Is Adoption Right for You?

Is adoption right for you? Find out by answering these five questions. They will help you see if you have the potential of taking a stranger into your home and making him part of your family. Answer honestly, so you don't make a mistake that will not only negatively impact you, but a young life.

1. Do you forgive easily? The first six months of most adoptions are heavenly. Why? The adoptee performs his version of the "perfect child." However, after this time period ends and he relaxes, his true personality emerges. Then, you begin to see the scars from his past abuse - sexual explicitness, anger issues, and rebellion. Your new addition to the family will test you and you will have to forgive him over and over again in order to build a decent relationship. Only open hearted people who forgive easily should adopt.

2. Is your entire family onboard? Adoption isn't right for you if your entire family is not onboard. You need your husband/wife and children to back you and be equally excited about adding a new addition to the family. This reality holds true for single people too. Your support system needs to be 100% onboard or you will find them making up excuses when you need help. Only adopt when the significant others in your life are with you and will help provide a warm and welcoming environment for an adoptee.

3. Are you financially sound? This question is an obvious one. If you can't financially take care of yourself, you shouldn't adopt. Adopted children often need a lot of care and attention ranging from regular counseling to special schooling. All of these services cost money. To do an adoptee justice, money should not be an issue for you. You should have your bills under control, savings and investments. This way, you can meet your adopted child's needs and give him the type of life he deserves.

4. Can you make time for another child? Not enough hours in the day? Adoption isn't right for you. In general, children require lots of time. They are like flowers in a garden. If you don't water them regularly and tend to their soil, they die. Only adopt when you have plenty of free time to raise a child, one with unique issues. You want to be available for long talks, school events, fun outings, doctor appointments - you get my drift.

5. Is your motivation for adoption pure? Over the past decade, adoption has become very popular. Celebrities are traveling to foreign countries and bringing home babies like trophies. This trend has also affected the masses. So, it's important to ask yourself why you really want to adopt. Your reason should have more to do with helping another human being than fulfilling some weird need of your own. The proper motive will ensure you more success.

Still think you are ready to adopt? Use these five questions as a sounding board. If you are off on any of them, don't adopt. You will not only damage your life, but the one of a young person. You don't want that kind of mistake on your conscious.

Also see:
Reconnect With Your Child
Signs Your Child Is A Hoarder