately 350 children each year through our domestic and international programs.

Got a question? Need more info?
For questions and additional Adoption Education information, contact Jennifer Lanter for assistance. If she doesn't have the answer or the information you need, she'll find the person who does! E-mail jennifer.lanter@gladney.org, or call (817) 922-5968 or Karin Matula at karin.matula@gladney.org, or call (817) 922-6073.

For more information on the Gladney's programs for pregnant women, adoptive parents, and adopted persons, along with specific information requests and contacts, the fastest way to find what you're looking for is to check the Gladney Center's Web site map.