So, you’ve decided to adopt a child. First and foremost, congratulations! Now, it’s time to know the adoption process in depth. The process is a roller coaster of paperwork, emotions, and love. Once you learn everything there is to know about adoption, your decision will be much easier on you, and you’ll be on your way to hopefully start fulfilling your dream of adopting a child to love and provide a forever home for.
This article serves as a quick 7-step guide through the adoption process. Check it out!
1. Decide Whether Or Not You’re Ready
Before going forward on adopting a child, you may want to do some serious soul-searching. Explore your reasons why you want to adopt, whether it’s because of infertility, or for other personal reasons. No matter the reason, be sure to be open and honest about yourself and the motivations for adopting because adoption is a permanent proposition that takes a long-time commitment.
Think about these questions when considering adoption:
- Can you provide a loving, stable family for a child to grow up in?
- Can you learn to love the child through thick and thin?
- Do you want to help a child overcome some of his or her challenges faced early in life?
- Can you be a good support system for the child?
2. Decide The Type Of Adoption
Next, decide on what type of child that you wish to adopt:
- Infant?
- Toddler?
- Older child? Type of race?
- Special needs?
- Domestic?
- International?
- Foster?
If you have other children, then consider what the prospective child would be like with them.
Now, even though there are a variety of children to choose from, always remember that the child him or herself matters more than skin color, gender, etc. Plus, don’t overlook the possibility of adopting more than one child.
Here are three of the most common adoptions that you might consider:
- Domestic
- Foster
- International
3. Consult Adoption Agencies And Professionals
Adoption agencies provide support services like pre-adoption education, counseling, home studies, advertising, and post-adoption services and/or referrals. While many agencies vary, some may focus only on international adoptions, others specialize in infant adoptions. So, be sure to do your research before hiring a professional or an agency. Speaking of hiring…
4. Think About Finances
You must also think about finances. Adoptions normally cost between $20,000 and $40,000. At most agencies, they expect their money upfront, or they’ll turn you away.
Plus, like with any child, adopted children cost money too. So, you have to be financially prepared to care for a child from adoption.
5. Network
Now, regardless if you choose to work with an agency or not, active participation in the adoption process may speed things up for you. Plus, get the word out with friends and family that you’re looking to adopt. By staying focused on your venture, you’ll increase the likelihood of a match or being sought out by adoption agencies.
6. Think Of The Possibilities
Once the adoption agency or professional finds you a match, you should still have an open mind about what happens afterward. It’s important to educate yourself and create a post-placement plan that you and the birth parents will be comfortable with. No matter what, you should stay respectful to the child’s birth parents, and express unconditional love for these individuals who are your child’s first parents.
7. Wait
Finally, waiting is, by far, the hardest step in the process. While having your adopted child come home with you won’t happen overnight, it’s still important to be humble about it, so that both you and the other party are more prepared for this transition. For now, just hold onto hope and stay productive while you wait for the adoption to go through.
Conclusion:
So, if you’re thinking about adopting a child, understand that there are a lot of things to know about the process. From being prepared to networking, to waiting out the remaining time before the child can go home with you, a lot goes into each step of the process. So, by following this quick guide to successful adoption, you’ll see that adopting a child will be a life-changing decision, and it’s worth the process to ensure the last bonding between you and the child for years to come.
Emily Henry is a writer and editor at Lab Report Writing Service UK. As a professional writer, she has been involved in many writing projects nationwide.
