Should I wait to Adopt a child?

Question

It is my life goal to adopt. Though I am only 20 I would like to start the adoption process as soon as I turn 21. I have been researching all types of adoption for 3 years and believe I am emotionally and financially ready to provide for a child. I am still in college and single (a man isn't in the near future either). What should I do? Will I be able to adopt at such a young age?

Answer 1

In this world where anything goes, I am sure you would be able to legally do it, but should you? NO WAY. No child deserves to be raised with a too young, unmarried, mother. It needs to be about them, not about the mother. Every child deserves a chance in life, and I suggest you get a secondary education, and forget it.  

Answer 2

Adopting a child is a very rewarding step to take and I can only encourage you to do it, if you think it is the right thing to do, even if you are not married or by yourself. BUT I would wait a couple more years. You might be mature enough but you are still very young.

When I was 27 I was longing for a baby soooo much, but circumstances dictated that my husband and I had to wait 3 more years. Was it hard at 27 to push it back - YES - am I now happy I did - YES! Children take out sooo much of your time as they should and deserve and you are still in school. Finish school first, live a little and then adopt. This way you will also have more experiences to offer your child.

Even though you might think right now, you know how demanding children are - really you don't. I don't mean to be condesending, I was convinced (as was my husband), that we had a very good idea what to expect. We did in some way, but it went way beyond that and you are going to invest way more emotions and time, than you can think of right now.

Do you have other support people as well, your family, friends? How will you handle taking care of a child, school and your life? These are all important questions to think about before hand.

Like I said, it is a great decision you have made and I wish you all the best and good luck, whatever you decide to do right now.

Answer 3

yes as long as you can support your adopted child and love'em and provide a good home it will be all good.

Answer 4

i think you need to wait untilget out of college and get a  good place to live and a good job  so you can give ur child all the needs !!! If  you do adopt a child make sure you can do ur class online at home so that you can spend moretime wit her/his!

Answer 5

ermm im 14 and preggers i thought i have found the perfect couple but did not work out,but im in london n u sound as if ur in America or something

im 3 n a half months gone so yeah it will be hard but i suppose i have a lil time to find a loving person for her/him.

but as long as u have the love to give a baby and financially scure i think ur ready !! :))

Answer 6

This is a wonderful life goal.  However, you need to think what is best for both of you.  I would recommend waiting a couple more years, maybe until 23.  You would be more fnancially secure, you  would have 'lived' your life as a single person and  gotten to know yourself more.  There is a change in maturity/understanding between 20 and 23.    And, with your strong commitment for adoption, waiting a bit to ensure the best for the child and yourself should not be a problem.  

If you are not willing to wait, do you have a good support system?  Family nearby that can help, or true friends?  Raising a kid for couples who do not have extended support is difficult, so for a single parent, even more.