Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!

I am joined by Terri Marcroft. Terri Marcroft is an adoptive mom, author, and adoption advocate who works hard spreading the word on adoption through Unplanned Good. In 2008 Terri identified the need to more actively suggest adoption: today only 1% of young US women facing unplanned pregnancy choose adoption for their babies, while there are almost two million couples in the US hoping to adopt. After ten gratifying years of parenthood and twenty-five in high tech marketing & communications, Terri founded Unplanned Good in 2010. Terri leads the Unplanned Good efforts to encourage young women facing unwanted pregnancy to consider making an adoption plan.

In our conversation, we explain what open adoption is, why it's so beneficial for everyone: birth-parents, babies, and the adoptive family. Terri also highlights the importance of education on this topic, spreading awareness, and how people can be involved in their local communities because 1 in 4 girls will have an unplanned pregnancy from ages 14 to 20. That means this is happening in your community–it could be next door. With so many babies needing homes and so many homes wanting babies, it is imperative that we as the Church work to bring these two together.

Here are a few takeaways:

● Less than 1% of women facing unplanned pregnancies choose adoption.

● Open adoption allows birth mothers to make informed choices.

● Transparency in adoption benefits everyone involved.

● Community support is crucial for women facing unplanned pregnancies.

● Education about adoption can change societal perceptions.

● Legislative advocacy can improve adoption processes.

● Encouraging open conversations about adoption is essential.

● Adoption is a loving choice, not a loss.

Learn more about Unplanned Good: https://www.unplannedgood.org/

Christian Parenting’s Faith Centered Gift Guide: https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/gifts/

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!