November is Adoption Month and I love talking about adoption! Just one year ago, my husband and I were blessed with a precious baby when her birth mom chose to make an adoption plan!
With today being National Adoption Day, I wanted to make a few recommendations in regards to preparation for adoption. This special blog is dear to my heart because I have had the privilege of answering questions for others in my life on their own journey to adoption.
Be prepared to do a lot of research and paperwork! But also know, once you have your baby, it was all so worth it.
1. Are you looking to adopt a newborn baby or an older child? Are you looking to adopt domestically or internationally? For international adoptions, you'll want to find out the particular regulations they have for adoptive parents. Are you looking into private adoption or looking to be a foster parent? Do you want an open adoption, semi-open or closed adoption? These are some terms and questions to research and it will help you know which path you want to take.
2. If you choose domestic adoption, as we did, you'll want to start looking at adoption agencies, adoption lawyers, and agencies that can conduct home studies. A home study is a major first step towards adoption. You'll fill out a lot of paperwork and a social worker will conduct a home visit. Once all of this is complete and you pass, you can be considered for adoption situations.
3. You can start working on a profile book. There are companies who can help with the layout or you can design your own. The profile book is shown to an expectant parent wanting to make an adoption plan. Your profile book will help show who you are. It is helpful to have a PDF version on hand too.
4. You will probably need to do even more research before choosing the adoption agency or lawyer you want go do with. Are you in a financial state to travel outside of the country for an extended stay? How about outside of your home state? Are you aware of the various conditions a baby can be born with? Are you willing and prepared to educate yourself on how to best support your baby? Do you have a pediatrician chosen and can you meet with her to ask about some possible conditions a baby might be exposed to while in the womb? Ultimately, you will have to choose some preferences and it is okay to make those decisions. You are making a lifelong commitment and you need to be the absolute best parent(s) to your baby in order to help him or her thrive.
5. Find some support groups in your community. My husband and I went to a couple of meetings at our church to find out information. We read some books, listened to some podcasts, talked with others. We shared our story during the process and had a lot of support from family and friends. Our social worker has a private facebook group where questions and ideas are posted. Waiting to be chosen as adoptive parents can be a long and trying process, or it might be smooth and quick. No family ever has the same journey!
And this is all before a baby or child is even in your sight! One year after having the opportunity to adopt our baby, I can tell you that all the prep work was well worth it. I wish you the best on your journey!
Here is one of the books I read that you might find help: Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew by Sherrie Eldridge.
