I Don’t Want My Baby—Should I Choose Adoption?
If you are parenting or pregnant and don’t want a baby, you may be feeling a wide range of emotions. Here we will explore some common thoughts and emotions, as well as options available to you if you have thoughts like “I don’t want a baby.”
We have also partnered with an adoption agency. You can get free adoption and unplanned pregnancy counseling from an adoption professional if you click here.
I Don’t Want My Child—Is This Normal?
Whether you are pregnant or already raising a child, it is not uncommon to have thoughts of not wanting to be a parent. Children can be wonderful, but they also require a lot of mental, physical, and emotional energy and effort, as well as significant sacrifices and lifestyle changes.
It is normal to experience a whole range of thoughts and emotions around carrying and parenting a child. Your thoughts and emotions are completely valid. If you are feeling overwhelmed or looking for a way out, or if you simply don’t want to be a parent, there is help available.
While these thoughts are fleeting for some, for other people, the thoughts may be persistent or cause distress. If you are consistently having negative thoughts and emotions around parenting or having a child, it is best to seek counseling.
In some cases, these thoughts can be caused by things like parenting anxieties or post-partum depression. But in other cases, it may be a sign that parenting is not the best option for you. A trained adoption and unplanned pregnancy counselor can help you explore your thoughts, emotions, and options—you can click here to get help now.
“I Don’t Want This Baby” –What to Consider
If you are parenting or pregnant and don’t want to be, it can be a lot to process. Aside from the emotions that come with pregnancy and parenting, there are several other considerations.
These are some common factors women consider when they are parenting or pregnant and don’t want the baby anymore:
Can I Have the Life I Want While Parenting?
Beyond the emotions of unplanned pregnancy and parenting, one reason many women choose not to parent is that they are dreaming of a life that doesn’t align with parenting.
When you imagine your ideal life, you may have personal goals, career goals, or dreams of a certain lifestyle. As you dream of your ideal life, you will likely consider the steps it will take to get there.
Some people may be able to have or work towards their dream life while they parent, but what about you? Will you be able to take the steps you need to achieve your dreams if you are parenting? Will you be able to give a child the life you imagine for them?
If the answer is no, you have options.
Is My Life and Financial Situation Stable Enough to Parent?
Another big factor in choosing whether or not to parent is reflecting on the life you want for a child, and whether you will be able to meet a child’s wants and needs in the ways you want to.
Do you feel emotionally ready to raise a child? Do you have a stable home? Do you feel confident in being able to make ends meet with the added expenses of a child? Are your relationships with a partner, family members, and support team strong and stable? Do you feel you have the time and energy to devote to raising a child?
If your answer is no to one or multiple of these questions, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t parent, but many women choose not to parent because they want to give their child everything they possibly can to succeed, and they recognize that they are not in the best place or time to parent a child.
I Don’t Want to Be Pregnant or Parent—What Are My Options?
Adoption
Adoption can give you hope if you are struggling with a pregnancy or parenting, and it can provide opportunities for your child to grow up with a family who has been hoping for a child.
Abortion
Abortion is restricted in some states, but where safe abortion is accessible, it can provide an option for women who know that carrying a pregnancy and parenting is not for them. Many women who choose abortion find peace, especially when they are sure it is the right choice for them.
I’m Parenting or Pregnant and Want to Give My Baby Up for Adoption—How Can I Start?
Parenthood isn’t for everyone. If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy or are having second thoughts about parenthing your child, adoption is a beautiful way to give your child a life full of love and opportunity. You can start by getting free information or a consultation from an adoption professional here.