LOOKING for parents...

I would contact agencies and attorneys in the area you're interested in. The adoption.com site has resources under "Professionals", and your local phone book will also provide some resources. The most important thing I think is to get plenty of references from other birthmoms. Ask each agency/attorney to provide you a list. Also check with the BBB. This is so important, because you will need to get the proper counseling and representation. Don't shortchange the importance of this process, because it will save you so much pain and anguish later. Best wishes to you!

You can also contact local attorneys with experience in domestic parental placement. The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys keeps its' member list online - just google it. You can search by state, then narrow by city. Call at least three, ask their experience in domestic parental placement over the past 2 years or so and ask to meet with them. Avoid any attorney who makes you feel pressured to choose a particular family, to choose adoption in general, etc. They are advocating for you only in this case. If you choose to parent, this should be fine with them. Most will waive their fees BTW. Also, most of the 'major' adoption sites (including the site that sponsors this forum) have listings of paparents by state, you might look at profiles there. PM me if you'd like a list of some of the ones I've seen that are pretty popular. This forum is not a place though where paparents can connect with you - it's strictly against the TOS even as a PM and anyone who is discovered doing this can be banned. Best of luck, Regina, AMom to Ryan Joshua Thomas

Regina is right about the foundation of this forum. We also cannot publicize any information about specific agencies. However, information regarding specific agencies may be passed via pm (private messages). I live in DuPage county and know several families that have adopted through several different local agencies. If you would like the names of these agencies, please feel free to send me a private message.

You can also contact the state's licensing office and get a list of agencies licensed in Illinois. Warmly,

Please do not use the message boards to find possible adoptive parents for your child. Go to an agency asap and work with them to assure that you and your child get everything you need and that the parents have been screened properly! Good luck Aimee

I wasn't looking here for parents...just a kick in the right directions to try to find a site where to find parents in such areas...THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I am not a young uneducated woman!!:mad: :mad:

I have to agree, Aimee. She wasn't looking for parents, just direction in how to find people in her area to help her with her adoption plan and connect with paparents. Regina, AMom to Ryan Joshua Thomas

I did not mean for you to think that I thought you were not educated. I was actually posting that more to the people that posted their adoption lawyers information not to belittle you in anyway. I agree that finding good resources is very important. Which is what I was trying to convey..I am very sorry if I offended you in any way it was not my intention in the least. I was more upset with the post right before mine. I am so sorry again....I wish you all the luck in the world. I was adopted in 71, just found my birthmom after searching for almost 18 years. After meeting with her I can so much more understand how hard all this is. Sorry again, Aimee

Having conversations on threads does get a little confusing with so many voices, and it's understandable how posts can get crossed. One thing that can be done to reduce confusion is the use the "Quote" more often (I know I often forget to), as it will allow readers to see what you are responding to. It seems that the post you refer to might have been deleted by administration anyway, since I don't now see any reference to individual attorneys.

Good point ! I need to remember to do that. Actually two posts were deleted, both from the person "advertising" that they were adopting. I admit I didnt clarify. I certainly did not mean to make anyone upset or to make anyone think that they were not educated. I am sorry I just hate to see potential adoptive parents looking for potential birthparents on line, maybe I shouldnt care but it bothers me. I just wanted to make sure that the original poster got all the support she so rightly deserves during this time in her life, whether that be to place her child for adoption or to parent her child. I feel bad still...but I certainly did not mean it. Aimee

Aimee - if you see a post where someone is clearly operating in violation of the board's TOS (or you think they may be) simply click on the link 'report this post to a moderator' and they'll take care of it. It is strictly against the rules of this site for pa or pbparents to solicit, even on PM, so if someone did post a 'hi, we want to adopt your baby' type message, that's why admin deleted it. HTH Regina, Amom to Ryan Josuha Thomas

Thank you for pointing that out to me Regina...to be honest I wasnt aware if it was in TOS or not. I worded my statement...way up there incorrectly and for that I apologize. I was actually upset about someone attempting to get a posible baby in this fashion and was worried for the orginal poster. I am learning. Every board is different...I was tired...I made the mistake. Aimee