6 Tips for Writing a Stellar ‘Dear Expectant Parent’ Letter

Describing your entire life in just a few paragraphs can be daunting! Here are some ideas to help get you started.

Shelley Skuster August 02, 2016

It can be a daunting task to write a letter to the expectant parents making an adoption plan for their baby.

What do you say? How do you put your heart on paper and sum up your family with words on a page?

Here are 6 tips for writing a stellar ‘Dear Expectant Parent’ letter:

Are you ready to pursue adoption? Visit Adoption.org or call 1-800-ADOPT-98 to connect with compassionate, nonjudgmental adoption specialists who can help you get started on the journey of a lifetime.

Be authentic.
1. Be authentic.

Be yourself. Write as if you were talking to the expectant parents face-to-face. Of course it’s nice to highlight the things that make your family wonderful, but remember expectant parents aren’t looking for perfect people; they’re looking for people who are real and relatable . . . a family they feel a connection with.

Proofread
2. Proofread

Look over your letter for any grammatical or spelling errors. You may consider having a trusted friend or family member read your letter beforehand, too.

Show empathy.
3. Show empathy.

Remember, making an adoption plan isn’t easy. Validating the expectant parents’ difficult decision can go a long way. A simple, “We can’t imagine how hard this must be for you,” is a good way to acknowledge their situation.

Be truthful.
4. Be truthful.

Your ‘Expectant Parent’ letter is an introduction to your profile. It’s a great place to let the expectant parents know why you’ve chosen to grow your family through adoption as well as your hopes and dreams for your family moving forward.

Personalize it.
5. Personalize it.

Make your letter personal by using the expectant parents’ names. You may consider handwriting your letter or at least signing your name at the end. Have any current children sign their names as well. Many expectant parents receive stacks of profiles; yours will stand out with the personal touches.

Be concise.
6. Be concise.

The expectant parents are making a difficult decision, and they’re likely reading through dozens of profiles. Keep your letter to a page or less. They’ll be able to get to know you more in your profile book.

For more tips on putting together your adoption profile, click here.

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Shelley Skuster

Shelley is a former award-winning television journalist who traded in suit coats and red lipstick for a messy bun and yoga pants. She's a freelance writer who stays at home with her three daughters who are all ((gasp)) under the age of three and came to her via adoption and birth. She's the woman behind the blog Shelley Writes and she can also be found on facebook and twitter as ShelleySkuster.


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