New to the Adoption process

Capricornbaby80

I recently started the adoption process and I am very excited about it. I have no children at this point and I am 28 years old. Is there any advice that any of you ladies can give me? Like what to expect and so on.

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Adoption for Dummies is the most helpful book I've read!  It will help you decide what kind of adoption you want to pursue and what to expect.

nisems

I'm new to the process too, (our first homestudy meeting is next week), so I don't have a lot of advice just yet, but wanted to say welcome!

jacksjerseygirl

Are you adopting domestic or international? Have you selected an agency?

 I am 28 as well, DH and I are adopting a domestic newborn. We are working with an agency and plan to be active in march.

I would recommend reading and educating yourself about adoption, adopted children - there are many great books from viewpoints of birth parents, adoptees, adoptive families, psychologists, sociologists about adoption and adoptive children. Not to mention the general adoption books.

Education is power. Good luck!

BurkeJax

Welcome and good luck...PP had great advice.

CaptainSerious

Hi, and welcome to the board...and adoption!

The first thing you?ll have to do is decide what kind of adoption ?fits? your family best.  Books like "Adoption for Dummies" or "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Adoption" will get started, give you lots of basic information on adoption and the process, and help you narrow down your answer to that question. Another good book is "The Complete Adoption Book."

If you decide that domestic adoption is right for your family, you?ll need to find a good agency.  I highly recommend researching any agency you are considering to make sure it abides by ethical standards.  For domestic agencies, a great place to look them up is on the yahoo group called "AARD" (Adoption Agency Research ? Domestic).  That group is dedicated to giving honest feedback on agencies.  You can ask about the agencies you are interested in directly, and also search their archives and files.

If you choose international, you?ll then need to pick from which country. The US Department of State's website lists the requirements to adopt from each country (https://snipurl.com/2patx).  Once you've made your country choice, you'll need to find an agency that has a program specializing in adoptions from that country.  The yahoo group "Adoption Agency Research" is a phenomenal resource for vetting agencies, and works the same way as ?AARD.?

Good luck!  Feel free to ask us anything or lean on us along the way.  It's a long, emotional process, and I've found that this board provides awesome support!

speak-ez

Welcome and congrats on the start of your adoption! Where are you at in the process? Domestic or international?