[billysmommy]

While I do agree that's it is a leap of faith, I also think there are ways to minimize the risks of an adoption closing. I agree with the poster who suggested that the child be placed in a state where open agremeents are legal and binding. Also, a family that already has a working open adoption, I would think would be less likely to close. Now, I don't mean one that has been "working" for the first year. But rather one where the adopted child is old enough to understand, one where issues have come up and been resolved. Basically, one where the committment is evident.
I also think it's important to find people that you can see yourself having a relationship with for at least 18 years. People that you would enjoy each others company even if you didn't have the child in common. I know that for me, once we had built a friendship, it's no longer only about our common child(ren), but also about us.