We've just decided to adopt . . . Info from those who already have, please.?

Question

Hello, I am looking for information from those who have been through the process (in Houston, maybe). My husband and I have decided not to go through with IVF and to adopt a little one instead. We want to be parents and have finally come to the conclusion that this can be done without being a child's birth parents. We're 25-28 yrs. old, $80K/yr, own home, 2 cars, 2 dogs, well educated . . . approx. how long does it take to adopt a little one and approx. what is the cost? Thanks

Answer 1

In addition to adoption agencies you should look into the foster care system in your area.  The cost to adopt from the foster care system is very inexpensive.

Also check out the website www.informedadoptions.com

Good Luck

Answer 2

Well I am an adoptee and the only advice I truly want to give you is this....whatever decisions you make regarding this child, make sure that you tell this child it is adopted.  I didnt find out until I was 25 yrs old and it hurt me very deeply that my mother would keep such a thing from me.  Not only that but my family insists Im different because I come from a different gene pool and therefore that means that there is something wrong with me.  Dont isolate the child whatever you do from becoming a part of your family.  I always knew something didnt quite match up because I always looked at things differently and there was never that mother daughter bond with my mom that I now have with my own biological daughter.  If the child wants to search for their parents, allow them to do it.  Everyone has a right to know about themselves.  Not necessarily about their parents but themselves and what it is that makes them who they are.  Dont try to change the child into becoming what you want or wish that it should be.  Each child is unique whether you gave birth to it or if it was adopted and they should be allowed to express that throughout their life.  These are things that were taken from me in my childhood because of my adoption and it has truly taken its toll on me as an adult.  What amount of money you make means nothing.  Its what amount of love and nurturing and a sense of belonging that you can give that child that matters the most.  You could be dead broke and have the best childhood.  I was never denied any material thing I ever wanted and was raised in a family that did very well financially but I always felt alone and never really felt that I fit in anywhere.  Then I found out why.  Dont do that to the child you adopt.  Life is confusing enough as it is.  Dont confuse him/her any more than what life will do to it.  Thank you for letting me share.

Answer 3

Congrats to you for considering adoption.  I would highly recommend speaking to a local reputable adoption agency or foster care program that can discuss all of the different adoptions and the requirements for each.  Some countries have their own rules, each state has its own set of regulations, and many agencies have their own rules above & beyond the state.  

The best advice however that I can provide you as an adoptive mom who suffers from infertility is to grieve your loss of pregancy before beginning the adoption process.  It was the best advice given to me before we adopted, and it was so true.  Infertility is a loss.  I never fully got over it because it is a loss, but I was able to grieve the fact that I would not be pregnant or carry a child to term.  It is very important that you focus on yourself and your husband before starting the adoption journey.  

Good luck to you.

Answer 4

start looking around at adoption agencies in your area on the internet. i have also just started the process. depending on which agency and where you want to adopt from it can me very inexpensive to adopt a "waiting child" if you are talking about international adoption base on my research the last several weeks it can cost $11,000-$ 27,000. time it takes also depends on the country, based on my research the countries in africa take the shortest amount of time while asain countries seem to take the longest.   it can be between 4months- 3 yrs depending on the agency and country.   good luck!  i am so excited to start the process and i am sure you are too!

Answer 5

http://www.nancyverrier.com/

http://www.quantumparenting.com/docs/wsg...