Hundreds of thousands of children a day are left without a loving and caring family. The adoption process in the U.S. is rather unpredictable, especially in regards to a definitive timeline. The Federal Government has currently left much of the rules and regulations of adoption up to the individual states, so it is often difficult to know where to begin.
Adoption can be a monumental experience in the lives of parents and children and should never be taken lightly. The decision to bring a child into the family is a lifelong commitment.
It is wise to have a clear idea of what to expect before beginning the journey to building a forever home for a child in need. Take a moment to read through this short overview of a few tips for those who are looking to build a family through adoption.
Never make the decision to adopt on a whim
Individuals should always think through their decision to adopt. Adopting a child is far more in-depth than adopting a new family dog or cat. Prospective parents should ask themselves a few key questions before moving forward with the process of adoption.
What are my base reasons for wanting to adopt? How might adopting a child affect the people in my household/family? Is my home a safe and stable environment, capable of tending to the emotional needs of a struggling child?
A family does not have to follow “traditional” formulas
One of the most common misconceptions of people looking to adopt is that there must be a husband and a wife present to qualify for the process. The structure of the American family has vastly changed in the past 50 years, and now, so are the adoption laws and standards.
More and more often, children are being placed with single, divorced, and same-sex parents. A non-traditional family has just as much capacity to provide a safe and loving home as a traditional family setting.
Adoption does not have to cost a fortune
There are three different paths to trek when seeking to adopt. Individuals may work closely with an adoption lawyer, adopt through an agency, or seek adoption through foster care.
Families who seek foster-to-adopt opportunities often pay very little to nothing for the legalization of the adoption. In addition, the state typically provides a monthly stipend along with medical and mental health care.
Birth parents are not always unfit for parenthood
Women who choose to put their children up for adoption comes from all walks of life. The only safe assumption is that she has decided that her child would be better off with someone else. A lot of women who put their child up for adoption choose to go down the route of a private adoption where they get to specifically pick the adoptive parents and meet them as well so that they can place their child in the best and most loving home. It is not fair to assume that a woman is less than decent just because she has chosen to place her child up for adoption.