Jenna found out that she’s pregnant and after much consideration, has decided to place her baby for adoption. She feels that she isn’t financially suitable to raise a child and she doesn’t feel ready to raise a baby on her own. She works most days as it is and knows she can’t raise her child as well as someone else could. Her parents are upset because they know they have the financial means to help raise Jenna’s child. They have offered to watch her child while she is at work and to help pay for some of her needs. They don’t want her to place her baby for adoption.

Does this situation sound familiar?

Then you may know what it’s like not to receive support from your family for choosing adoption. Although her parents wish to help her and her baby out, Jenna still sees adoption as the best option for her and her child.

At times it may be hard to find support from your family once you decide that adoption is the way to go. It may be hard for them to relate to your situation if it is something they have never experienced themselves. They can’t see things from your viewpoint.

If you find that you aren’t getting the support you need from your family because you’ve decided on the path of adoption, don’t worry, there are other ways to receive that support. You can reach out to an adoption agency, like Birthmother’s Choice. They have a hotline available 24/7 at 1-800-587-3224. Talking to them will help you feel supported and answer any questions you may have. Many adoption agencies will help you through the process of adoption and even afterward, to check in with you and make sure you’re doing okay.

Another path to find support would be to reach out to other birth mothers or parents that have faced unplanned pregnancies and listen to their stories. Talk to them about how they worked through the adoption and what they did to find their own support in times of need. There are even online forums that exist for women in this situation, just sign up and talk to others for support. Many forums will have the chance to post anonymously as well if you aren’t comfortable with talking to strangers and share your story and struggles.

You may be deciding on adoption because you don’t feel financially suitable to raise a child. Maybe the father is no longer in the picture and you don’t want to raise your baby in a single parent home. Maybe you’re just not ready to have a baby. Whatever your reason for wanting to place your baby for adoption, there are ways to find support for your decisions, even if your family won’t provide it.