If you have decided to adopt a child, your roller coaster is just beginning. To get started, you need to begin calling adoption agencies. Once you have decided on which one meets your needs, you will be given pictures of children who desperately want to be a member of your family. If you have found a match, inform the agency. They will try to delve deeper into the child’s background (i.e. health issues, family life). If you still want to adopt the child, you will file a petition to adopt. Once the papers are legal, you can take your new family member home.
Before you even take your child home, you should ready your home and family for the new arrival. Talk to your family members, especially if you have other children. Explain to them that this child needs love just like them. In your home, try to ready the room or space prior to the child moving in. This will make the child feel wanted and settled.
As you can see, adoption is an emotional ride, but well worth it. If you have any specific “criteria” in selecting a child, there are many different types of adoption services. Here are five popular options.
- “Infant adoption”- many families love to adopt an infant because they can raise the child from birth. This option is probably the most popular for parents, particularly younger couples.
- International adoption- children in countries like China, Russia, and India are very popular choices for American families. If you want to adopt a foreign-born child, be aware that the process is shorter than an American adoption, which usually takes a year or so.
- Older children- unfortunately, some children are stuck in the foster care system until they reach the age of maturity, simply because many families want to adopt a newborn. If you can find it in your heart to adopt an older child, you can find specialty adoption services that will fit your needs.
- Special needs adoption- if you want to adopt a child with special needs, there are also great adoption services tailored for you as well. These children may have been given up for adoption simply because the birth parent(s) couldn’t care for them properly. Special needs include those with genetic illnesses, those with conditions resulting from complicated births or difficult pregnancies.
- Religious adoption- many families who want to adopt often adopt from a religion-based agency. Christian adoption agencies are very popular these days. Some of these agencies cater to both domestic and international adoptions.
If any of these options interest you, you may begin your search on the web. Make sure the agency is well known and has an actual office you can go to. There was one case a few years back in which two families adopted the same child from a website. To make sure this doesn’t happen, be sure to stay in contact with the agency.
Remember, adoption services vary, so be sure to ask them many questions regarding the selection process.
By Michelle Presbury