Adopting a Child

With the recent tragedies in Haiti and Chili, many families are considering adoption as a way to help children who were orphaned as a result of these earthquakes. Adoption is no longer just for couples struggling with fertility issues. Here are a few things that every family should know when considering adoption as an option.

1.  Domestic or International Adoption? Which is right for you? You will want to consider:

a. the costs of both (costs can range from a low of $11,000 to a high of $40,000 or more)

b. the wait time (depending on the country and child chosen, wait times can be significant, or, in times of urgent need for placement the wait time can be minimal)

c. the number of children available

d. medical and social history

e. legal concerns of each process

2.  If choosing a domestic option, the next decision you need to make is whether you will choose private adoption (newborns/babies), foster child (older children and siblings) and whether you have a preference of choosing a child with the same ethnic background as yourself, or if you are prepared to raise a child from an ethnic or racial background different than yours. You have already, or may want to, consider adopting a child with special needs. Many times, the costs associated with adopting special needs children are lower and wait times are shorter.

3.  Determine who will assist your family with the adoption (licensed private agency, independent attorney, or facilitated/unlicensed agency adoption). Adoption laws vary from state to state and are constantly changing. It is recommended that parents looking to adopt hire an attorney to help them with the details of the process.

4.  Once you’ve done your research and have determined which options are best for you, you will want to begin the adoption process. While the process is slightly different for domestic than it is for international adoption, the process is essentially as follows:

f. Make contact with an adoption specialist who can answer all of your questions and concerns.

g. After you have researched which adoption service or agency you are planning on using, request an information packet.

h. Create an adoption plan (some things you’ll need to consider are whether or not you will want an open adoption, where the birth parents will continue to have contact with you after the baby is legally yours, or a closed adoption).

Some adoption resource websites: www.adoption.org, www.adoptuskids.org, www.adoption.com, adoption.state.gov, www.holtinternational.org, www.allforchildren.org

Towards the end of the adoption process, families should think about their childcare needs. Families may chose to hire a nanny including a live in nanny or live out nanny, find an au pair, work with a day care center, or stay home with the child. Each family has different reasons or circumstances for choosing to go back to work, to work from home, or stay at home with the newly adopted child. Whatever your decisions and circumstances are, work with your childcare provider to make the transition into your home a smooth one for your new family member. Another option for you is to hire a summer nanny that will stay with you over the summer months for temporary employment.