I wanted to know can you explain to me what open adoption is

Open adoption is an adoption where all parties (the birthfamily, the adoptive family, and the adoptee) stay in contact with each other, usually with visitation, letters, phone calls, etc being arranged by those involved.

Basically, it's where the adoptive family allows the birth family, usually/especially the birthmother access to and information about the child. Some open adoptions have visitation, some don't. Some only have letters a couple times a year, some have a combination of both. It really depends on what is agreed upon by the people involved.

Does that answer your question?

Jazzygirl74,

My husband and I adopted our son through open adoption. Synnen is correct with the above. The Birthparents and adoptive parents agree to what they are comfortable with in terms of ongoing contact after placement of the child. In our case, we visit with our son's birthmother (and her family) and the birthfather's teenage daughters twice a year and send pictures. The birthfather wanted NO contact.

It really has worked out well for us. I have a resource to go to if I have questions about my son's health concerns (i.e.: allergies, etc). We also have an "additional" family that we love and that love us. We are looking to adopt again this year... God willing... :)

Let me know if you have any questions... take care.