If you’re thinking about adoption, take the time to slow the process down and really consider what you want, why you want it and what you expect out of the process.
For instance, maybe you struggle with fertility and you really want to be a parent. You see adoption as a way to make that dream come true.
While that is a good starting point, what is your dream, exactly? Do you want to hold a newborn from the day of their birth? The child’s age is one of the biggest things to consider. Many couples want newborns or young babies, but you can also adopt older children. In fact, some people really have a heart for this because they know that the odds of adoption fall as kids grow older, and they know these children still need a loving home.
You also need to consider where you want the child to come from. Do you want it to be a local adoption so the birth parents can stay involved? Do you want to adopt a child from anywhere in the United States? Do you want to adopt an international child? What ethnic background makes the most sense for you and your family, or do you have no preference at all?
If you do not know the answers to these questions, or if you have not thought about them at all, you may not be ready to adopt. Make sure you take the time to carefully consider everything, from your legal options to the financial realities to how you can make your dream come true and provide a loving home to a child.