Open Adoption and Parenting

We are seeking a fully open adoption and firmly believe that maintaining an ongoing relationship with the birth family is what’s best for the child. As adoptive parents, we will always honor these important relationships, and believe that communication, honesty, respect and trust are the cornerstones of a healthy, long-term open adoption.

We look forward to providing a loving and playful environment for our child. We believe in putting the needs of the child first, but in a supportive fashion, not in an overly permissive way. We will allow them to figure out for themselves who they are and where their interests lie, rather than project our desires on them.

Melissa can work flexible hours from home which will allow her to be home with our child. Melissa has an extensive education in developmental psychology, and will probably read every book ever written on parenting, so she will always approach parenting from an informed perspective. Eric has a youthful playfulness and the natural ability to connect with children on their own terms.

Our Values

Our family and friends are the most important things to us. Eric will definitely be a father that prioritizes his kids over his work. Melissa believes in helping others, whether it's family and friends, the people she works with or her community.

We both strongly believe in volunteering and giving back to the community, locally and globally. We've both been heavily involved with a literacy program for underserved children in West Oakland. Melissa spent a couple of years lobbying the California Legislature on issues relating to vulnerable women and children and is very proud that some of the legislation she supported passed!

We also try to incorporate volunteerism into our travels and have supported an Elephant Nature Reserve in Thailand as well as an amazing program in South Africa that works with women who've just given birth and gives them supplies and baby clothes so their children will have something special.