Open adoption is a frightening or strange idea to many people. I remember talking to a friend whose sister had recently adopted — with an open adoption. My friend thought that the openness was unnecessary and probably a bad idea. This from a well-educated, sophisticated man.

One of the goals of our Openness in Adoption workshop is to dispell myths about open adoption and to educate families about the full reality: the benefits and the risks. You will find that in most cases, openness is the right choice for the child, for the adoptive parents, and for the birthmother, even if it’s a hard choice.

This online (telephone conference with web-interface) course will be offered on November 5 (Wednesday) at 9 pm. Here’s some more information from the course page:

We often hear that families who are considering a domestic adoption are afraid of an “open” adoption. In this 1-and-a-half-hour course, you will learn what an open adoption is, the possible benefits of openness, and when communication with birthparents is appropriate. By increasing your awareness of what openness is — and by being “open” to openness — you will probably increase the likelihood of having a successful adoption — and parenting — experience.

This webinar is presented by Laura Beauvais-Godwin, Carolina Hope’s director and co-author of The Complete Adoption Book. Laura is the adoptive mother of two daughters.

Participating in the course requires an internet connection and phone connection. The cost is $15. More information is available at the course page.