No matter where you live, what we're all experiencing right now with the Coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented in our lifetime. We've all found ourselves suddenly confined in our homes with no clear end in sight, and it can take a toll. Social distancing can leave you mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted.

The good news is that we're all in this together. Even if you must stay at least 6 feet apart from others, you can still spread hope, kindness, and love using creativity.

Last week on Lifetime's Facebook page, we asked, "How are you making memories with the change of routine and social distancing as we go through COVID-19?" We LOVE hearing how people are making the most of this season we're all facing right now.

Here are five simple things that Lifetime's adoptive couples are doing to shine a little light in the darkness we're facing:

Whether you are considering adoption or you have already adopted a newborn and are looking toward the future, you might worry about the questions your child will ask as he or she grows older.

Today, the nature of adoption has changed, and so have the types of questions children ask as they grow older. Open adoption answers many of the tough questions adoptees have asked in the past. As a result of open adoption, children no longer have to wonder what their birth parents’ names are, where they were born, or what their birth mother’s labor and delivery was like. Adoptive families that are open to sharing may discuss adoption and the child’s birth family openly.

Of course, this does not mean that there are no questions that remain. They are simply different and sometimes more in-depth. As your child grows, you might want to consider how you can answer or seek the answers to these common questions.

As the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. continues to rise, Lifetime Adoption remains 100% available for birth parents, hopeful adoptive parents, and anyone with questions about adoption. We care about you and are here for you!

Some adoptive parents have come to us with questions and concerns about how the outbreak could affect their adoptions. If you're wondering if now is a good time to adopt and how COVID-19 affects adoption plans, we encourage to read "Infant Adoption During Times of Uncertainty."

With the announcement of a national public health emergency and the closure of schools, Lifetime has established new procedures to continue serving you, effective immediately.  We are following CDC advice to protect the staff at Lifetime Adoption, as well as our birth families, children, adoptive parents, and local communities.  

We continue to be available with 24-hour help for birth parents and Lifetime's matched adoptive families. We also maintain regular availability during office hours, by phone nationwide, for current adoptive parents in-waiting, as well as for anyone wanting to learn more about adoption. We will continue to do our best to update you as new information is available.

Today's article comes to us from Valerie Trumbower, a DONA Certified Postpartum Doula, a Certified Lactation Counselor and the mother for three, including a set of twins.

Her online courses Expecting 101™ and Expecting 101...You’re Adopting™ have helped many families prepare for life with their newborns. For all things baby, follow her on Instagram @newparentsacademy. 

Life with a newborn is not easy. Yes, it’s full of super sweet baby faces and lots of cuddles, but it’s definitely not easy. I state this without reservation because I’m a Postpartum Doula, and for years I’ve lived the newborn stage over and over (and over) in the homes of new families. I LOVE what I do, and I truly feel honored to walk alongside families as they get acquainted and find their rhythm. 

I say the same thing over and over when I meet with people before their baby’s arrival: 

It’s just like anything else...if you know what to expect and how to handle situations you might encounter, things will go more smoothly.  

But then...I worked with my first adoptive family. As I met with them before the baby arrived and went through my whole spiel and talked about my recommendation of preparing for life with a newborn, they confirmed that they had, in fact, gone to a newborn class at the local hospital. Turns out, though, that the class was geared towards pregnant couples and that they were the only ones in that room who were adopting. They also said it had been awhile; they took the class almost a year prior since they weren’t sure when they’d be matched. If I can be honest, it made me sad for them for how it must have felt to feel so different in that room. And soon after that conversation, I realized it didn’t need to be that way for adopting families and I could help!

Is now a good time to adopt?

Does the worldwide Coronavirus affect adoption plans?

Should we consider adoption in this economic climate?

Are you asking yourselves any of these questions? If so, the short answer is – Yes, now is the best time to start your adoption plan. The world may seem upside down, and the uncertain economic times caused by stock market fluctuations and the effect of COVID-19 on our economic stability are concerning. We, at Lifetime, understand the anxiety both adoptive parents and birth parents are experiencing. This is a time in the adoption world, however, where the number of adoptive parents decreases and the number of pregnant women looking for adoptive parents for their babies increases.

When you look at the stories of American families, you'll find they are all different. Amazing families across the country often begin with an adoption journey.

If you are a hopeful parent waiting to adopt a baby in the U.S., you probably have a lot of questions. Some of the most common questions involve how the adoption process works. This brief guide will walk you through the steps involved in a domestic adoption journey.

If you've been looking for answers about adoption on Google, you're not alone. Many hopeful adoptive parents turn to their favorite search engine as a way to learn more about how they can expand their family through adoption.

Among many other questions, people wonder how much it costs to adopt, what happens if the birth mother changes her mind, and how long the process takes.

Check out the most common questions hopeful adoptive parents search for on Google, along with answers from our adoption experts!

There are many ways to express your love for adoption. For some, songs about adoption are the perfect way to connect with their own personal adoption experience, whether as an adoptive parent, birth parent, or adoptee.

Music is a powerful way to express emotion about heartfelt topics like adoption. Recently, a Lifetime adoptive mom, Erin, used her talent for singing and songwriting to tell the story of her love surrounding the process of adoption. We're delighted to share Erin's song, "The Gift of You," with all of you today! We hope that her beautiful lyrics encourage you as you move through your own adoption journey!

The adoption professional or adoption agency you hire will impact your entire adoption experience. For anybody considering adoption, it is important to understand as much as possible before you adopt a baby. With hundreds of adoption professionals available, asking the right questions can help you designate a clear path for forward movement in the process.

You will find that many questions provide you with the assistance you need to understand the process as well as to choose an adoption agency. Whether you want to adopt a baby or a child, these questions will prove helpful.

It's that time of year! Remember your favorite Valentine with a unique adoption gift that she'll treasure for a lifetime. Each purchase of an Adoption Prayer Bracelet helps women who have chosen adoption for a child! Shop at AdoptionPrayerBracelet.com for her favorite style and color today!  There are three styles of bracelets available in our shop: bangle, European, and original. The bracelets are one-of-a-kind; each bracelet is handmade and delicately engraved.