Consider the following questions:

1. What are Lillian’s concerns about considering adoption regarding this unexpected pregnancy?  How can Dana address these concerns?  List specific techniques and/or questions she can ask.

Lillian’s concerns:

• She won’t be able to live with herself if she releases the baby.
• Possible negative reactions of her family, her church and her daughter.

 Ways to address the concerns:

• Dana can have Lillian talk about what her biggest fear would be if she released the baby.
• Dana can ask clarifying questions about the types of concerns Lillian believes her family and community might have and then discuss ways to resolve them.

Specific technique and questions (identifying feelings):

• What would your biggest fear be if you were to release your baby for adoption?
• If you decided to your release your child for adoption, what feelings might your family and community have about your decision?

 2. List the pros and cons of a kinship adoption for Lillian.  List the pros and cons of kinship adoption for Lillian’s aunt and uncle.  List the pros and cons of a kinship adoption for Lillian’s child.

For Lillian:

• A positive for Lillian may be that she would know how her child is doing.
• A negative may be that she must redefine her relationship with her Aunt and Uncle once they adopt the child.

For the aunt and uncle:

• A positive for the aunt and uncle would be that they now have a baby to raise.
• A negative could be that they may see Lillian as a constant reminder that the child was not born to them.

For the child:

• A positive for the child may be that kinship adoption my offer the child cultural and familial continuity that would not be available in another type of adoption.
• A negative for the child may be that as he grows older he may try to manipulate the situation by playing the adoptive parents against the birth mother.