My son and daughter in law are looking at adopting a child in the next couple of years.?

Question

What sources of information would be good for them to look at. They would like to adopt a child under 3, as their eldest is only 5, and I know they don't mind at all what race/background etc the child comes from. They do want to help a child most genuinely in need, so what would be the best type of adoption for them?

Also, can you adopt if you already have children who are biologically yours (they have 3)?

Answer 1

If they're looking 'to help a child most genuinely in need', they can contact their local social services to learn about foster care.

Answer 2

Yes, you can certainly adopt if you have biological children in the home. I would suggest that they foster.  With foster parenting, they will more than likely be matched with an older child who they may be able to adopt. Also, by fostering, this may give them some experience on how the family will come together, and also experience some challenges along the way as well. Make sure they do their research. They will have many more challenges based on already having biological children.  Suggestions are for them to read, attend adoption seminars hosted by agencies, do research on the net, etc. Adoption is not as easy as Just adopting. They also should begin to research what will be required in a home study and begin getting their affairs in order for that.

Answer 3

Contact your local Department of Health and Human Services and go through the process to become a pre-adoptive home for foster children.  You can then start recieving placements for children who meet your specifications and need homes.  It doesn't mean you will get to adopt the first one that comes through the door but what a lesson to teach the other children: that everyone deserves a  home and to be loved!

Answer 4

I would agree with looking at foster care.  There are so many children who are already in the system, waiting to find good homes, especially permanent ones.

If you are in the U.S, I believe adoptions can be made through the foster care system, which is run by the state department of family and children's services (whatever they may be called).

A good place to start would be to contact the relevent department, attend an information session, and have an info package sent out to them.

Then they can browse through them at their leisure, and decide if they truly want to move forward with applying, and make an initial contact with a social worker who can begin the application process and answer any further questions they might have.

They can also do some of their own research, such as reading up on foster care stats, attend the voluntary training as well as the compulsory course training, and just generally read up on the issues and behaviours, etc, that many children come into care with.

There's also other types of adoptions obviously, but I have no experience with those, and in my honest opinion fostering is the way to go.  And you can adopt, or have the children permanently in your care, so no need to worry that they'll bounce around the system if they're not returned to the bio parents.

Good luck to your son and dil, I wish them all the best  :=)