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What is Adoption About Today?

If you are planning to adopt a child, you have a lot to consider before taking that step. Not only will you have to evaluate your financial status, but you'll have to assess whether or not you are committed and able to raise and support this child for the next eighteen years, or possibly the rest of his or her life. However, once you understand the repercussions of your choice, you're likely to find adoption to be one of the most rewarding and valuable decisions that you will ever make.

Reasons for Adopting
Couples have a number of reasons for adopting a child, including adopting a child:

• as a sibling for an only child
• because a former child has died
• because the couple cannot conceive a child
• that is already born, rather than go through the pain of child birth
• to avoid passing along genetic disease that is prevalent in the family.

Planning To Adopt
If you are considering adoption, be sure that you fully research the process so that you understand what to expect. While some adoption processes are fast, other, especially those that involve adopting infants, can take years. Because the adoption process can be so long and draining, one of the most important things to keep in mind when adopting is to remain positive.

If you find yourself getting frustrated with the process, talk to your adoption counselor, as they can help you circumvent roadblocks and learn how to cope with them.

When you are going through the adoption process, experts in the field and experienced adoptive families warn against limiting the category of children that you are willing to adopt. This will prolong the adoption process unnecessarily. Keeping an open mind and exploring all of the available options is important to helping the process go smoothly. 

Open Adoption
One of the choices involved in the adoption process is whether or not to have an open adoption, that is, an adoption in which the biological parents maintain contact with the adopted child. Consider this choice carefully.

While maintaining contact with biological parents can help the child understand more about him or herself, both parties involved should be aware that the transition phase will be not smooth or easy. (Even if you aren't thrilled about the idea of open adoption, remember that it is advantageous for medical reasons, especially when it comes to learning about potential genetic disorders or family medical history).

For example, after the step is taken, the adoptive parents may have mixed feelings about their role and how to act toward the child's biological parents. Communication is the key to a positive open adoption experience. The goal, of course, is to give the child in question a sense of continuity and security, so that he or she can truly thrive.

Where To Start
The following steps are generally part of the adoption process:

• Talk to your family: Discuss the possibility of adoption with your family and make sure that everyone is onboard with the idea. Include a detailed explanation of how things will change and what they should expect, so as to get the most honest response from them. It is especially important to make sure that your children fully understand and accept the idea, as they should be your primary concern.
  
  
• Decide what you want: Determine which type of adoption you want to complete, including the age of the child and whether or not you want an open adoption.
  
  
• Work out finances: Consider how you will cope with various adoption expenses. When working out the costs, don't forget to include short-term and long-term expenses, ranging from diapers and clothes to college tuition.
  
  
• Choose an adoption agency: This may include getting an adoption counselor, a facilitator and an attorney. When deciding whom you want to deal with, choose agencies and individuals that are accredited and with whom you feel comfortable.
  
  
• Fill out the necessary paperwork: You'll likely have mounds of forms to fill out. Your adoption counselor and/or attorney can be extremely helpful during this part of the process.
  
  
• Take parenting classes: Whether you are a new or experienced parent, taking parenting classes can teach you how to cope with bringing an adopted child into your family.
  
  
• Be matched with a child: If you live close to the child (or pregnant mother), take steps to get to know him or her so that you can adequately prepare your household for him or her. If the child lives far away, make a trip out to meet him or her, or, if finances don't permit, strike up correspondence.
  
  
• Finalize the adoption: This usually requires signing some final paperwork. You will likely have an adoption counselor checking in with you and the child frequently in the first year of the adoption to evaluate how well the blended family is coming together.

Of course, you should also be aware that adoption law varies from state to state and country to country. Details about the differences between laws are available from your State Adoption Specialist (for local information) and from the US State Department for international adoptions. Always deal with the original source of this information to get the most up-to-date data.

Right before and during the beginning of having the adopted child in your home, try to contact others who have adopted through the same agency or from the same country. The key is to try to find an adoptive situation that somehow similar to your chosen method to create a support system for yourself as you deal with the challenges of adoption. Check your local community centers, as they are likely to offer regular support groups for adoptive parents.

In the end, your knowledge of your own expectations and limitations will guide you in taking this important step for yourself and your family. Follow your instincts, and be certain that you are comfortable with the ethics of those who are working with you to reach your goal.

Adoption Expenses
According to an Adoptive Families cost survey done in 2005, the average initial expense for adopting a child was between $20,000 and $25,000. However, this estimate can be reduced by federal tax credits and employee adoption benefits. The survey also concluded that most domestic newborn adoptions cost less than $20,000 while more than 75 percent of international adoptions cost more than $20,000. The discrepancy in cost is most likely due to the costs of traveling.