If you’re considering growing your family through adoption you may feel overwhelmed by the process. There are so much information and so many options it can be hard to know where to begin.
From getting the paperwork done to preparing your home for a new infant or child, adoption is a severely stressful and important time for the whole family. You need to know what to expect and how to make the whole process go smoothly.
Read on to learn about some essential adoption information. It’s helpful to know upfront as you begin to research the best options for you and your family.
In Or Out Of Country
First, you’ll want to consider whether to choose domestic or international adoption.
Wait times for both vary depending on the route you choose; however, the wait for a domestic infant adoption in the U.S. is about two years or two months to one year to adopt an older child from foster care.
Foster care cases can be tricky, but that’s no reason to give up. Make sure you are qualified and know the best way to get through all the red tape.
Looking at Qualifiers
Your next step is to consult either a family law attorney for domestic adoptions or a nonprofit agency that specializes in either domestic or international adoption. While requirements are more flexible than in years past and vary by organization, you typically must be between 21 and 50 years of age.
According to Valerie M Little Law Corporation, you don’t need to have large savings account or to own a home to qualify, and many agencies now accept same-sex couples. What you do need is to have a clean record, enough stability to care for a child, and a good place to raise them. If you can move into the house, you want your whole family to be in first. Appearing settled is the best way to be qualified.
Different Options
You should also consider whether you are willing to have an open adoption, in which the child has some level of contact with his or her birth family, or if you’d prefer a closed adoption. Each has its benefits and drawbacks you can talk through with your family law attorney or agency counselor.
You should also assess whether you would be open to adoption a child with special needs or who was exposed to drugs in a while in the womb. There are many different kinds of children looking to be taken in.
You should examine every option since you never know what amazing kids you’ll find. If you’re considering taking on disabled children, make sure you can prove you have the experience to handle their needs.
Growing a Family
Finally, it’s important to do your research and thoroughly think about your reasons for bringing a child into your family through adoption. If you already have children, think about the ideal age for a new sibling.
Talk to your pediatrician about the best way to involve your kids in the process. Make sure they know what to expect and that your family will be able to adapt well to a new addition.
Though adoption can seem complicated, with the right resources and a clear state of mind, adoption can be a wonderful way to have the family you’ve always dreamed of. Make sure you know what to expect before diving in.
Did you know foster care can lead to adoption? While many foster kids are eventually returned to their biological parents, many remain in the foster care system.
Also, it is possible to get an infant through foster care in addition to older kids. Learn more about what it’s like to foster and adopt through foster care.
I recently met a foster and adoptive mom, Christy G., who shares her story on her blog Backseat Full. When you visit Backseat Full you’ll be touched by Christy’s family’s love and willingness to open their home to children needing the safety and security of a loving home and parents. See first-hand love sees no color.
