Becoming a parent is a huge, life-changing choice. Sometimes an unexpected pregnancy comes at a time where you\u2019re simply too young to make that commitment. For example, many pregnant teenagers want to be able to complete their education without the added responsibility of being a parent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. You\u2019re just not ready to be a parent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Again, being a parent is a huge decision. Even if you\u2019re older, there\u2019s nothing wrong with not being ready to parent a child. Admitting that you\u2019re not ready to be a parent doesn\u2019t make you a bad person. Choosing adoption is a loving, mature decision that you should be proud of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. You\u2019re under financial stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Parenting is expensive \u2013 it\u2019s a fact of life. In fact, the USDA released a report that estimated that the average American family spends around $12,980 EACH YEAR on a child. You want your child to have the best possible life. Sometimes, birthmothers are in a situation where they simply can\u2019t afford to parent a child. Whether you\u2019ve already got children or this is your first baby, the financial impact is a major consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. You don\u2019t have any support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a single parent, it can be extremely difficult to raise a child on your own. If the birth father isn\u2019t around, and your family lives far away, and your friends have their own lives, you\u2019d be completely on your own with a new baby to care for. Without the emotional and physical support of \u201cyour village\u201d, you may not be able to parent your child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. You don\u2019t have a stable home environment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some birth mothers don\u2019t have a stable home environment \u2013 whether they don\u2019t have a permanent home, or they\u2019re in a job that requires extensive travel, or they\u2019re incredibly busy with their career and simply won\u2019t be home very often. If you know you won\u2019t be home, or that you\u2019ll be moving often, that may make it difficult or even impossible to raise a child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. You have important goals for your future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ask yourself the popular interview question: \u201cWhere do you see yourself in five years?\u201d Are you still in college and expect to be working? Are you on a rigorous career path? While it\u2019s not impossible to achieve your goals and parent a child, it\u2019s definitely much more difficult to achieve your goals while being a new parent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Your family doesn\u2019t approve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, birth mothers choose adoption because they know their family wouldn\u2019t approve of them becoming parents. Especially if you still live with your parents, family approval can be a massive factor in choosing adoption. Remember, adoption proceedings aren\u2019t public information. Sometimes adoption allows for birth mothers to place their child with a loving family and avoid letting the family know about the pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. You\u2019ve decided against other options<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some birth mothers know they\u2019re not ready to parent a child, but they\u2019re also sure that terminating the pregnancy is not an option. You know what\u2019s best for you and your baby, and if you know that abortion isn\u2019t a choice for you, adoption is your best option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. You\u2019re not healthy enough to be a parent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes health issues make it difficult or impossible to be a parent. If you\u2019re in poor physical or mental health, you may not be able to properly care for your child. Adoption allows you to give your baby the life that you physically aren\u2019t able to provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. You want a better life for your child<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You want the best for your baby. Sometimes, birth mothers are in a situation where they know they can\u2019t give their baby the future they deserve. Choosing to place your child with a loving adoptive family allows your baby to have every opportunity he or she deserves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re pregnant and not sure what to do, please remember that \u201cadoption is an option\u201d \u2013 it\u2019s a choice that you make for very specific reasons. You\u2019re making a decision \u2013 both for your child and for yourself \u2013 that\u2019s based in love and compassion. As we always say, you\u2019re not \u201cgiving up\u201d your child for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":588,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-educational"],"yoast_head":"\n