Adopting children is a wonderful way of creating a family. So, today I’m sharing parenting tips on how to adopt children. There are over 400,000 children in foster care so you will be giving a child a loving home. There are some things you need to know before you make the very important decision to adopt a child.  First, the adoption process is long and it can get complicated.  Second, it will play with your emotions.

Furthermore, the process can be costly too. However, becoming a parent is a wonderful thing. There are several ways to go through the adoption process.  So, you can work with an adoption agency that will take you through the foster care system or you can opt for adoption through an attorney. Going through an attorney you have two choices, either through the foster care system or you can adopt internationally. Before deciding on which option to choose let’s go through what you need to know before deciding to adopt.

How to Adopt Children:

Understand Why You Are Adopting

Choosing to adopt a child is a decision that will steer the rest of your life. It is an important decision and one that should be thought through in detail. Being honest about your reasons, the impact a child will have on you and your current family should be discussed. Things to consider also include whether you wish to adopt a new-born or whether you are open to adopting an older child. What about a sibling group? What changes do you need to consider for your home or your career? Knowing the reasons for adopting and working through these questions will help you come to a decision. At the end of the day you want to be happy and you want to be able to raise happy kids. 

Preparation

Each respective adoptive parent will be required to complete what is known as a home study. This means a caseworker will visit, and decide whether you will be suitable for adopting a child. Your caseworker will go over the process in detail and discuss how it works. This can be lengthy, and take up to six months to complete.  Also, they will want to check out your medical records, your income, and whether you have a criminal record. 

Costs

Research the costs involved in adoption. While adopting through the foster care system is free, there are associated costs. Using an attorney if you are considering adopting internationally would more than likely be the most expensive option. It is best to find inquire about costs for all avenues so you can plan what you can afford and what route you wish to go down. 

Open or Closed Adoption

The decision on whether to have contact with the birth family is a matter you also consider. The adoption can be closed where there is no contact or open where there is contact with the birth family. This can be a negotiation if this is the way you wish to go. It can also be anything from exchanging letters a few times a year or just receiving a birthday card. Knowing you have different options will be helpful as you go through the adoption process.