Adopting at too young an age???

Question

i'm 16 right now. my life plan is to go to college and become a vet. it will take 8 years so i should be finished w/ it by the time i'm 26. i want to be a young mom but i'm determined to adopt a little 8 year old girl. is it too early for me to adopt her when i'm 28? i want 2 years to be sure i'm stable enough to handle a child so i think 28 is perfect. will an agency allow me to do this? is 28 too young? i don't really know much about adopting, but i do want to know what you think. thanks!

Answer 1

You have sooooo much time to plan this.......

The best thing you can do to prepare to be a parent?  Work on your education, work on you!  Then after you get where you want educationally, personally, and are mature, adopt!

But, FYI -- you cannot order up an 8 year old like it is a puppy!  You have to QUALIFY to adopt, and then the Social Worker approves you for the age, s*x, and health of the child, as well as the number of children you are able to adopt.  Age 28 us fairly young to adopt, but not impossible.  Most adoptive parents are in their mid to late 30's.  

Keep up the great plans for yourself!!

Answer 2

You rock, girl. Seriously.

I love that you know what you're going to do with your life!

As long as you have a home, you're finacially secure, and you know you will be a good parent, 28 should be just fine.

Good luck!

Answer 3

That's not too young at all. A person can adopt at age 21 and over. It's great that you want to make sure you have your life together before you put a child in the picture. I also plan on adopting after I am married to my boyfriend, but I am only 19 so I still have a ways to go also. I am adopted and you are going to change some childs life dramitcally! You are an awesome perso! Good luck with everything you do!

Answer 4

From my understanding of adoption agencies; they do not like to give out children to single individuals.   If there are many couples wanting to adopt a kid, they will give them to the couples before you, if you plan on staying single.

Statistics have shown that two people (a man and a woman), tends to create a better family environment for the child than a single individual.  

On the plus side, you have a lot better chance of adopting a child at 28 years old than a 28 year old man.   But you will still have a tough time getting a child if you are single.

If you are the only one taking care of the child, then the way they see it, you won't be able to show that child the attention that it needs because you will be busy with work, running errands, etc....   Two people splits the chores up and creates a better family environment.   Again, two people means (a man and a woman).   If you are dating the same s*x, then they won't give you the child, because that is just another thing to confuse the child with.

I just wanted to add, as long as you are married (man and woman), have a safe place that you call home, make the medium income for that particular year, and don't have a criminal history (that includes domestic disturbance), then you will *probably* get to adopt.    If you don't mind what ethnic background the child is from, they you should get a child.   If you are picky and want a particular ethnic race like a healthy white child, you may have to wait until your old and gray.

Answer 5

I do not think you will be too young to adopt at 28, but you will need to check with adoption agencies as different agencies and states (as well as country programs if you're thinking of adopting internationally) have different age restrictions.

I think it's great that you want to adopt and are already thinking about it! And the other good thing is that when you _are_ 28 if you still need some time (to work on getting your career going or something) you can always wait--there will still be children who would love to have you for a mom. :-)

Last, don't be put off by people who say you'll have a hard time adopting if you're single. Not true. Yes, if you're doing international adoption some countries won't allow it. But many will and you can also adopt U.S. kids as a single mom.

Good luck with everything!

Answer 6

I have to commend you for both thinking through all the things you need to have in place before bringing a child into your life AND for being interested in an older child that others may see as "unadoptable".

28 is ideal. You are young enough to be active in and enjoy your child's life but old enough to have a stable foundation.

Kudos to you! Too bad more birth parents didn't think things through so well!!

Answer 7

My husband and I just adopted a little girl, I am 24 and he is 30.

Answer 8

I would not make adoption plans 12 years in advance. You will likely change your mind. However, if you do not, yes, young, single women can adopt older children. When you are ready, contact the Children's Services of the county CPS office for adoption information.

Answer 9

I think that 28 should be fine to adopt an eight-year-old!  If you were having biological children, it is certainly possible to have a baby at the age of 20, so your adopted child would have been born in your 20th year if she is 8 when you are 28.  I think she'll be delighted to have a young mom!  And yes, an agency will allow you to do this, as long as you can provide a stable, loving home and adequate financial support.

Answer 10

well honestly rite now is to young but waitin till ur 28 will be better for ya but to tell you this now they wont let a single parent adopt a child you have to be with sumone to beable to adopt a child and im gonna tell you rite now its not gonna be a easy thing to do but before u even go ahead with doing that i would be doin alot of researching on it

Answer 11

La mayoría de los estados y de la agencia, así como la mayoría de los países quisieran que usted fuera 21-25 o aún 30 a adoptar. Pienso que es un buen plan y bueno para usted para realizar hay ya niños en necesidad.

Sorry I like to pratice my Spainsh, English translation.

Most states and agency, as well as most countries want you to be 21-25 or even 30 to adopt. I think it is a good plan and good for you for realizing there are already children in need.

Answer 12

We started the process to adopt our first child when I was 25, and adopted our second child when I was 27. Although a few countries and domestic agencies require you be 30yrs +, most agencies will happily work with somone in there mid-late twenties.

Answer 13

As long as you are able to provide a stable loving home and you pass all of the psychological, physical and financial examination then you have a shot.

Cudos on wanting to adopt and older child.

Answer 14

You'll meet all the requirements, but you'll catch h**l about being single. Your best bet is going to be going international. And keep in mind an 8 year old girl might not be available at that time.

Answer 15

The United States requires prospective adoptive parents to be atleast 25 years of age.

When applying to adopt, they will make sure you meet the legal requirements of the adoption program you intend to use (private, international, Foster Care), including age.  

They will look to make sure you are stable-emotionally, financially, etc.

SINGLE PEOPLE CAN ADOPT!  Private domestic adoption of healthy infants can take years, and is often a longer process for single parents but THEY CAN ADOPT!  ESPECIALLY if they go international or through Foster Care!

And, contrary to other posts made here, you can also stipulate what kind of child you wish to adopt, so far as gender, age, etc.  There are MANY older children in the US Foster Care system that need homes, and if you feel like you can best provide for a little girl around eight years old they will certainly work with you to meet your needs.

We have two biological children (including a 9 year old daughter that aspires to be a vet, BTW) and another on the way and we intend to adopt one or two little girls from China in the relatively near future.  China's requirements are that both parents be 30 years of age (and, unfortunately, no singles).  But they also have a program for special needs children, that include children that have nothing "wrong" with them, they are just older than the AYAP (as young as possible) and 4 and below's that most people seek to adopt.

And, for those that said NO SINGLES-what makes them think you will definitely still be single by that time?

I send my best wishes to you, in regards to not only your adoption but your goal to be a vet.  Both are difficult endeavors, but it sounds like you are a very smart, mature young girl and I pray you are happy!

Answer 16

Hey pearl, I have also been thinking of adopting a little boy when I am of age and I am dead serious on it. Don't know about marriage though.

Anyways, I think 28 would be okay if you have the financial means of bringing up her up and giving her the best in life. I have also thought of waiting till I am 28 or 29.

I feel that you are doing the right thing and may you be happy always when you do adopt in future. For now, just go ahead and work your way to being a vet.

Ok, so here's a little advice about adoption. I don't know which country you're from but do some research on the laws of adoption in your country. All countries have their own laws so make sure that you are not doing anything illegal. Make sure to check the history of the agency and make sure that they are a "legal" agency.

In my country, persons 25 and over can adopt but even then, the person's home environment, annual income, attitude and age will be taken into consideration. Also, the child should be at least 21 years younger than the person as only adults can be parents.  So let's say I am able to adopt a boy at 28, the child should be 7 years old at the most. (this is how it works in my country)

Another advice I would give is to talk to parents who have adopted kids especially those with kids of different nationality. If you intend to adopt a child from a different country, the process would be long and tedious and full of anxiety at times.

When considering adoption, you could try seeking legal advice from attorneys practising family law as they would be able to help a great deal in getting all the legal documents ready and offering opinions etc.

Also, talk to your parents and the people arond you about you wanting to adopt as some people may not be very supportive and support would help us a great deal.

Hope this helps. All the best in your future endeavours and good luck with college!