In other order of most important things you can do in your life, having and raising children ranks the highest. There is simply no greater gift nor responsibility. Having the blessing of being able to bring a new life into the world and teach him or her all of the things that life has to offer, how to be a responsible person and to prepare them for the world they will inherit will often be our greatest challenge and reward.
Unfortunately many in life find that they either cannot have children, want to bring children into their home that they did not birth for a number of different reasons, or are a same sex couple making having their own kids not possible. In this case they may look to adopt and raise a child they did not have biologically but can love just as much.
There are many children who are in situation where they do not have parents or a legal guardian capable of caring for them. They may be in foster care, living temporarily with a relative or in a hospital if they are just born. In either case, they need a loving family to take them in as their own and make them a part of that family.
But adoption is long, complicated and often filled with disappointments. When it works out that a family looking to adopt finds a child to adopt and it all goes through legally, it is a beautiful thing. But for the family adopting they need to fully understand the process of adopting a child and the rue responsibilities they will have when they do it. Here are some things to think through and some insights for a family looking to adopt:
Be Clear About Why You Want to Adopt
Taking on the responsibility of raising a child is a lifelong responsibility. Yes that child will grow up, but may not be able to take care of him or herself physically or emotionally, so you need to take a sober look at what you are doing and why. Is this a response to some physical condition prohibiting you from having kids? Do you feel bad about the state of the world where so many kids are without a loving home? These both are good reasons perhaps to investigate adoption, but the only reason you adopt is because you love the child you find and cannot imagine your life without him or her. So before you decide, you need to investigate the process and see what kids you can bond with. If not you may find that over time fall out of love with the idea of having an adopted child, and have a child you never really wanted.
Be Clear About Your Capabilities as a Parent
You may believe you are ready to adopt any child that needs a home, but that is rare. You need to adopt a child that you can be a great parent for. Many children seeking homes are disabled physically or mentally, or have mental or behavioral issues. These children need special parents who are prepared and capable to devote the time and energy to ensure they are best cared for. If this is not you, then you need to be honest about it. To bring the wrong child into your home can damage you and the child.
The best way to approach adoption is to work with several agencies that handle the process. At the center of these groups are lawyers that specialize in the legal aspects adoption. Practices like Marrison Family Law can guide you through the process and help you to understand what needs to happen and the legal aspects of your decision. In the end, you will know everything you should to make a good decision about whether to bring a new child into your home.
