10 Tips For Couples Considering Adoption
Adoption is a wonderful thing, a beautiful gift that you are giving a young life. It also is one of the most challenging experiences a couple can be put through and in a way, it’s needed to ensure the child is going to a safe and loving home. You can easily find rules and regulations as well as what to expect for starting the process of adoption. What we are focusing on today is what you need to consider if you’re thinking about adopting a child.
In some situations, you may not know the child or family, in some you might. Regardless of why or how this opportunity is available to you, you need to know if it’s the right choice for you because it will put you through a lot of stress. Parenting is its own challenge, but adoption is a rigorous process that can be emotionally challenging, especially for a young couple.
What To Know About Adoption
The best advice you are going to be given when adopting a child is to always ask for advice from someone who has experienced the process and knows what you are going through. There were things they knew before starting, there are things they were surprised to learn during. You want all that knowledge and wisdom as quickly as possible. Here are some other tips:
- Every state is different: The first thing you need to know is that your state is different. That’s right, Arizona is different when it comes to adoption than other states and you need to not only make sure anything you research is specific to your state but also work with agencies and attorneys in your state as well.
- This is a financial decision as well as a personal one: People always say that adoption is expensive, and it is. There are so many things you have to get done and yes, they cost money. However, the real reason they say that is because adoption also is about how strong you are financially. Your finances are reviewed, and the agency has to know you are financially able to provide a stable home and life for the child.
- Stability is key: Stability in your finances is only part of the equation. You need to show a stable home, home life, work life and more. You need to show that this child is going to have a foundation around them where they are safe.
- Patience will be needed: You will literally feel like you have five minutes to do everything on your side and everything on theirs takes months. It’s not really that way but the process does take time and can be stressful.
- Start doing your homework, there’s a lot: Again, you’re going to need to know a lot about the rules and regulations, state laws and so forth. Who do you need to contact during this process and for what? What state agency do you have to contact and what specific form do you need from them? You have to get so much done and you do not want to waste time.
- Get into adoption groups and talk to others: Experienced advice always helps, and social media is a great place to meet parents who have adopted children before and can offer their guidance.
- Pick a legal team to help you: Experience with a lawyer is also a benefit. Work with a lawyer who handles adoption in Arizona and can offer you, their guidance.
- Stay organized: Do you like managing paperwork and hundreds of emails a day? It’s something you should get used to. Every single piece of paperwork you will need throughout this process, and there’s a lot, will have to be kept the entire time. You’re not throwing stuff out after you get it in the mail. You need to stay organized and know dates, protocol, who you need to contact and when. This will be a full-time job.
- Therapy is highly recommended for older kids: If you are adopting a young child or baby you will want to get some guidance on handling the process when they are older and communicating about how you became a family. If you are adopting older children, four years or older, therapy may not be a bad idea. It’s good to have a therapist involved in the process and someone the child can talk with.
- Make sure it’s what your partner really wants: Adopting a child is stressful and if you and your partner are not both 100% committed it will be difficult on your relationship. Talk about it and see how each of you feels.
Yes, once it’s completed, the process of adoption is well worth it. The best way to be prepared is to look at what you have to get done to begin the process. If you are ready to go through all that work and waiting, then you are ready. Hire the right team to assist you and guide you as well.