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November is Adoption Awareness Month
Am I Ready to Adopt? Questions to Ask if You’re Thinking About Adoption
There are so many factors that can influence a family’s choice to adopt. While the decision makes sense for some, adoption may not be the right fit for others. As this is a life changing decision, take time to evaluate you and your family’s hopes and needs before determining- am I ready to adopt?
If you are considering adoption, here are a few questions that may help guide you in determining if adoption is right for you:
- Why do I want to adopt? This is an important question to ask yourself before you delve any further. Is adoption your first choice or is adoption your last option?
- Can I provide for this child? Even if you have pure intentions and sincerely want to take care of a child, you should consider whether you are in a stable enough situation to provide for a child.
- Am I willing to embark on this journey that could potentially be a long and bumpy road? While adoption can be quick and seamless, no two adoptions are the same and it can be difficult to predict how your situation will unfold.
- Is there anything restricting me from adoption (age, marital status, medical history)? Adoptive parents must be in good health and able to pass a background check, and some agencies require a significant age difference between the family and the adoptee.
- Am I excited to share my adoption plans with family, friends, and others? As with most things, it’s helpful to have a support system when embarking on new experiences.
- What age do I want the child I adopt to be? Some adoptive parents have always pictured themselves with a newborn, others may prefer an older child, and some may not have an age preference at all.
- How would I feel about parenting a child of a different race or ethnicity than myself? It is important to ask yourself how you would feel about raising a child that doesn’t look like you.
- Will I be comfortable talking to my child about their adoption story? Consider how you feel about adoption and how you would present this to your child.
- How much contact would I like with the birth parents? This indicates whether you would like an open, semi-open, or closed adoption.
- Are there other important people to consider? Adoption touches the lives of everyone involved and could include your coworkers, friends, family, and even pets! If you have a spouse or partner, make sure they are on the same page and have the same level of commitment as you.
Adopting a child is a major decision that changes lives. So, if you are considering adoption, it’s important to reflect and consider a multitude of aspects before moving forward. Hopefully, these questions provoked thoughts and feelings that can help guide you in this process. If you still have questions, AdoptHelp offers informational resources to adoptive parents and birth mothers.
For more information on adoption, read here.
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