Wanting to adopt an infant? Where to begin?

Question

Hi, I am a single wannabe mom in about two to three years. Financially, emotional support, age wise, etc - I'm good to adopt. My poor grandmother finally offered up (out the blue!) that I should just go for it!

Where should I begin? Am I on the right time table? I would imagine that domestic is a little less stressful than overseas.

Answer 1

It depends whether you want to adopt locally, nationally, or internationally. Some countries do not allow single parents to adopt with China being an example.

Would you consider fostering to adopt?

I suggest going to a local foster agency, I'm in Canada so it is different from the states but, going and talking with a resource worker could get you started in applying if you were willing to foster to adopt.

Sorry I cannot offer more help. Also, I watch many adoption shows and many look online for different agencies.  

Answer 2

Nice that we are taking away babies from single mothers and letting single mothers adopt them.

It's such a bunch of hypocritical horse sh*t.

Answer 3

Start by getting a husband... then you can go to any adoption agency and they'll give you a baby.

Answer 4

Be sure to educate yourself about adoption.  Here are some reading suggestions for you:

* "Being Adopted: The Lifelong Search for Self" by Brodzinsky, Schecter, and Henig

* "Journey of the Adopted Self" by Betty Jean Lifton

* "The Primal Wound" by Nancy Verrier

Answer 5

While domestic is "less stressful" than going overseas, consider this;  American babies up for adoption are immediately snapped up just as soon as they become available, and thus there is a ridiculously long waiting period before you may find yourself able to adopt one, if ever.  I've heard stories of people waiting for years and years to adopt a child in the USA, only to be turned down or have the child go to someone else.  It really is THAT bad.

Is stress the only thing that makes you adverse to adopting a foreign baby?  Because you should know that if you really do want a child, infants from third world countries are always up for adoption and often get approved much more quickly.  There are places overseas that have literally dozens of children without families, of all ages, looking for a good home, and many never get the chance.  While you would certainly have to do a lot of travelling (one of the prequisites is that you go to the potential child yourself to visit at least once), ultimately you'd be giving someone a shot at a far better life than they would ever get the chance to have elsewhere.

I wish I could be of more help, but I just wanted to make sure you knew that adopting in the states isn't exactly painless either.

Answer 6

Why limit yourself to babies...aren't older children just as important or is this just about you.  I think you should really look at why you want to adopt before going after any children.