Fourth Letter
Expectant mothers who choose to make an adoption plan may qualify for some level of financial assistance during their pregnancy. However, each person's situation and specific needs are different. Your adoption social worker can help you determine what level of assistance you qualify for and deserve. Many expectant mothers qualify for financial assistance to cover basic pregnancy and living expenses, including but not limited to - transportation reimbursement, utility assistance for phone, water, and electricity/gas, maternity clothing and supplements, etc.
It won't cost you anything. If you choose to place your baby for adoption, all of your medical and legal fees will be covered and you may be eligible for financial assistance with other pregnancy-related expenses.
Yes. Even if you don’t know the identity of the birth father, you can still choose to make an adoption plan. However, every adoption situation is different. The adoption social worker you’re assigned to will get to know you and your story first, and then guide you through the process accordingly.
You can make an adoption plan at any point in your pregnancy, even after the baby has been born. But, it's important to start the process as early in your pregnancy as possible. Connecting with those resources will allow you to gain access to important medical services, including prenatal care, to help ensure a healthy pregnancy.
One aspect of your adoption plan is the "Hospital Plan" an outline of how you'd like your hospital stay and delivery to go. You can craft this on your own or with the help of your adoption social worker. But everything is up to you. You’ll be able to choose who comes to the hospital with you, who is in the room with you during delivery, and how much time you’d like to spend with the baby before signing the final papers.
As part of your adoption plan, you'll determine whether or not you’d like to have an open or closed adoption or something in between. Open adoptions may include phone calls, messaging (via social media, email, or text), and/or periodic visits each year. Closed adoptions may include no contact at all or annual updates provided to the birth parent(s) by the adoptive family. Each post-adoption relationship is different and can vary based on what an expectant mother chooses in her adoption plan.
We often hear that making major changes in life requires massive effort or dramatic shifts in behavior. But what if I told you that the key to lasting success might not lie in huge, overwhelming transformations, but in the small habits you build day by day?
When we think about change, we tend to think big: starting a new exercise regimen, overhauling our diets, or embarking on a new career. While those are great goals, they can feel daunting and may even set us up for failure if we bite off more than we can chew. Small habits, however, are different. They’re easy to start, sustainable, and often compound over time in surprising ways.
Take the simple act of drinking more water. It seems trivial, right? But over time, consistently hydrating your body can improve energy levels, skin health, and even mood. Imagine how much healthier you’d feel after a few months of just prioritizing hydration. It’s those small wins that make the bigger picture possible.
The best part about small habits is that anyone can start, no matter where they are in their journey. Here’s how you can begin incorporating small habits into your routine:
Start Small: Choose one habit to focus on at a time. Trying to change everything all at once can be overwhelming. Pick something achievable and build from there.
Consistency is Key: The magic happens when you repeat your habit consistently. Set a goal to complete it every day, or at least a few times a week, and track your progress.
Make It Easy: Set yourself up for success by making the habit as easy as possible. For example, if you’re trying to read more, keep a book by your bed or carry one in your bag to remind you to read a chapter a day.
Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small. Each step forward is a success that moves you closer to your bigger goal.
The best part of small habits is how they snowball. As you build momentum with one habit, you’ll find that other positive changes start to fall into place. A few months into your water-drinking routine, you may feel more energetic and motivated, which might lead you to take up a new fitness goal. Before you know it, small shifts in your routine will have transformed your life.
The key takeaway here is that change doesn’t need to be a big, intimidating challenge. Start small, stay consistent, and let those tiny habits grow into something much bigger over time.