6 Things to Do Before Adopting a Child
The adoption process can be long, complicated, and emotional. You have to overcome many financial and legal roadblocks. Nevertheless, the process can be shorter and less challenging if you know how to do it correctly. Here are some things to do before you start the adoption.
1. Understand Your Reasons for Adopting
Before you begin the adoption process, you must clearly understand your motivations for adopting. Determine whether your home will be appropriate for a child. Also, know the amount of contact you are willing to have with the child's birth family. Moreover, do research online and seek advice from family and friends.
2. Accept Your Limits
Ask yourself difficult questions and be ready to accept uncomfortable answers. When you have an honest understanding of the impending challenges, you are likely to make the best decisions during their adoption process. You also get to know your limits and identify things that are beyond your ability or preference.
Consider the following questions to understand your limits:
- How will the adoptive child impact you and your family?
- Can you accept a child with special needs?
- Would you be willing to adopt a sibling group?
- Do you have a specific race or ethnicity in mind, and will you want an interracial or multicultural family?
Provide honest answers to these questions if you want your adoption to be successful.
3. Know That Not Every Adoption Route Will Work for You
You also need to determine the proper adoption route beforehand. The two main adoption routes are international adoption and domestic adoption. Domestic adoption includes infant adoption and foster care, and each type of adoption has its advantages and disadvantages. Children in foster care are usually older and of school age, while infant adoption typically includes newly born children.
If you go for international adoption, you may have less contact with the birth parents. With domestic adoption, you may have to remain in contact with the child's support parents after the adoption. For example, the birth parents may want regular updates about the child's progress and even want to meet.
4. Be Ready for Parenting Challenges
Raising an adopted child is different from raising your own biological child. You will face unique parenting issues, especially in helping the child understand their background. Also, if you also have biological children, you need to know how to integrate the adopted child into your family. Each adoption is unique, and the best strategy is to understand your weaknesses and strengths as a parent before beginning the process.
5. Establish Support
Many support groups exist in each state, and you're likely to find support near where you live. Don't be too shy to ask questions and connect with other adoptive parents and families. Also, prepare your family members for the adoption process and enlist their help to make the adoption a success. A strong support group helps the child integrate quickly and creates a permanent, loving family.
6. Understand the Legalities
Adoption is a legal process that involves the exchange of parental responsibilities and rights. You will have to provide many documents to the adoption agencies to process the adoption, so you may feel overwhelmed by the paperwork. For example, you have to provide your birth certificate, marriage license, and many other documents. The adoption agency may also require documents with details about your health, occupation, and income.
Some adoption agencies require adopting parents to provide contact information and details for references. Next, you have to fill out forms providing information about the type of child you want to adopt. Once you provide the information, the adoption agency may conduct a background check on you to determine if you have any convictions or legal problems.
If the whole process seems complex, you may need the help of an adoption lawyer. John D. Wieser Esq., PC, can help you navigate the adoption process and overcome any legal challenges. Contact us for more information.
