The Cradle has an absolutely outstanding staff to help counsel individuals and families through a variety of adoption decisions. We used them over 15 years ago to help start our family. They have been providing excellent post-adoption services since then and continue to be leaders in the industry. They are also the only adoption agency to have a full time nursery. read more

I cannot say enough good things about our experience with The Cradle. Start to finish they have been incredible. It's no wonder the agency has been around for almost 100 years. They're excellent at what they do. For how hard adoption can be, to have some of that stress lessened by competent professionals who really have the best interest of families in mind has been priceless. Our daughter received excellent care while she was in the Cradle Nursery for the first six weeks of her life before we brought her home. Cradle staff will always be part of our family story and we are so thankful that they were there, and continue to be there, for our baby and her first mother. Our adoption counselor Wendy was a huge comfort during some of the more stressful moments and very adept at guiding us through the process and making sure all our paperwork was in line. From the counselors to the nursery staff to the billing department absolutely every person we came into contact with at this agency was warm, committed to helping and competent. Thank you, Cradle staff for helping bring our family together. read more

We adopted our child from the Cradle in summer 2012. We had a great experience and would recommend the Cradle to anyone who wants to adopt a child. One of their strengths is the preparation and training that prospective adoptive families receive during the home study process. We also received very knowledgeable and caring support during the match process (after a birth parent selected us, but before we took placement of the baby). The on-site Nursery is also a very valuable service that is unique to the Cradle. Our baby received excellent care there for 2-1/2 weeks before we took her home. We were even able to call the Nursery to ask questions about her care after we took her home. read more

We brought a baby girl home on April 27th. We are thrilled to be parents and everything is as amazing as you would expect. Katherine is healthy, happy and right now sitting beside me kicking and smiling. Katie was born to a smart, beautiful, brave woman who chose us to parent her. We tell Katie about her mother and about how much she loves her. When her mother is comfortable we hope Katie can know her. The Cradle has been supportive, educational, professional and caring through the entire process. If anyone has any questions about please message me and I will try and answer anything I can. Chris, Kearby and Katie read more

Our experience with The Cradle was exceptional. While we ended up having a child rather than adopting, we completed a majority of the process, and would happily recommend it to anyone considering adoption. After thoroughly vetting all of the Illinois adoption agencies, and The Cradle was the only one that we ended up feeling particularly positive about. Most of the agencies focus on, well, you, the parents ... and it can be a bit creepy. The idea that adoption is about the kid and his well-being permeated every interaction we had with the agency. The classes we attended were informative, useful and viewpoint-changing, unlike many of the interactions we had with other organizations. Additionally, the diversity present in the classes -- teachers, guests, and fellow attendees -- was unmatched anywhere we went. Per the other comments about the structure of the adoption being fairly rigid, that is true. The Cradle places a strong emphasis on birth mother interaction, and the process is fairly rigorous -- you don't just sign up and get a kid, with no further involvement by the agency. Frankly, I was initially quite uncomfortable with the idea of continued involvement by the birth mother, but The Cradle's rationale for this is clearly addressed up front, has a grounding in science, and seems to be the best option for the kid. This is an excellent organization with a focus on the health and well-being of adopted children. read more

Pros: - "The Cradle" is the least expensive company for obtaining your home study in all of Chicagoland - they have a very efficient and streamlined process for getting a home study completed - they offer lots of in-person educational group sessions that allow you to meet other families going through the same experiences as you Cons: - if you don't fit within their standard box, it really throws a monkey wrench into their system and they don't seem to understand how to work around the challenges. Worse, they seem a little irritated and inconvenienced when this happens. - Religion seems tolerated but discouraged. This theme is constant and very disappointing. Bottom line: adoption is a hugely emotional process for both the children and adoptive parents, but over time it is understandable that for the workers involved it becomes only a job. I don't fault them for this and perhaps this is best as it might allow them to make more objective decisions/suggestions than otherwise. Also, your experience with "The Cradle" is almost *entirely* dependent upon the counselor you are assigned and how you and s/he match up in personalities. Some counselors are probably incredibly warm, respectful, punctual, and have some of the same viewpoints you have. Unfortunately, just like any interpersonal relationship, this can't be guaranteed and you will only start to recognize a poor fit long into the process. At that point making a change would only slow things down and cost more money, so you'll probably come to the same conclusion as me that it is better to grit your teeth and plow through to the end than take the chance of getting a new counselor assigned only to discover the same or other problems. read more

We started our adoption journey with The Cradle, for all of the reasons posted on the other review. However, as our journey with The Cradle soured, we continued on with them, but for every step forward we were presented with two or three steps back. Basically, we were too old to adopt a healthy baby from the US. I was 45 and my husband 46. We left The Cradle - went to another agency and within one year - we adopted a healtly baby boy from Gary, IN. I have spoken with other older couples and they were faced with the same issue. Bottomline - if you don't fit within their description of an ideal couple then they will do all that they can to prevent you from adopting. I love my son, and he is the prefect child for us. I do have to thank them for causing such delays for us - otherwise I won't have my son. read more

The Cradle does not have capacity for new families right now. We waited two weeks to see if they were the right agency, and instead of telling us ahead of time that they weren't accepting applications they wasted our time. In addition, the call was extremely impersonal. I would not recommend using this agency for support. read more

Granted my experience is not "current" compared to all the other Yelpers here, as I and my brother both had been adopted through The Cradle over 40 years ago. Though I can say from books my parents kept from our early years, they are things that impress me. Books for adoptive parents to read to the child to help them understand why "I don't look like my mom and dad" and so on. The fact that The Cradle sent special day cards to my family, it is a thoughtfulness that is not typically considered. After 18 y/o I decided I wanted to learn more of my birthparents in case there was something I needed to know and they were great in giving me a lengthy and informative packet of (non-identifying) information about my birthparents(it was neat to know i had so many aunts and uncles!). Later, I also registered with them in case my birthparents decided to make a reconnection with me. I lost touch with The Cradle, but they have been very good with responding when I asked for things. Because of the experience with my brother being adopted from there and then myself, what support had been given my folks, I knew if I ever had been pregnant and wasn't "ready" I knew I would have my child there .. likewise if I ever wanted a child I knew the option of adoption, especially through The Cradle, I would go there. With this all in mind, I cannot say how awesome the staff is today, but they have been great for so many years that I would give them first chance. read more

This is one of the oldest adoption agencies around - they were founded in 1923. They provide support for the parent putting a baby up for adoption, and they have a range of services for adoptive parents. Domestic and international adoption. They have an excellent reputation. read more

Our experience involves only post-adoption services, but reflects strongly on the character and integrity of the organization. I would give negative stars if I could, because The Cradle really harmed my child. We hired The Cradle and its special education advocate because the education in the special education school my child was attending was woefully inadequate to meet the goal stated in the IEP, which was college. An IEP, for those who don't know, is a legal document that binds the school district. Mandy not only did not advocate for a better education for my child, the advocate we eventually hired after we fired The Cradle for nonperformance turned over to us an e-mail between The Cradle and the school district in which The Cradle informed the school district behind our backs that the goals in the IEP were not realistic and that despite what was in the IEP and what The Cradle had been hired for, it would not press the school district on these goals. The Cradle also said in the e-mail that it realized that this was not what I, the client, wanted. The Cradle did not disclose this e-mail to me or otherwise divulge that it had no plan to advocate for what it was hired for and what was in the IEP, which no one but The Cradle's advocate ever claimed was unrealistic. Because The Cradle's advocate is an attorney, whose Illinois bar number appears on the website, The Cradle knew that to go behind the client's back in this manner is a violation of legal ethics. Further, The Ctadle made her conclusion without ever meeting the child, ordering her school records, or speaking to her long-time therapist. It was obvious that The Cradle's goal was to ingratiate itself with the school district and not to advocate for the family that hired it. Of course this will severely hamper The Cradle's future ability to act as an advocate for families in that school district. The advocate we hired subsequently was able to obtain additional compensatory post-graduate college-prep schooling with only one short meeting with the school district because the school district's record, which he actually ordered before making any conclusions, was so egregious. I presented all this information to the Cradle, including the CEO and the chair of the board of directors, and asked for a refund of over $1200 I had paid The Cradle to advocate against my child. The Cradle refused, in a short letter that did not address any of these points. I have no doubt that its refusal had everything to do with economics and nothing to do with a feeling that it had appropriately represented the family that hired it. This is the lesson I want people to know about The Cradle. As others have noted, the organization seems to be more interested in self-promotion and raising money than in serving its clients well. And when it does not serve its clients well and actually harms them by giving a school district permission to deny the education it is legally required to provide, it keeps their money anyway. read more

I adopted my daughter through The Cradle in 2012, and I have recommended the agency to several friends since then. I found the required classes to be so helpful, as they really help prospective adoptive parents to understand open adoption, transracial parenting, and the experience of all members of the adoption triad: the child, the birth family, and the adoptive family. The classes prepared me well and my counselor did an outstanding job in supporting me as I made the transition to motherhood after bringing my daughter home. In the years since, I've felt comfortable contacting her if I have any questions or need a little extra support. I adopted my daughter as a single woman, and this was in no way an issue in terms of how I was treated at The Cradle. My counselor did let me know that while most birthparents prefer a two-parent household, there are certainly many who will consider single parents. She helped me to accentuate my strengths in my adoption profile. She also put me in touch with another single woman who had adopted her two children through The Cradle, and who was able to offer great insights into what it's like to be a single mom and what I might want to include in my profile. As it turned out, my daughter's birthparents actually asked to see profiles of single women when they were making their adoption plan, in large part because they wanted to help someone become a parent who might be overlooked by other birthparents. From start to finish, my experience with The Cradle was outstanding. If I ever decide to adopt again, I will certainly go back to The Cradle. I highly recommend this agency to anyone considering adoption. Best of luck! read more

We adopted our baby girl in February through the Cradle's special needs program. I cannot say enough to commend the Cradle's expertise, professionalism, and dedication to the world of adoption. The staff at the Cradle are all wonderful, enthusiastic, and incredibly supportive. The agency prides itself on promotion of ethical adoption practices, and their commitment to both birth and adoptive families is evident. If you are looking for the "experts" in adoption, I highly recommend the Cradle. Yes, the adoption process itself is emotional, complicated, and unpredictable. The Cradle provides resources and support every step of the way. The counselor/social work staff are knowledgeable and were super communicative throughout the entire process. The nursing staff are all amazing- they provided the best care for our baby while she stayed in the nursery and are clearly invested in the infants they care for. The Cradle is also committed to adoption education- helping the community as a whole understand the adoption process, debunking stereotypes and myths, and providing comprehensive information about identity, attachment, and other adoption issues. I think this makes it obvious that the Cradle doesn't operate with a "hidden agenda". The Cradle truly conducts itself with every child's needs at the forefront, preparing families for their new addition! Considering adoption? Call the Cradle. Have questions about adoption? Call the Cradle. Looking for the experts in adoption? Call the Cradle! Thank you for everything you have given us, and keep up the great work! read more

We adopted our daughter as a newborn through The Cradle in 2012 after I did exhaustive amounts (compulsive, obsessive) amounts of research on the agencies in the area. I even spoke to former social workers who had worked at various agencies. I am so grateful that we chose The Cradle, because they are by far the most ethical and reputable agency. We received so much education and support! I am now a part of many Facebook message groups for adoptive families from around the country, and I can't believe the basic information that many other families missed out on because their agencies didn't spend the time and resources to educate them. I know that in the end, it is the children who will suffer because of the lack of information their adoptive parents received. Also, and this only really became clear to me after we met our daughter's birthmother, but The Cradle is the most supportive and respectful to expectant parents who are considering adoption, too. This is so valuable because I couldn't sleep at night if I thought our daughter's birthmom had been coerced or pressured to make the decision to choose adoption. A small side-note: I do know single people and older couples who successfully adopted through The Cradle. Also, while my husband and I are not religious, we never got the impression that The Cradle discouraged religion in any way. In fact, we were encouraged constantly to be ourselves, and then we would be chosen by a birthmom who really liked us for who we are. And that's just what happened! read more

I cannot begin to tell you how much we believe in The Cradle. I've never known an agency so committed to the best interests of the children they serve. Their focus has always been on empowering women and families to make the best decision for their children--even when that decision ultimately results in finding resources so they can parent instead. We are grateful that our daughter's birth mom was able to receive the support she needed from The Cradle while making such a brave and loving choice. read more

The Cradle says they are open to singles, but I found that from their perspective my only options for an infant was "a medically at-risk" child or a child that would need "assisted equipment". For me that means a child that needs a two parent home, not a single working parent. Also, ALL of the links for information for singles were broken or disconnected. I found another agency that works with everyone! Still not a parent yet, but I believe I will be this year! Just not through this agency! read more

We had a very negative experience with this agency. As potential adoptive parents we didn't feel respected and we didn't feel that it was a safe place to learn about the adoption process. They have a rigid approach to adoption and parenting and if you are not on board with their specific ideology, you should reconsider working with them. No matter how educated or informed you are about topics, there does not seem to be a place for having your own opinion as a potential adoptive parent. As one of the other posters stated, they will do whatever they can to keep you from having a child unless you meet their description of the 'ideal couple.' Their definition of an ideal couple seems to be something beyond being in a stable, loving life situation, with financial security and solid references from friends, family and community. From talking to others who have bad experiences with them it seems that you can be discriminated against for so many things with this agency; being in an interracial relationship, being single, being older, being divorced, etc. In my opinion, working with the agency is a gamble. You may end up financially and emotionally drained. Pros: *They do come widely recommended by many, including many people who have never worked with them. They have a long standing reputation. *They have an on-site nursery. *They are reasonably priced. *They do offer long term support for adoptees, but most agencies do this. Cons: *I personally thought that requiring a letter of recommendation from an employer for the home study (a requirement unique to this agency) was inappropriate and patriarchal. Nobody should have to disclose their family planning intentions to an employer until they are ready. *Trainings are difficult to attend and are not offered very often. *The chain of command for complaints is somewhat broken, if you don't like something you can be cut off before your problem is ever addressed. read more

We adopted our son through the Cradle two years ago. We had a wonderful experience working with them. After researching many agencies in the area, we decided the Cradle was the best fit for our family because of their ethical practices and their commitment to assisting birth mothers throughout this difficult process. After completing the required adoptive family training, we felt that we had a realistic awareness of what the process would entail for us as adoptive parents which was very helpful. We will forever be grateful to the Cradle and all they did to bring our son, his birth mother and us together. read more

Had a very unprofessional and disappointing expieriance with the cradle. They seem to have an agenda and if you as a couple don't fit into their ideal image of a couple they are unhelpful. But they do not mind taking your money. From what I gathered from other biracial couples who had a similar expieriance with this organization they are not supportive of multiracial interfaith couples. Although it was costly and emotionally painful dealing with these people I'm glad that we went elsewhere. We were told in a group meeting that the organization defrays the delivery cost for the birth mother if her health insurance does not cover everything. I have since found out from some birth mothers that this does not always happen. Even though the adoptive parents are paying thousands of dollars for their " services". We were not on the mature side age wise 32 & 34 respectively but I could tell from our first meeting they did not want to help us. The strangest quote I remember an employee saying is " adoption is a very painful process". That whole approach goes against the very fiber of my way of thinking. I say if you are a young, wealthy, same race and faith couple you will have no issues adopting here. My sympathies go out to the other yelper that had problems. Glad you have your baby. I was blessed with being able to deliver after five yrs of trying this summer. read more

I cannot say enough good things about the Cradle and would highly recommend this agency to other prospective parents. We adopted our daughter in November 2013, and should we ever adopt again, there is no question that we would return to the Cradle. Based on my own experience and that of other couples we know, the Cradle is the most ethical, the most thorough, the most child-centered, the most supportive, and (let's just state the facts) the best around at getting it done, at making adoption happen in an efficient, cost-friendly, above-board, and yet sensitive and caring way for everyone involved. This institution has literally been helping children, birth families, and adoptive families for almost a hundred years. They know what they are doing, and they do it very well. Their educational programs are excellent--we felt very prepared to meet challenges both before and after adoption as a result of the training we received. Our counselor was wonderful at shepherding us through every step of the process. She was always available to answer questions and provide much-needed support during difficult moments along the road. When we met our little girl, I could tell that she shared our joy in a very personal, rewarding way. I consider her to be a true friend as well as a counselor. I think it's telling that at least two other couples we know adopted their first children from other agencies but have switched to the Cradle for their second. I feel so incredibly lucky that we started our journey in the right place and now have the most wonderful, amazing little girl in our lives. read more

We adopted our special needs child from the Cradle and it was wonderful! Their staff was attentive, dedicated, and available every single minute we needed them during the process. They have an amazing history and are well established in the adoption community, which is a huge plus. Our son is doing as well as he is because of them and we couldn't be happier with our experience. I highly recommend them to both adoptive AND birth families. read more

The Cradle is a life-changing organization. We had an amazing experience here. We went to one other agency and a surrogacy meeting before choosing the cradle. We knew from the minute we walked into the cradle that this would be the place to be. The staff is lovely and supportive and we couldn't be happier to have our son at home with us. Our counselor was amazing and responsive during the entire process and my husband and I felt supported from the moment we started until well after our baby boy came home. Our birth mother also still receives support from the organization and we couldn't be happier that she is getting the support she needs. The cradle does put children first. When you are waiting this can sometimes feel frustrating but it is all worth it and the best practice for all involved. Yes, the cradle does have a specific ideology about parenting and adoption but it is really what is in the best interest of the child after years of research. If we decide to adopt again, we won't hesitate to go back to the cradle. It feels like a home away from home and I am excited for all of the experiences and support my son will get as a cradle baby. Plus, you will go to an informational meeting before signing up with the cradle so you will know how you feel before paying anything or doing any paperwork. read more

We adopted a special needs baby through The Cradle. We had a wonderful experience with everyone we met there, especially the baby's caseworker (Wendy) who was very professional and also very personable and caring, and did her very best to make everything go smoothly for us, who were coming from out of state, and for him and his birth family. The nurses in the nursery who cared for our son were also wonderful, very caring and gave a lot of attention to detail. It is a wonderful organization! read more

We adopted our daughter via The Cradle nearly seven years ago and the experience was completely positive. I recommend, highly, The Cradle for those looking to start or add to a family via adoption. read more

We adopted through the Cradle's special needs adoption program. Our little one has a very complicated series of medical problems and we found the screening process to be lengthy and very thorough, which is a good thing. I am an experienced special needs mama with a medical background and managing everything has been a real struggle at times-- were the screening process less stringent I think there would be some real trouble for baby bear! We found everyone at the Cradle to be very warm and encouraging-- particularly the nurses at the on-site nursery! We worked with them for a week before placement, watching and learning. They really loved our daughter and that showed in so many ways! I can't say enough good things about the Cradle and their special needs adoption program! read more

Me and my girlfriend were looking to place our baby for adoption, and the first place we thought of was The Cradle. At first they seemed very friendly, open minded, and willing to work on our terms. Our counselor originally stated that we could pick a name with the couple we were to choose, and we can pick whether or not we wanted our baby to go to the nursery they provide as a safe place the baby could stay during the time period we couldn't sign over our rights as parents. As the process went on and my girlfriend was near full term, things started to get very uneasy and frustrating. We were eventually told we had no say in choosing the baby's name because the adoptive parents have "had a name picked out for a long time," and that was more important to the Cradle than what we wanted. As my girlfriend got closer towards labor, we had made a final decision on adoptive parents and had a meeting set up later that week. It was a mutual decision between me and my girlfriend that we wouldn't leave the baby at the nursery, but instead take her home for a few days. This was a complete shock to our counselor, and all of a sudden our meeting was cancelled and we were basically thrown to the back burner. Our counselor told us that the counselor of the adoptive parents was "very protective of their clients and didn't want them to meet us if placement into their home was not a for sure thing." So basically, if we weren't going to hand our child over to complete strangers without meeting them, then they didn't want to waste their time with us." This was very hurtful, and slowed down the process a whole lot. Our counselor was also very very persistent on having the adoptive parents come to the hospital during labor. This was a very uncomfortable idea to us, but again it was "important to the parents if they could be there to experience the whole labor process." Within a few days from this time period my girlfriend unexpectedly went into labor and two days later, our daughter was born. We spoke to our counselor from the cradle when we were still in the hospital and told her we would be staying in contact with her to let her know our final decision. We decided that parenting would be in our best interest, and to keep the baby. The past week has been very hectic for us to say the least, and haven't had the time to sit down and talk to our counselor. Still though, no call, text or even email from her to see how we are doing or what we decided on. My girlfriend and I both feel like the whole adoption process was very misleading and completely not what we expected it to be. It went from doing things on our terms, quickly to what was in the best interest of the adoptive parents and The Cradle. I feel like they weren't looking out for us as they first promised to, but to only take our baby. I'm speaking on both mine and my girlfriend's behalf; We are both disappointed. If you are looking to adopt, I would not recommend the Cradle to you, and best of luck finding what you are looking for. read more

My wife and I adopted our precious little girl in May of 2015. We had talked about adopting a child ever since we found out it would be our only opportunity for a fourth child. After having three boys in three year increments when our youngest turned three our talks became more serious. Once our youngest son turned five we started exploring our options. My wife Mary and I also felt like we could provide a healthy, safe, and loving home for a child with special needs. We contacted the Cradle and began the process. After our first interview with our Cradle counselor the excitement of what was to come was so real. Our counselor and the Cradle organization as a whole handled the entire process professionally and thoughtfully. Not without any hiccups, on May 7th 2015 our family was given a beautiful, precious, and perfect little blessing. Jordyn Amanda would really be ours forever. Thank you Wendy and The Cradle for helping us complete our family! read more

We love the Cradle! We began our adoption journey at the Cradle in the summer of 2006. It all began with an informational meeting that included a guest speaker, an actual parent that adopted her child through the Cradle! Sigh of relief!! Someone that could share their journey, from paperwork, to the wait, the emotional roller coaster, the support and of course, the arrival of her little miracle. Eight years and two sons later, our dreams of a family are fulfilled. From the knowledgeable and supportive counselors, to the nurses who cared for them in the nursery, and the staff that is so excited to see my sons when we visit, we can't say enough about the Cradle. My husband and I found all of the classes interesting and thorough. While taking these initial classes, we were encouraged to exchange emails and communicate with others that were going through the process. Those emails turned into dinners and eventually play dates. Our sons always look forward to having play dates with their Cradle friends. read more

As far as I'm concerned the Cradle really gave my daughter the help she needed. I am the mother of a daughter who received counseling services from the Cradle and our experience was great. Our daughter did not tell us she was pregnant. She was going to keep it a secret and give up the baby without telling anyone. I know what your thinking: how can someone hide a pregnancy? Believe me. Its possible. She also didn't have medical insurance and there was no way that she could of afforded the hospital bill. Well, the Cradle did two important things. First, they helped her get Medicaid. They told her that this was important so that when the baby is born she wouldn't have to let a big hospital bill be the reason she had to give him up. By the way. The hospital told her they wouldn't accept Medicaid since she was going to adopt him out. The Cradle got on them though and they caved. Second, her counselor kept urging her to tell someone what was going on. They told her that this would be a painful secret to bare all alone. She finally did tell us. Her counselor helped her with how she was going to tell us. Of course we were shocked but we love our daughter and we want what is best for her. She had the baby and once we all saw him we knew that we had to keep him. As far as I'm concerned the Cradle really gave my daughter the help she needed read more